CATL sodium-ion BESS has moved from pilot validation to commercial reality. On June 22, 2026, CATL introduced its TENER Sodium Energy Storage System in Munich, Germany. The company described it as the world’s first field-validated Sodium-ion Battery energy storage system. More importantly, CATL said the platform now has commercial readiness across technology, manufacturing, and supply chain support.
As utilities add more renewable power and data centers lift electricity demand, long-duration storage becomes more valuable. Therefore, CATL positioned sodium-ion storage as a practical option for grid-scale projects. The company expects cumulative shipments to reach 1 GWh by the end of 2026. In addition, global deliveries are set to begin in June 2027.
CATL sodium-ion BESS brings a new option for grid storage
CATL built TENER Sodium on its latest sodium-ion battery platform. The system delivers more than 30 MWh of rated capacity. It also uses a fully modular design. As a result, developers can simplify project planning and speed up site deployment.
Each module weighs about 42 tonnes. For a 1 GWh site, operators need only 34 units. This lower unit count can simplify logistics and reduce on-site complexity. Moreover, CATL decoupled energy and power blocks. That design supports 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8-hour storage durations. Customers can therefore match the system to different grid and renewable use cases.
The modular setup also helps maintenance teams. If a fault appears, operators can isolate and replace a module independently. Consequently, the station can maintain stronger availability. At the same time, owners can lower operating costs and improve asset use.
CATL sodium-ion BESS improves efficiency and system control
CATL did more than package sodium-ion cells into a standard enclosure. Instead, the company built a station-level platform for this chemistry. First, CATL created a dedicated bidirectional voltage regulation system. Sodium-ion batteries operate across a wide voltage range, so this feature matters. The system can automatically boost voltage in the low-voltage range. As a result, the power conversion system can keep delivering strong output across the full operating range.
CATL said this design improves round-trip efficiency by nearly 2%. For a 1 GWh energy storage station, that can add millions of kilowatt-hours of electricity output each year. In addition, the platform works with major PCS products worldwide. That compatibility can support broader project adoption.
Second, CATL developed a battery management system tailored for sodium-ion storage. The BMS uses the chemistry’s sloping voltage curve for more accurate state-of-charge estimation. CATL also said sodium-ion batteries offer 20% more overcharge SOC tolerance than Lithium-ion batteries in this setup. Therefore, operators gain added flexibility and a wider safety operating margin.
CATL sodium-ion BESS cuts auxiliary power use and noise
CATL designed TENER Sodium to reduce operating overhead. The system uses a top-discharge airflow design. This layout removes thermal-island effects at the source. As a result, system heat generation drops by nearly 30% compared with conventional solutions.
CATL paired that design with an efficient liquid-cooling system. Together, these features reduce auxiliary power consumption from the industry average of 2% to 1%. For large, long-duration projects, that improvement can save millions of euros over time. Furthermore, the lower internal energy use supports better project economics.
The company also focused on acoustic performance. TENER Sodium operates at 65 decibels. That figure is 10 decibels below many conventional systems. Therefore, developers may find it easier to place storage closer to load centers. In turn, projects can reduce some transmission and distribution costs.
CATL sodium-ion BESS supports flexible deployment
Another key advantage is platform compatibility. CATL said TENER Sodium shares the same physical footprint as its LFP systems. The platform can use either sodium-ion or lithium-ion batteries without changing enclosures, redesigning projects, or repeating certification work. Consequently, customers gain more flexibility when planning procurement and future upgrades.
CATL also reserved an upgrade path to 2000V high-voltage architectures. That forward-looking option can help projects adapt as grid storage technology evolves. For developers, this means a system that fits current needs while supporting future expansion.
CATL sodium-ion BESS scales with manufacturing capacity
CATL has worked on sodium-ion battery research and development since 2016. Over the past decade, the company invested nearly €1.2 billion in the technology. It also involved more than 300 R&D professionals. During that time, CATL built more than 1,600 patent families and secured over 200 granted patents worldwide.
The company said it solved more than 100 technical issues and established a full manufacturing chain from materials to cells. Today, CATL has the capability to produce tens of thousands of tonnes of anode and cathode materials. In addition, it invested RMB 5 billion to expand sodium-ion production lines at its Fuding base, adding 40 GWh of annual capacity. The Jining base in Shandong has another 160 GWh of planned sodium-ion production capacity.
CATL said its mass-production lines are fully commissioned and operational. That readiness supports the next phase of market deployment. In China, the company plans to begin first customer deliveries in September 2026. By the end of 2026, cumulative shipments should reach 1 GWh. After that, international deliveries are scheduled for June 2027.
CATL sodium-ion BESS marks a major 2026 storage milestone
CATL strengthened its sodium-ion push in April 2026 when it signed a three-year, 60 GWh energy storage order with HyperStrong. The companies described it as the world’s largest sodium-ion commercial contract. That agreement signaled growing confidence in sodium-ion storage at scale.
Overall, CATL now positions sodium-ion and lithium-based systems as complementary foundations for future energy storage. TENER Sodium gives utilities, developers, and grid operators a new commercial tool for large-scale storage. With field validation complete and deliveries approaching, CATL has turned sodium-ion battery energy storage into a real market offering in 2026.
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