Exploring the Economic Potential of Sodium-Ion Batteries
Исследование экономического потенциала натрий-ионных аккумуляторов
2019-01-16
SCID: 54.1/7r87xsfs
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economic assessmenthard carbon anodelayered oxide cathodesensitivity analysissodium-ion batteries
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Abstract (AI)
Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a recent development being promoted repeatedly as an economically promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, only one detailed study about material costs has yet been published for this battery type. This paper presents the first detailed economic assessment of 18,650-type SIB cells with a layered oxide cathode and a hard carbon anode, based on existing datasheets for pre-commercial battery cells. The results are compared with those of competing LIB cells, that is, with lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide cathodes (NMC) and with lithium-iron-phosphate cathodes (LFP). A sensitivity analysis further evaluates the influence of varying raw material prices on the results. For the SIB, a cell price of 223 €/kWh is obtained, compared to 229 €/kWh for the LFP and 168 €/kWh for the NMC batteries. The main contributor to the price of the SIB cells are the material costs, above all the cathode and anode active materials. For this reason, the amount of cathode active material (e.g., coating thickness) in addition to potential fluctuations in the raw material prices have a considerable effect on the price per kWh of storage capacity. Regarding the anode, the precursor material costs have a significant influence on the hard carbon cost, and thus on the final price of the SIB cell. Organic wastes and fossil coke precursor materials have the potential of yielding hard carbon at very competitive costs. In addition, cost reductions in comparison with LIBs are achieved for the current collectors, since SIBs also allow the use of aluminum instead of copper on the anode side. For the electrolyte, the substitution of lithium with sodium leads to only a marginal cost decrease from 16.1 to 15.8 €/L, hardly noticeable in the final cell price. On the other hand, the achievable energy density is fundamental. While it seems difficult to achieve the same price per kWh as high energy density NMC LIBs, the SIB could be a promising substitute for LFP cells in stationary applications, if it also becomes competitive with LFP cells in terms of safety and cycle life.
Key Findings
1
A detailed economic assessment estimates 18,650-type sodium-ion cells at 223 €/kWh, compared with 229 €/kWh for LFP and 168 €/kWh for NMC lithium-ion cells.
2
Cathode loading, coating thickness, and raw-material price fluctuations substantially affect sodium-ion battery costs per kilowatt-hour.
3
Organic waste and fossil coke precursors could produce hard carbon at highly competitive costs, while aluminum anode current collectors reduce costs versus lithium-ion designs.
4
Replacing lithium with sodium in the electrolyte provides only a marginal cost reduction, from 16.1 to 15.8 €/L; achievable energy density remains fundamental to economic competitiveness.
5
Sodium-ion batteries appear unlikely to match high-energy-density NMC lithium-ion cells on price per kilowatt-hour, but may be promising where lower energy density is acceptable.
6
Sodium-ion cell costs are dominated by material expenses, particularly layered-oxide cathode and hard-carbon anode active materials.
Research Object
18,650-type sodium-ion battery cells with a layered oxide cathode and a hard carbon anode
Research Subject
Economic performance and cost determinants of sodium-ion cells compared with NMC and LFP lithium-ion cells, including the effects of material prices, electrode composition, precursor materials, current collectors, electrolyte, and energy density on cell price per kWh
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2019-01-16
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