Energy Storage

Innovation map of trends in global aerogel manufacturing capacity and revenue.

Innovation map of aerogels as fire protection materials for electric vehicles.

Innovation map for the aerogel manufacturing process and players.

Global collaboration and innovation are rapidly advancing sodium-ion battery technology, with improved performance, thermal stability, and hybrid system integration. Cost projections suggest Na-ion could reach parity with LFP by 2030, positioning it as a competitive alternative for energy storage and mobility. This Premium Article includes some key highlights of sodium-ion cell technology made at the International Battery Seminar in Orlando, Florida.

This premium article explores technology trends in ion exchange membranes for green hydrogen.

This premium article covers the development of metal oxide and other high-rate anode materials.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are heralded as a transformative innovation in energy storage (ES), offering numerous advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. These benefits position SSBs as a cornerstone of the next generation of battery technologies, with the potential to reshape industries reliant on ES.

Sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction in the U.S. as a promising alternative for data centers and UPS systems, thanks to their thermal stability (-40°C to 60°C), which reduces cooling costs. Their adoption is further supported by the Inflation Reduction Act's 30% tax credit for standalone energy storage, available until 2032. The U.S. holds a strong supply advantage, producing 12 million metric tons of natural soda ash in 2024, primarily from cost-effective and eco-friendly trona deposits. However, domestic Na-ion battery manufacturing remains limited, with no large-scale production of transition metal oxide sodium-ion cells. To address this, the DOE launched the $50M LENS Consortium in November 2024, focusing on cathode and electrolyte innovations rather than immediate commercialization. A 2024 DOE report found Na-ion battery costs to be among the highest for long-duration energy storage (LDES), largely based on sodium layered oxides, but China's shift toward Prussian white cathodes and hard carbon anodes could improve cost competitiveness. Despite these challenges, U.S. companies like Natron Energy, Unigrid Battery, Peak Energy, and Nadion Energy are emerging as key players in the Na-ion space.

SECH SA develops and supplies customized energy storage and power delivery solutions for various sectors including automotive, transportation, electricity generation/distribution, and industrial applications.

This premium article discusses global suppliers of lithium-based materials.

BrightVolt, Inc., a company in the development of ultra-thin, flexible, and solid-state batteries, has been making strides in the energy storage industry.

Musashi Energy Solutions develops and manufactures hybrid supercapacitors. The company is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with manufacturing and assembly facilities in Yamanashi, Japan and Battle Creek, Michigan.

The global market for Li-ion battery cells alone is forecast to exceed US$400 billion by 2035. This article highlights the importance of cathode materials and next-generation Li-ion technologies in improving battery performance and diversifying Li-ion battery material supply chains.

This premium article explores developments in metal-organic frameworks (MOF) for gas and energy storage.

Innovation map of EU funding for self-healing materials.

Innovation map of shape memory assisted self-healing (SMASH).

Innovation map for the chemistry of intrinsic self-healing materials.

24M (Massachusetts, USA) develops semi-solid battery technology, aiming to disrupt lithium-ion production with lower-cost, simpler manufacturing. Its licensed business model targets electric vehicle (EV) and grid storage markets, partnering with firms like Kyocera and Volkswagen. Advantages include reduced material use, higher energy density, and compatibility with existing facilities. Backed by US$100M+ funding (including from Japan's GPSC), it leverages MIT-derived IP. Challenges include scaling production and competing with entrenched lithium-ion giants (CATL, Panasonic). Positioned as a cost-innovation leader, 24M's semi-solid approach bridges traditional and next-generation solid-state technology but faces execution risks in a capital-intensive industry.

This presentation was delivered virtually by IDTechEx Technology Analyst Dr Jack Howley at the NextFlex Innovation Days 2025 Conference on 26th March 2025 in Santa Clara, USA.