China’s first grid-scale sodium battery has reportedly gone into operation in Guanxi, south-west China.
CNEVPost reported that the 10GWh battery will form part of a 100MWh project by China Southern Power Grid Energy Storage. The battery energy storage system uses 210Ah sodium-ion cells that can be charged to 90% in 12 minutes, according to the statement.
The report said the cumulative installed capacity for China’s energy storage had reached 35.3 million kWh in the first quarter. Electrochemical storage accounted for over 95% of this.
The company noted the relative abundance and lower cost of raw materials compared to lithium. The report quoted Chen Man, a technical expert of China Southern Power Grid, saying costs can come down 20–30% when sodium-ion enters large-scale production.
The project’s R&D team has built a thermal management system that maintains a steady temperature among the more than 22,000 sodium cells.
Photo by China Southern Power Grid Energy Storage
