An Australian sodium battery startup has claimed two important milestones that will herald the rollout of its technology as the global storage industry looks increasingly at alternatives beyond lithium-ion.
The Queensland-based PowerCap was established by former chemical and petroleum engineers who had seen enough of the fossil fuel industry and turned initially to fuel cells and then sodium ion technology.
After more than six years of research and development, PowerCap has advanced the technology far enough to become the first Western sodium-ion battery manufacturer to achieve both TÜV and PPP certification, meaning it can now advance its production and commercial activities.
Sodium-ion technology is now attracting global attention as an alternative to lithium-ion, because of its abundant raw materials (salt), and improved thermal stability. Its backers say it steals a march on other competing technologies such as flow batteries because of lower costs.
Major deals have been announced by China’s CATL, and the US-based Peak Energy, and PowerCap founder, CEO and chief engineer Dane El Safty says sodium is starting to match it on costs.
