Accessory maker Elecom has introduced what it’s claiming to be the primary consumer-ready energy financial institution that makes use of a sodium-ion battery as a substitute of lithium-ion one, as noticed by Notebookcheck. In addition to being extra environmentally pleasant to fabricate, the 9,000mAh Na Plus can be utilized in excessive temperatures with much less danger of overheating, and has — Elecom claims — a lifespan of just about 5,000 costs. Even for those who’re recharging it each single day, after 13 years it ought to nonetheless be offering energy.
Sodium-ion battery know-how is new in comparison with lithium-ion tech, and manufacturing capacities haven’t reached the extent of lithium-ion batteries. So whereas somewhat deal-hunting can get you a fundamental 10,000mAh lithium-ion energy financial institution from firms like Anker for lower than $20, the Na Plus is debuting in Japan (in black and lightweight grey coloration choices) for 9,980 yen, or round $67. Elecom hasn’t but introduced a wider rollout.
Power output maxes out at 45W by way of a single USB-C port, or 18W by way of the Na Plus’ lone USB-A port. A sequence of LEDs can be utilized to find out the facility financial institution’s remaining energy stage, and it takes about two hours to totally cost it.
Performance-wise, the Na Plus undoubtedly isn’t essentially the most succesful transportable charger you should purchase. What’s inside is what’s most fun. Although lithium-ion know-how has dominated batteries for the reason that early ‘90s, lithium isn’t a vast useful resource, and mining it (in addition to different metals utilized in batteries like cobalt and nickel) includes energy-intensive processes that may pollute native ecosystems.
Sodium-ion batteries — just like the identify would possibly counsel — perform equally to lithium-ion ones, however with sodium as a substitute of lithium. Sodium is extra abundantly accessible and far simpler to supply. Sodium-ion batteries are additionally safer to make use of. Elecom says the Na Plus can function in temperatures starting from round -30 to 122 levels Fahrenheit and is at much less danger of fires attributable to overheating and thermal runaway.
The price ticket on this know-how would possibly drop sooner or later as the availability chain expands and manufacturing will increase. But doing these issues seemingly received’t clear up this different disadvantage: sodium-ion batteries are merely larger throughout. These batteries have a decrease power density in comparison with lithium-based batteries, which means they should be bigger and heavier to retailer an equal quantity of power. Case in level: that 10,000mAh lithium battery from Anker weighs round 213 grams, whereas the 9,000mAh Na Plus is 350 grams and far bulkier.
Sodium-ion batteries could be higher fitted to functions the place measurement isn’t the first concern, similar to storage programs for renewable power sources, backup energy provides, or powering automobiles like cargo ships. The Na Plus could be cumbersome and costly, nevertheless it’s nonetheless thrilling to see this know-how lastly attain shoppers.
