cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/48958993
energy density of 175 Wh/kg
CATL explained that sodium-ion batteries have slightly lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries but provide distinct advantages in low-temperature performance, carbon footprint, and safety.
They are cheaper and the low temperature performance is better than LFP, but the round trip efficiency is less than LFP.
They also have better thermal stability, so less risk of uncontrolled fires.
AFAIK, LFP thermal runaway can’t start fires. NMC or other lithium chemistries can and they scare me, but LFPs are pretty damn safe. That being said, I’m still stoked for sodium chemistries to be developed. If the round trip efficiency issues can be solved, then I think it’ll be a great solution for residential power storage.
Question is… How much cheaper…
LFP is almost at the price point we could all have a freezer sized battery pack in our house, drastically changing the grid, and allowing a place for all that wind/solar to store energy.
If Sodium is a fair chunk cheaper, then it will totally be worth buying a house battery pack. Buying energy on the cheap at certain times of day, and using the battery when energy prices are high.
Potentially 1/10th the price according to this video I stumbled on about it a couple of days ago!
https://youtu.be/Wf84NJSiAeU
As long as the efficiency is outweighed by price, it could move us in the right direction. Hopefully we can pick up the efficiency in time. These would also be good for my future load-shifting (charge during off peak, low carbon electricity) and maybe solar system at home.