CATL's Sodium-Ion Battery: Better than Lithium?

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One factor that always needs to be included in statements of energy density, but almost never is, is the energy density at the totally integrated pack level. While this is hard to state with great precision because the variations of each individual installation, it is possible to identify features of a specific battery that will strongly impact the weight of the non-battery portions of the pack, such as thermal isolation to control thermal runaway of a single cell so it doesn't cause a cascading failure of the entire pack and the cooling system (which should include the weight of the cooling equipment outside the pack itself like cooling lines, coolant, pumps, radiators and fans). A new battery like these Na-ion might only have an energy density at the cell level of 180-200 Wh/kg while the latest Li-ion are up around 280 Wh/kg, but the high flammability of the electrolyte of the Li-ion battery and the accelerated degradation when cell temperatures are not tightly controlled result in a considerable addition to the total pack weight and a commensurate reduction in net energy density. If a new battery chemistry like this Na-ion cells doesn't have the flammability and thermal runaway issues and so don't require careful thermal isolation between every cell and if they can retain their charge capacity even at elevated temperatures, then a lot of weight can be eliminated from the battery pack. The result would be that the fully integrated net energy density could be much closer or potentially even superior to Li-ion batteries. And if the new battery is cheaper and/or has a longer cycle life, even if the pack energy density is still slightly lower, these types of batteries could still win out over Li-ion batteries in applications like large commercial vehicles which might be less sensitive to weight/range and more sensitive to total lifecycle cost and reliability/safety.

One major benefit of LifePo4 batteries over L-ion is that LifePo4 batteries are not subject to thermal runaway fires. There was no mention of this aspect of Na-ion. I see the lower cost of Na-ion or other non lithium technologies as a secondary driver. The primary driver is that by using them in stationary applications where density is not as critical, you can save the lithium for the applications where it does matter. For my residential solar, I could double the volume of my battery with little if any downside, and weight would only be relevant for shipping.

Considering how much of an EV is battery cost then 10-30% cost reduction on the batteries could absolutely be worthwhile. Even if the energy density is a little less.

Don't care about energy density because I need it as stationary power storage All I care is Life Cycles

We are proud of CATL, such a big leading EV battery maker in China.

For those wandering energy density of different Battery Chemistries for comparison: (in Wh/kg) LTO: 50-80 LCO: 150-200 LNMC: 150-220 LFP: 90-160 The sodium battery on this video presumably achieves 160Wh/kg, same as LFPs. Very nice indeed. PD: LTO = Lithium Titanate LCO = Lithium Cobalt Oxide LNMC = Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide LFP = Lithium Iron Phosphate

Thank you for producing this. Many people are unaware that while sodium ion batteries and calcium ion batteries are too heavy for electric cars, they are great for storing utility scale power where weight is unimportant. Also, I can't see how we could possibly run out of sodium!

I would imagine that CATL benefits from having in-house manufacturing know-how to help them come up with realistic costs and production modeling.

Another great video!! I'm also impressed that you found all that historical info on Na+ battery tech. Keep up the good work!

you have the best channel i've found in quite awhile. Best, meaning comprehensive view of diverse set of topics, i think pretty balanced, and engaging visuals

Very good audio and visual. Clear and concise. I look forward to your next video. Keep up the good work. This type of video is much appreciated.

Your videos keep getting suggested to me, and I click, enjoy, and decide to subscribe only to find that I'm already subbed. Compelling high quality content.

Very well presented with a pletora of essential details. Thanks!

When it comes to any battery based on crystalline structures it's always a question of doping. The Na-ion battery hasn't yet received the attention needed to test the wide range of doping capabilities possible. We know that some of the most efficient biological systems out there use sodium but the question is can we dope the salt crystal while still keeping it stable / and redesign the structure to accommodate the anode and cathode based on the direction of the lattice structure. I'm just a noob but if we can more easily control the structure of the lattice of the material in question then that would result in cheaper manufacturing I'd think. I hold to hope for this technology.

great presentation. its obvious you are very widely knowledgable with the state of battery evolution. yet you throw in light comments that make it easy to pay further attention . your style plus the material will have me coming back for more . and seeing what's already been released.

Another great video. I can see a rise in subscribers. You sure deserve good compensation for all the great research effort.

I like your content quite informative and educational in most cases, especially the insights into many industries and companies in the broader East Asia region...a suggestion I felt after watching this one is that maybe if you have the time, is for a video comparing new and upcoming battery technologies to Li-ion like the Solid states, the metal-air and other chemistries like Sodium-Ion....

after that Tesla grid storage Lithium battery just caught on fire in Australia, am not very inclined to have a Tesla Powerwall battery in the home. A less efficient, bulkier battery tech would be perfectly fine in that scenario if it offered much greater peace of mind so far as safety goes.

Very well explained. It’s a highly interesting technology for stationary purposes.