The Battery Tech That Would perhaps perchance Change Lithium

• Inlyte Energy, under the leadership of Stanford researcher Antonio Baclig, is pioneering iron-sodium battery technology, a concept originally investigated in the 1970s, utilizing common materials like table salt and iron as primary components.

• Following successful laboratory tests and a pilot project in Alabama with Southern Co., Inlyte is preparing for large-scale implementation of this innovative energy storage solution.

• These batteries offer enhanced safety, affordability, and are composed of domestically sourced, abundant materials-potentially surpassing lithium-ion batteries in both cost and lifespan for grid-scale energy storage.

As the world accelerates its shift toward renewable energy sources, the demand for large-scale energy storage solutions has surged. Currently, lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and grid storage. However, the finite supply of lithium and other critical minerals-primarily controlled by China-raises concerns about future availability and cost stability. In response, researchers and companies are exploring alternative battery technologies that could provide safer, cheaper, and more sustainable options for the energy transition.

Antonio Baclig, after nearly a decade of research at Stanford University, believes he has identified a promising alternative: iron-sodium batteries based on technology developed in the 1970s. This approach leverages common, inexpensive materials like table salt and iron, making it an attractive candidate for utility-scale storage. Baclig’s focus is on creating batteries that prioritize cost-effectiveness and longevity over energy density, which is more critical for applications like grid stabilization than for electric vehicles.

The concept of sodium-based batteries is not new. British firm Beta Research initially developed iron-sodium batteries, but the technology shifted to nickel-sodium variants in the 1980s due to higher energy density. Today, Baclig and his team believe that iron-sodium batteries are better suited for modern needs, especially for long-duration energy storage where cost and safety are paramount. Their ongoing research aims to optimize these batteries for commercial deployment, emphasizing affordability and safety rather than compactness.

Inlyte Energy’s collaboration with Beta Research, initiated in 2022, has led to significant advancements. They developed a scaled-up prototype featuring a ceramic tube filled with powdered iron and salt, capable of storing twenty times more energy than earlier versions designed for electric vehicles. This breakthrough has allowed Inlyte to successfully test a 100-cell module, demonstrating the practicality of the technology for real-world applications. Baclig notes, “Our initial module performed flawlessly, and we’re building on a proven foundation, so there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.”

The use of established, reliable materials has enabled Inlyte to accelerate development and move swiftly toward commercial testing. The company has secured its first major utility contract with Southern Co., one of the largest utility providers in the southeastern United States. Southern Co. plans to install an 80-kilowatt/1.5-megawatt-hour demonstration system near Birmingham, Alabama, by the end of 2025. This pilot project will serve as a testing ground for the technology before broader deployment, with Southern Co. managing the operation for at least a year to evaluate performance in real-world conditions.

One of the most compelling advantages of iron-sodium batteries is their safety profile. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which contain flammable electrolytes, these new batteries use non-flammable, domestically sourced materials, significantly reducing fire risks. Additionally, the raw materials are inexpensive and abundant, making the manufacturing process more sustainable and less vulnerable to geopolitical supply chain disruptions. This aligns with the current economic climate, where local sourcing and cost efficiency are increasingly prioritized.

Ben Kaun, Inlyte’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizes the scalability and flexibility of the technology: “Our batteries utilize low-cost, widely available metals. By adjusting the composition-adding more iron and salt-we can extend the discharge duration from five hours to a full 24 hours, providing reliable backup power for the grid. In fact, our performance metrics are already surpassing those of lithium-ion batteries in several key areas.”

Funding and strategic partnerships are propelling Inlyte toward commercialization. The company secured $8 million in seed funding in 2023 and has partnered with Beta Research to advance manufacturing capabilities. Recently, Inlyte announced a strategic alliance with Swiss firm Horien Salt Battery to establish its first U.S.-based manufacturing plant. This move marks a significant step toward transitioning from pilot projects to full-scale production, aiming to compete directly with lithium-ion solutions for grid storage and load balancing applications.

Despite the promising progress, the path to widespread adoption remains challenging. Many alternative battery technologies have failed in real-world testing, often due to unforeseen technical hurdles. Nevertheless, Baclig and his team remain optimistic. They believe that leveraging proven materials and building on successful pilot results will enable Inlyte to develop a cost-effective, domestically producible energy storage solution that reduces reliance on finite lithium resources and enhances energy security.

As the energy landscape evolves, innovations like iron-sodium batteries could play a crucial role in creating a resilient, sustainable grid infrastructure-one that is safer, more affordable, and less dependent on geopolitically sensitive materials.