Varta coordinates German sodium-ion battery research

The “Entise” research project has officially started. The initialism stands for Entwicklung der Natrium-Ionen-Technologie für Industriell Skalierbare Energiespeicher, or development of sodium-ion technology for industrially scalable energy storage.

A consortium of 13 companies and universities are involved in the project, which German battery maker Varta initiated and coordinates. Some 15 Entise working groups are developing a high-performance, environmentally friendly cell chemistry for sodium-ion batteries, which can then be converted into cell formats for industrial application.

The focus of the Entise project is the further development of material concepts and processes. In technology terms, the storage capacity of sodium-ion battery cathodes and anodes will be improved, Varta announced on Sep. 24, 2024. To achieve that, the materials used, including the electrolytes, must be optimized. Cycle stability of sodium-ion devices will also be improved through the development and use of new materials including optimized electrode materials and coatings. At the end of the process, a prototype in a round cell design will be created.

Germany’s federal ministry of research is backing Entise with €7.5 million.

The project is set to run for three years through the end of May 2027.

In addition to Varta, the project partners include the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology’s Helmholtz Institute Ulm; the Humboldt University of Berlin; the University of Freiburg; the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg; the Justus Liebig University of Giessen; the Jülich Research Center; Eura AG; E-Lyte Innovations GmbH; and IBU-tec advanced materials AG. In addition, an unnamed cell manufacturer with a connection to the automotive industry is also involved in the project, according to Varta.

From pv magazine Germany.