What is a sodium-sulfur battery?

The world is seeking advancement in battery technology as the universal goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Optimum use of natural resources, low cost, and high capacity are anticipated to play a leading role in moving the mission onward.

To attend this goal, a group of researchers has developed a sodium-sulfur battery with a considerably higher capacity than lithium-ion cells. The battery also costs significantly less to manufacture. Here are a few things you should know about sodium sulfur batteries.

What is a sodium-sulfur battery? 

The sodium-sulfur battery is the most effective battery to store big amounts of electric energy (6 hours at rated output), and it is also supported by a safe operation and reliable design,

NAS or sodium-sulfur batteries contain sodium at the negative electrode and sulfur at the positive electrode. The electrolyte is a sodium ion conductive ceramic made up of beta-alumina. This technology has many advantages, from high capacity & high-energy density to small size & long life.  

What are the disadvantages of sodium sulfur batteries? 

The main disadvantage of sodium sulfur battery is that it needs a heat source for operating conditions. This makes the battery more or less immobile and unfeasible for residential use, particularly compared to Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Since the heat source required for continuous operation uses part of the battery’s own stored energy, it also drains part of the battery’s efficiency.

Sodium-sulfur operates at high temperatures, posing a safety risk. The sodium battery is dangerous when liquid sodium comes in contact with water. 

What are the advantages of sodium sulfur batteries? 

Versatility

NAS or sodium-sulfur battery is used in various applications, such as load leveling, peak shaving, and emissions declines. They might be used in power supplies & as the central feature of the smart grid. It also delivers power for auxiliary services, grid frequency controls, & reactive power compensation.

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Compact 

The 200-kW to 1200-kWh sodium batteries are compacted and easy to store, obtainable in a 20-ft ISO transport container. Customers can save money on transport and construction Because of fully containerized battery units.

Large Capacity

To deliver power for six hours or more, a single NAS or sodium-sulfur battery system could be used for peak shaving, long energy shifting, grid frequency control & emergency power supply.

Long Life Span and Durability

NAS battery has less capacity fall and no need for battery replacement till the end of its life (around 15 years or 4500 cycles). The batteries work in several environments, with ambient temperatures between －20 to +45 degrees Celsius. Moreover, sodium-sulfur batteries have an extensive lifespan than many other kinds of batteries, making them mainly well-suited for applications needing long-term storage.

Eco-Friendly

Because sodium and sulfur are abundant all over nature, raw material lessening is not a concern. Customers concerned about the impact on the atmosphere are relaxed as these raw materials will always be abundant.

Easy Operation & Maintenance

With no self-discharge & no uniform charge essential, preventive maintenance is negligible since consumable parts only need to be swapped periodically. It is also possible to schedule maintenance to avoid disruption at peak operation.

Low Cost

One benefit of sodium-sulfur batteries is that they use comparatively inexpensive materials, which might make them a more cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

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Depth of Discharge

Sodium sulfur battery can discharge entirely without degradation of cells.

Energy Density

These batteries have a high energy density of 110 Wh/kg and a power density of 150 W/kg. It makes them perfect for many applications. 

Sodium sulfur batteries offer an established, large-scale energy storage technology with the prospect of installation anywhere. The sodium-sulfur battery is an excellent addition to the long-duration energy storage industry with a wide range of advanced features, from huge capacity to compactness.

Sodium Sulfur Battery Application

Sodium sulfur batteries are mainly used for load leveling, backup power, and renewable energy stabilization applications. For example, the NaS or Sodium sulfur battery system could be used as an emergency power supply throughout momentary voltage drops & power outages.

NAS batteries can be used for a variety of customers, including: 

●Power plants

●Substations

●Industrial

● Commercial

● Residential

NAS battery offers load leveling, peak shaving, and emissions reduction capacity.

Conclusion 

Generally, the developing interest in sodium-sulfur batteries reflects a broader trend toward exploring new battery technologies that might help to decrease costs and improve performance in an extensive range of applications. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries are now the dominant technology in the near term. The development of sodium-sulfur batteries could drive invention and competition in the energy storage market in the future.

FAQs

How does a sodium-sulfur battery work? 

The sodium-sulfur battery is a high-temp battery. It functions at 300 °C and uses a solid electrolyte, making it exclusive among the normal secondary cells. One electrode is melted sodium, and the other is molten sulfur. The reaction between these two is the base for the cell operation.

 How long does a sodium sulphur battery last? 

It is expected that the sodium sulphur batteries last 15 years or 4500 cycles. And the efficiency is about 85%. Sodium sulfur batteries have the fastest response times, with a start-up speed of 1 ms.

Will sodium replace lithium?

Scientists have studied sodium as a potential substitute for lithium in rechargeable batteries. Sodium is a smart candidate since it is found all over Earth.

Are sodium batteries cheaper than lithium?

 The materials used in sodium-ion batteries are more inexpensive than lithium batteries. 

What has stopped sodium-sulfur batteries from extensive use in the past? 

The slow reactivity of sulfur and rapid capacity decline complicate the operation of room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries. The in-between product will liquefy into electrolytes, resulting in the loss of active materials, which are the leading cause for their fast capacity drop.

Are there any restrictions to this technology that are yet to be overcome? 

The gap between the industry & lab achievement is a significant barrier, which needs more engineers to work on this technology to commercialize it.

What companies make sodium sulfur batteries? 

Some remarkable companies in the international sodium-sulfur battery market are NGK Insulators, Ltd., Moris Technology Center, BASF, LLC, Eagle Picher Technologies, LLC, & Ceramatec, Inc. 

Are sodium batteries expensive? 

Compared to the cost of Li-ion batteries, Na-ion batteries are significantly lower. The cost of Na-ion batteries is about $40 per kWh, whereas the cost of Li-ion batteries is about $137 per kWh.