Sodium-Ion Batteries: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Storage

The world races to a future without fossil fuels. Demand for sustainable batteries increases rapidly. However, this rise also risks depleting crucial metals, like lithium and cobalt. These metals are essential for conventional battery types. A promising solution is Sodium-Ion Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage. They use abundant resources, such as table salt and forest biomass. Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden back this innovation. Sodium-ion batteries can rival lithium-ion ones in terms of climate impact. Additionally, they avoid the risk of material shortages.

Rickard Arvidsson, Associate Professor of Environmental Systems Analysis at Chalmers, emphasizes the importance of battery materials. “The materials we use in the batteries of the future will be important,” he states. These materials will shape the shift to renewable energy and fossil-free transportation.

The European Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Act anticipates soaring demand. As European countries shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles, this demand will rise exponentially. Lithium-ion batteries remain a more eco-friendly option compared to fossil-based technologies. However, limited lithium and cobalt sources present a significant challenge. These materials are mostly concentrated in only a few regions worldwide.

Chalmers’ researchers explored sodium-ion batteries as a promising alternative. These batteries use sodium from common table salt. They match lithium-ion batteries in climate impact but avoid material scarcity risks. Rickard Arvidsson highlights the potential, stating, “It’s clearly a promising technology.”

The researchers conducted a comprehensive life cycle assessment. They analyzed the environmental and resource impact of sodium-ion batteries. This assessment spanned from raw material extraction to the manufacturing process.

The findings reveal key advantages. Sodium-ion batteries outperform lithium-ion batteries in mineral resource scarcity impact. They also show similar climate impact levels, ranging from 60 to over 100 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents per kilowatt-hour of storage capacity. This suggests sodium-ion batteries are both sustainable and effective.

The researchers proposed strategies to lessen the climate impact of sodium-ion batteries. One key measure is developing an environmentally superior electrolyte. The electrolyte significantly contributes to the battery’s overall environmental footprint. By improving this component, the climate impact could be further reduced, making the technology even more sustainable.

A significant advantage of sodium-ion technology lies in the global abundance of its materials. The cathode, housing sodium ions as a charge carrier, and the anode, composed of hard carbon, can be produced from biomass from the forest industry, offering a renewable and sustainable source.

Sodium-ion batteries are already set for use in stationary energy storage within electricity grids. With further advancements, they could become crucial for electric vehicles. This technology addresses the rising energy storage demand, driven by growing wind and solar power sectors.

Rickard Arvidsson emphasizes the geopolitical advantages. “Batteries based on abundant raw materials could reduce geopolitical risks and dependencies,” he explains. This reduction benefits both battery manufacturers and countries, promoting energy independence and stability.

This study, funded by the Swedish Energy Agency through the Battery Fund Program, highlights sodium-ion batteries’ potential. These batteries could become essential in the global push for sustainable energy storage solutions. As the world transitions to a fossil-free society, material shortages pose significant challenges. Sodium-ion batteries present a hopeful alternative. They address resource scarcity while supporting a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Sanna Wickerts, Rickard Arvidsson, Anders Nordelöf, Magdalena Svanström, Patrik Johansson.Source: Prospective life cycle assessment of sodium‐ion batteries made from abundant elements – Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2023; DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13452.