Natron Energy, a sodium-ion battery manufacturer, has started commercial-scale operations at its facility in Holland, Michigan. 

Sodium-ion batteries offer higher power density, higher cycles, and better safety characteristics over other battery technologies, according to the company. The battery chemistry presents zero strain during charging and discharge, 10x faster cycling than traditional lithium-ion batteries and a lifespan of over 50,000 cycles. 

Natron has invested over $40 million to upgrade the $300-million facility and convert existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines to sodium-ion battery production. ARPA-E also provided $19.8 million through the Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) program. 

The Holland facility is projected to produce 600 MW of sodium-ion batteries annually and will serve as a blueprint for future Natron giga-scale facilities. Natron will begin battery shipments in June for data centers and then for a wide range of end markets, including industrial mobility, EV fast charging and telecom.

“Natron’s sodium-ion batteries will play a significant role in advancing large industrial and utility-scale decarbonization, including potentially at our drilling operations where Nabors is deploying various solutions to reduce fuel consumption and emissions,” said Guillermo Sierra, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives—Energy Transition at Nabors Industries.

Source: Natron Energy