The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has initiated the “Sodium-Ion-Battery Deutschland-Forschung (SIB:DE FORSCHUNG)” project, aimed at assessing the viability of sodium-ion battery (SIB) technology for Europe’s energy and mobility transition. The project seeks to accelerate the industrial adoption of SIBs by involving 21 national partners from both scientific and industrial sectors. These collaborators bring together expertise ranging from battery material development to the production of large-format cells, ensuring that research findings can be quickly applied in practical settings.
Sodium-ion batteries are gaining attention as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which currently dominate the energy storage market but face challenges due to the scarcity and cost of lithium raw materials. Sodium offers advantages such as abundance, lower cost, and high safety, making it an attractive option for both mobile and stationary energy storage systems. The European Union has emphasized the importance of battery cells in integrating renewable energy into the grid and supporting critical infrastructure like 5G telecommunications stations by 2030.
A key focus of the SIB:DE FORSCHUNG project is to enhance the long-term stability and practical energy density of sodium-ion technologies. While lithium and sodium share similar electrical properties, their chemical differences present technical challenges that can lead to accelerated aging and diminished performance in sodium batteries. The project aims to identify scalable SIB active materials that can deliver competitive performance and develop demonstrator cells. Additionally, the initiative will explore the adaptability of SIB technology to existing lithium-ion production processes, potentially lowering production costs and reducing development timelines. An assessment matrix will evaluate the technological, economic, and ecological aspects of various material systems and processes.
The consortium, led by BASF, includes seven industrial and 14 academic partners, supported by an extended network of 42 associated partners. This collaboration marks the largest German consortium dedicated to sodium-ion battery research. Academic partners are addressing material science and cell technology challenges, while industrial partners focus on scaling materials and developing industry-relevant cell formats.
The project is expected to culminate in recommendations for industrial processes, paving the way for the subsequent “SIB:DE ENTWICKLUNG” project. The overarching goal is to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for sodium-ion battery production, promoting sustainable and autonomous battery development in Europe and addressing challenges related to electromobility and renewable energy integration. The project is funded by the BMBF with an approximate budget of 14 million euros and is scheduled to run from January 2025 to December 2027.
Source: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
