Representatives of government, science and business discussed the idea of building a factory in Poland to produce batteries using sodium-ion technology during a meeting at the Warsaw University of Technology.

Batteries using lithium-ion cells are used to store electricity in portable electronic devices, electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as for large-scale energy storage. As resources of lithium and transition metals, especially cobalt, are limited, the search for a new generation of cells is ongoing worldwide. One such solution could be sodium-ion cells, which are more environmentally friendly and feature much better performance.

Dr Piotr Dziadzio, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Chief National Geologist, Dr Przemysław Ligenza, President of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, and a representative of the Polish Electrochemical Energy Storage Consortium PolStorEn discussed the steps that need to be taken to realise the idea of building a factory producing cells (batteries) in sodium-ion technology. They also discussed the role of the scientific community and, above all, the possibilities of cooperation between all parties.

The Polish Electrochemical Energy Storage Consortium PolStorEn was established in 2018. Its founders are Warsaw University of Technology (leader), University of Warsaw, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poznan University of Technology, Institute of Non-ferrous Metals in Poznan and Gdansk University of Technology. The consortium focuses on the development and implementation of innovative energy storage solutions. It is an expression of consolidation of the scientific community, representatives of state authorities and the battery industry in the face of the challenges of electromobility.

Adrian Andrzejewski