Learn why Indi Energy’s Sodium-ion batteries are the best new technology to beat gas or petrol to store energy
Reducing our dependency on fossil fuels such as gas and petrol to store energy can only happen with an efficient energy storage system. Lithium-ion batteries were the technology that led the way, but it’s time to look further ahead because all signs point to sodium ion batteries. In this blog post, we are going to share how a homegrown entity in India, founded by a team of scientists and engineers is ushering in a new era for sustainable energy storage technologies along with the reasons why the world has to move on from the heroes of yesterday, lithium-ion batteries.
What are the reasons for leaving lithium-ion batteries behind?
Lithium is an extremely limited resource along with the scarcity of lithium, it makes it expensive and lithium sourcing is extremely dangerous to the environment and health. The composition of a lithium battery primarily revolves around lithium, an alkali element with a soft, silvery texture that is not found in its pure form in nature. Instead, it exists as compounds intertwined with other minerals. The lithium triangle, encompassing Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia in South America, accounts for over 50% of the global lithium supply. Unfortunately, the process of mining lithium, which consumes nearly 500,000 gallons of water per ton, has led to a drastic reduction in the available water supply in this region. Furthermore, the extraction of lithium involves the use of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, which pose challenges in terms of containment and safe disposal, resulting in the contamination of water basins. Additionally, instances of human rights abuses during the mining process, substantial greenhouse gas emissions, and inefficient recycling methods all contribute to the mounting evidence of the adverse effects associated with lithium-ion batteries.
Another one of the most critical concerns of lithium-ion batteries is their high susceptibility to instability and flammability at elevated temperatures. Moreover, these batteries are prone to thermal runaway, a hazardous condition that poses a severe safety risk. Additionally, their performance tends to suffer in colder temperatures. However, it is crucial to focus on their broader impact on society and the environment.
Why are sodium-ion batteries better than lithium-ion batteries?
Sodium is cheap, and we have a near-unlimited supply. Sodium ion batteries can be used to store renewable energy and can be fabricated at much lower prices than lithium-ion batteries. We can use the same battery production facilities without having to change anything. And that’s exactly what we are doing at Indi Energy’s manufacturing plant, which is nearing completion! Indi Energy’s Na-ion batteries use Hard Carbon, an anode derived from crop residue and biowaste, which has allowed the batteries to consistently deliver high performance almost at the level of Li-ion batteries. Our batteries can be transported at zero voltage, thus ensuring safety, and they are recyclable! Once production starts, Indi Energy’s sodium-ion batteries can immediately replace lithium-ion batteries, lead acid batteries, and lithium-iron phosphate batteries as stationary storage solutions. But our plans don’t just stop there!
What are the current drawbacks of sodium-ion batteries?
Although sodium-ion batteries are the key to a sustainable future, and we at Indi Energy are close to making it happen, we still have to address a few concerns mainly the size of Na-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries need more space because of sodium’s bulky nature and low energy density compared to Li-ion batteries which pack a high energy density into a compact size. It makes sense though, after all; the development of Li-ion batteries started almost 50 years ago, so they have had quite a head start. Na-ion technology is still in its nascent stages in comparison to Li-ion technology. But the future looks bright for sodium-ion batteries because Indi Energy, an energy storage start-up from IIT-Roorkee, India, is leading the way in the R&D of next-generation battery technologies!
Indi Energy is on a mission. The goal is for our indigenous sodium-ion batteries to power every electric vehicle in India, and eventually the world. It may take some time, maybe a couple of years, but we are hard at work! A sustainable future powered by compact sodium-ion batteries that won’t catch fire and won’t hurt a living soul! That’s a dream worth rooting for! Indi Energy – Empowering Energy Independence! Get in touch with us today to find out how.
