With China’s “dual carbon” goals gaining traction, commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage is getting a lot more attention — and for good reason. One technology that's quickly moving into the spotlight is the sodium-ion battery, often dubbed the “next big thing” after lithium-ion.
So, what’s behind all the hype? What makes sodium-ion batteries so promising for the C&I market? Let’s break it down.
At a glance, sodium-ion batteries work a lot like lithium-ion ones. The key difference? They use sodium (Na⁺) instead of lithium (Li⁺) as the charge carrier. Since sodium is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it’s way cheaper and not subject to geopolitical supply risks.
Unlike electric vehicles, where every gram of weight and every bit of energy density matters, C&I storage is more focused on four things: cost, safety, lifespan, and supply stability. Sodium-ion batteries just happen to check all those boxes:
Sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth. That means supply is stable, prices are low, and you’re not at the mercy of global politics. For C&I projects, that directly translates to lower costs and better ROI.
Sodium-ion batteries handle heat better than lithium ones and are less likely to catch fire or explode. That makes them a solid choice for challenging environments like factory rooftops, substations, or even remote data centers.
While early versions didn’t last as long as lithium batteries, recent breakthroughs have pushed sodium-ion lifespan to 4,000 to 6,000 cycles — and since they're cheaper to begin with, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is very attractive.
Sodium-ion tech is getting strong support from the Chinese government and is featured in key policies like the “14th Five-Year Plan” for energy storage. Big names like CATL, Sunwoda, and Huawei Digital Power are already investing, and real-world projects are popping up fast.
Here are some typical use cases where sodium-ion batteries really stand out:
Solar + storage + EV charging in industrial parks – helps balance loads and lower electricity costs
Power distribution for factories – handles peak pricing and grid instability
Telecom base stations & data centers – where safety and cooling are a must
Energy-heavy sites like cold chain warehouses or EV charging stations – ensures continuous power with large-scale storage
Since 2023, sodium-ion tech has been heating up in the C&I market. Companies like CATL, Sunwoda, and Huawei are already rolling out projects. Some sodium-ion installations have even hit the 100MW scale.
With the supply chain maturing and applications expanding, sodium-ion batteries are expected to enter a phase of explosive growth in the next 3 to 5 years. They’re not replacing lithium, but offering a second growth curve in the energy storage world.
There’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” battery. Every scenario needs the most suitable tech, not necessarily the most advanced one. For C&I energy storage, where cost-effectiveness, safety, and raw material availability are top priorities, sodium-ion batteries could be the dark horse that’s ready to run.
If you’re planning or upgrading an energy storage system, it might be worth asking yourself:Is sodium-ion the right fit for your needs?
