BEIJING: The world’s largest energy storage facility, next-generation sodium-ion batteries, has begun operations in China.
The 100,000 kWh project in China’s Hubei province can store electricity to power 12,000 homes on a single charge.
The facility is the first phase of the existing Hubei Sodium Ion New Energy Storage Power Station, which covers an area of 30 acres (approximately 15 football pitches).
Sodium-ion batteries have many advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The sodium required to make these batteries is found to be 500 times more abundant than lithium, while they are capable of holding a higher charge and performance than lithium-ion batteries.
Project manager Sui Yongle said that sodium-ion batteries are very safe and have a low operating temperature.