We Like It Dirty...
The dirtiest technologies seem to be in vogue.
For the past few years I’ve been eyeing any news about the development of Sodium-ion batteries.
What I find somewhat fascinating is the relative lack of interest in this technology in the Western World. With all the drama, ripping of shirts off and crying “the planet is dying!”, I would expect more involvement of the Western governments in this quite clean technology - vis-a-vis all the lithium-based batteries disaster.
All the basic components for building such a battery have been learned along the way of developing Cadmium, Metal-Hydrate and then Lithium-based batteries. With some modifications, sodium is basically a drop-in replacement of the main active material.
So, why bother with Sodium, if we already have such wonderfully explosive technologies as Lithium-ion batteries? I’m glad you asked! I don’t have to tell you about all the countless burned out electric mopeds, cars, busses and phones.
What’s cool about Sodium batteries isn’t just one thing, as compared with its predecessor.
- It doesn’t have the inherent thermal runaway problem.
- Sodium is widely available. It can be mined, extracted from sea water, etc.
- Being this ubiquitous material, its recycling poses no major danger to the environment.
- Did I say, it’s cheap?!
- Did I say, it’s safer? Both, from the standpoint of the operator and the environment.
Some major Chinese battery makers are already producing these batteries at scale. First generations of these batteries are already being used in vehicles, grid energy storage and other applications. This means that their prices will be only going down as their development and improvements continue.
In conclusion, I’m scratching my head… Oh yes, I’m scratching my head in amazement, why the powers that shouldn’t be are always attracted to the worst, dirtiest and most dangerous solutions. I guess, I just answered my own question. Dun dun dun.
(C) 2026 Cheesy Mouse Rumblings