Sodium-Ion Battery Storage Projects Launch in US and Europe

Peak Energy and Phenogy activated sodium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) on two continents. The deployments signal growing interest in alternatives to lithium-ion technology. In Watkins, Colorado, Peak Energy launched a passively cooled sodium-ion BESS. The project aims to lower lifetime costs and deliver more affordable energy as electricity prices increase. The system design eliminates moving parts and incorporates active cooling and ventilation. Nine utilities and independent power producers will share operational data from the project, which is currently the largest energy storage initiative in the US. Peak Energy anticipates commercial-scale projects will begin in 2027. Meanwhile, Phenogy, based in Switzerland, deployed its Phenogy 1.0 sodium-ion BESS near Bremen Airport, Germany. The 1 MWh system is Europe's largest sodium-ion installation. It operates in conjunction with an existing solar PV system to power electric vehicle charging stations. Earlier this year, Phenogy announced plans to establish a US headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina. The company cited the state's commitment to sustainability and potential partnerships with local universities and businesses as key factors in its decision.