Sodium-Ion Batteries for Stable Power Grids

The PowerNIB Project: KIT and Partners Develop High-Power Sodium-Ion Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage and Large-Scale Applications
Electrode Coating Facility KIT
Sodium-ion technology is moving into the stationary energy storage sector. At KIT, this work includes the development of novel cathode materials.

The expansion of renewable energy is driving an increased demand for flexible power storage solutions. Through the collaborative project PowerNIB, researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with their partners, seek to bring sodium‑ion batteries for stationary applications to market readiness. The objective is to develop high‑performance, cost‑efficient, and sustainable energy storage systems that stabilize power grids and balance electricity supply and demand. The project aims to develop scalable manufacturing processes across the entire value chain – from material synthesis to a demonstrator deployed under real‑world operating conditions.

From Material Development to Application

"Our goal is to accelerate the market maturity of sodium-ion battery storage and make it rapidly available for applications within the energy system," says Dr. Isabelle Südmeyer, project lead at the KIT Institute for Applied Materials – Energy Storage Systems. "In this context, KIT is specifically responsible for developing and scaling suitable cathode materials, as well as processing them into high-performance electrodes."

Based on these developments, battery cells with high charge and discharge rates are being produced, which are ideal for applications such as short-term grid stabilization. A demonstrator for stationary storage will be utilized to prove practical viability under real-world conditions. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, this three-year project unites partners from research and industry to swiftly transition the technology into practical application.

mhe, May 12, 2026