Sodium Ion Batteries, they are here now

[Korishan]

Really interesting video on Sodium Ion batteries. As shown in the video they are actively in production and being deployed. A major area is Australia.
Cost reduction of manufacturing is up to 30% of LFP's (LiFePO4) batteries. They are also targeting smaller EVs like passenger vehicles in certain markets.

View: https://youtu.be/IBE0NADjSrE



The exciting thing about these kinds of techs is that a lot of existing batteries in the field will become available for reclaiming to be used in DIY applications. There's nothing wrong with most of these other existing technologies for home storage (and certain mobile applications). We can already get Tesla battery skids for really cheap from scrap yards. Just think if we'd be able to get a hold of more power storage as the car industries upgrade their tech and don't need the Lithium based materials anymore.

 

[harrisonpatm]

Really interesting video on Sodium Ion batteries. As shown in the video they are actively in production and being deployed. A major area is Australia.
Cost reduction of manufacturing is up to 30% of LFP's (LiFePO4) batteries. They are also targeting smaller EVs like passenger vehicles in certain markets.

View: https://youtu.be/IBE0NADjSrE



The exciting thing about these kinds of techs is that a lot of existing batteries in the field will become available for reclaiming to be used in DIY applications. There's nothing wrong with most of these other existing technologies for home storage (and certain mobile applications). We can already get Tesla battery skids for really cheap from scrap yards. Just think if we'd be able to get a hold of more power storage as the car industries upgrade their tech and don't need the Lithium based materials anymore.

Despite this video's statements, I'm not sure if the tech has the energy density of Na-ion batteries matching LiFePO4 quite yet, from, the different sources I've seen. Close though. Hopefully theyll soon reach energy density enough to fit in a car.

What's more exciting is how cheap they are, how plentiful sodium is, how much less combustible they are, and how much more recyclable they are than lithium. Especially for home storage; it doesn't need to be terribly energy dense if it's stationary.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsenergylett.0c02181

Edit: It had never occurred to me previously to look up what cycle life to expect from these. Depending on which source you read, looks like only 300-1000?

 

[Korishan]

Hopefully theyll soon reach energy density enough to fit in a car.

Yeah, that's why state station locations, homes, businesses, large vehicles I'm guessing they mean stuff like busses or rigs

Not sure on cycle life. Perhaps this company's design has extended the cycle count considering what they are saying they are to put in to.
Also, they state that the charge cycle is a larger curve than that of Li-Ion/LFP, meaning they can discharge further, which may give a longer runtime without too much damage.

Tbf, if you cycle a Li-Ion from 4.2 to 2.8V, then its cyclecount is in the mid to low hundreds as well. We usually don't think about this because our cycles are usually 4.1 to 3.4V, which helps push them well over 1000 cycles.

 

[1000kw-hunter]

I'm not sure if the tech has the energy density of Na-ion batteries matching LiFePO4 quite yet,

before lifepo we had li ion before that nimh--> cad--> all the way back to zinc bromine and lead acid.
I am very excited about the future, while i would like to go back to 1910....

 

[1000kw-hunter]

he exciting thing about these kinds of techs is that a lot of existing batteries in the field will become available for reclaiming

I think for us diy the price will be very important.
I like to play with secondhand cells and use them till they can do no more.
But despite the costs of new lifepo4 cells they are very cheap compared to second hand li ion.
Especially when i look at the service life and the self-life of those chems.
Dont forget the time it takes to test them.


If they can produce/sell there cells for a lower cost than lifepo, for sure i will move them in and quit buying lifepo4.
And still playing and building li ion and everything else i can get my hands on
Free - is - was - and - will - stay the magic word.