Lithium lon vs Sodium lon - Which One to Prefer？

Lithium batteries have held the crown in energy storage systems for all the good reasons. 

Nevertheless, the increasing demand has resulted in the emergence of sodium ion batteries, which are starting to be called the closed alternative to lithium ion batteries. 

But is it true? 

Are recently launched sodium ion batteries efficient enough to compete with the lithium batteries which is the horse of a long race? 

To find out the accurate conclusion, let's dive into an unbiased and comprehensive analysis of Lithium Ion vs Sodium Ion batteries, to help you decide better. 

Lithium ion batteries

Understanding the lithium ion batteries

Lithium ion batteries have always been appreciated for their energy storage systems that can be used to power everything from the largest to the smallest.  

Whether it is about charging an electric vehicle or mobile phone, lithium ion batteries can do the job with ease. 

The same is why the global market for lithium ion batteries has today extended to a total worth of 45.8 billion dollars. 

Environmental effects of lithium batteries

The environmental effects of lithium ion batteries tend to be fewer than the other types of batteries available in the market. 

However, as these batteries have a certain harmful chemical involved in their composition, improper disposal can harm the environment in many ways. 

For instance, if the liquid electrolyte is released roughly into the environment, it can harm life significantly for being highly volatile and flammable. 

Safety of lithium ion batteries

The thermal stability of lithium ion batteries has remained a matter of discussion for teachers for the past few years. 

While in some experiments and observations, it has worked fine, the other research seems to show negative results. 

Some researchers claim that the battery is prone to thermal runaway, which is a situation of a sudden temperature increase, leading to fire and explosions. 

Nevertheless, the batteries today come with advanced thermal management solutions to cater to the problem. 

In addition, there are multiple safety measures attached to it, such as the battery management system (BMS), thermal management solution, and protective circuitry measures. 

Costs of lithium battery

Details regarding multiple types of costs attached to the lithium ion batteries are mentioned as follows. 

1.Raw material cost: The lithium ion batteries rely upon materials like cobalt and lithium, which are getting scarce day by day. Thus increasing the raw material costs. 

2.Manufacturing costs: The production process of lithium ion batteries is complex and needs advanced technology to work effectively.

Today, you can find a high-quality lithium battery costing somewhere between $100 to $400, depending upon the quality and capacity you seek while purchasing. 

Energy density of lithium ion batteries

The energy density refers to the total quantity of power a battery is able to store during the operation for a constant supply. The energy density of lithium ion batteries is somewhere between 150 to 250 Wh.kg. 

Thus, establishing themselves as an ideal application for space and other industries where critical factors such as the portability of EVs are present. 

Cycle life

The cycle life of the lithium ion lies somewhere between the 500 to 1500 charge and discharge cycles. 

Sodium ion batteries

Understanding the sodium ion batteries

The sodium ion batteries use the sodium ion as the charge carrier. They also operate through the ion movement between the anode and cathode. 

These batteries have emerged as one of the closest alternatives to the lithium ion battery, whose prices have reached the heights of the sky. 

Environmental effects of sodium ion batteries

The sodium ion batteries are even less harmful to the environment than lithium ions. First of all, the extraction and mining of sodium do not require intensive water usage, like lithium ion ones. 

Instead, one can extract the sodium from abundant natural reserves such as seawater. In addition, the recycling process of sodium ions is comparatively easier than lithium ion batteries. 

Safety of sodium ion battery

Sodium ion batteries have better thermal resistance and are less likely to experience any kind of instant heating situation. 

Moreover, there is an extensive range of safety mechanisms attached to it, including the battery management system, heat tracker, etc, to reduce the overall cost of maintenance and enhance safety. 

Cost of sodium ion

The biggest perk of sodium ion batteries is their cost efficiency. They are available at lesser prices than lithium ion due to the abundance of raw materials. 

In addition, the simpler manufacturing process of the batteries further reduces their costs and establishes it as a more affordable option for large-scale demand. 

The energy density of sodium ion battery 

Such batteries have a lower energy density compared to lithium ion batteries that range from 100 to 160 Wh/ Kg. 

Nevertheless, one can make use of such batteries in low-energy-needed situations such as stationary storage solutions. 

Cycle life

The cycle life of sodium ion batteries needs to be improved. At the current point in time, advanced technologies are being considered to enhance the cycle life of such batteries to at least 1000 to 2000 charge and discharge cycles. 

Lithium ion vs sodium ion battery- Which one to prefer?

From the above analysis, it is evident that selecting an option depends upon your priorities, as both options have their pros and cons. 

If you are looking for a cost-effective option for a less demanding industry, you can go with the sodium ion batteries. However, if you need to extend the life cycle with cost being no issue, lithium ion batteries would be best. 

However, to ensure avoidance of all the potential problems, it is imperative to source your battery from a reliable option such as Innotinum. 

The company has an extensive range of high-quality batteries within an affordable price range. It includes multiple options like IES-H1, IES-H0 and IES-L0 with different capacities to meet your tailored needs. 

Conclusion

On the bottom line, lithium ion and sodium ion batteries are two popular options in the market for setting up power generation systems. Nevertheless, choosing one from the two can be a difficult task. 

The same is why we have formed the guide observing an unbiased debate between the two to help you land on the best-suited option for yourself.