Iron-sodium battery technology is emerging as a promising alternative to Lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale energy storage. Developed using domestically abundant materials such as table salt and iron, these batteries offer a safer, cost-effective solution compared to their Lithium-ion counterparts.
The concept of iron-sodium batteries was first explored in the 1970s. The British company Beta Research initially developed the technology but pivoted to nickel-sodium batteries in the 1980s due to their higher energy density. Today, Inlyte Energy, led by Stanford researcher Antonio Baclig, is revisiting this technology to meet modern energy storage needs.
Inlyte’s approach focuses on cost rather than energy density, which aligns better with the requirements of utility-scale energy storage. Unlike Electric Vehicles requiring compact and high-powered batteries, power plants benefit from lower-cost materials and longer duration capabilities. Baclig stated, “We have to focus this on cost now. It’s not primarily about energy density.”
After partnering with Beta Research in 2022, Inlyte Energy scaled up the technology by creating ceramic tubes filled with powdered iron and salt. These redesigned cells store 20 times more energy than earlier iterations. Field testing on a 100-cell module demonstrated excellent performance. Baclig added, “That was our first module, and it just worked. We’re building on something with a long track record, so we don’t have to reinvent.”
Iron-sodium batteries are particularly appealing due to their low fire risk. Unlike Lithium-ion batteries, which use flammable electrolytes, iron-sodium batteries provide a safer alternative. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is straightforward, utilizing low-cost materials easily sourced domestically, an essential feature given today’s economic landscape.
Inlyte Energy has secured critical partnerships, including a contract with Southern Co. This utility provider plans to install an 80-kilowatt/1.5-megawatt-hour demonstration project in Alabama by the end of 2025. The project will test the battery’s long-term viability for grid-scale applications while paving the way for commercial deployment.
According to Ben Kaun, Inlyte’s chief commercial officer, “Iron-sodium batteries have this interesting feature where if you want to make a longer-duration battery, you just need to add more iron and salt.” Kaun highlighted that the cost-effectiveness of these batteries allows them to outperform lithium on certain metrics.
Inlyte Energy raised $8 million in seed funding in 2023 and acquired Beta Research’s U.K. facility to test and develop their technology further. They’ve also partnered with Horien Salt Battery to scale up production for an upcoming U.S.-based factory. Inlyte aims to reach gigafactory production levels, competing with Lithium-ion batteries for applications like load shifting and offering grid-scale storage solutions.
The success of iron-sodium battery technology could drive a shift away from finite lithium resources. With its efficient, low-cost production and the use of safer materials, iron-sodium batteries stand to play a significant role in renewable energy storage and the green transition.
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