Another Milestone in the Industrialization of Innovative
Technologies
NINGDE, China, July 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Contemporary
Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) successfully held its first
online launch event "Tech Zone" on July
29. Dr. Robin Zeng, chairman
of CATL, unveiled the company's first-generation sodium-ion
battery, together with its AB battery pack solution - which is able
to integrate sodium-ion cells and lithium-ion cells into one pack -
at the event. As another milestone of CATL in the exploration of
basic science and technology, sodium-ion batteries will provide a
new solution for the use of clean energy and transportation
electrification, thus promoting the early realization of the goal
of carbon neutrality.
Breaking through the bottleneck of sodium-ion battery
technology
As carbon neutrality has become a global consensus, the new
energy industry has entered a complex and diversified development
stage. The increasingly segmented markets have raised
differentiated requirements for batteries. At the same time, the
worldwide research and development of basic materials for batteries
is accelerating, which opens a two-way window for the
industrialization of sodium-ion batteries.
The sodium-ion battery has a similar working principle to the
lithium-ion battery. Sodium ions also shuttle between the cathode
and anode. However, compared with lithium ions, sodium ions have a
larger volume and higher requirements regarding structural
stability and the kinetic properties of materials. This has become
a bottleneck for the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries.
CATL has been dedicated to the research and development of
sodium-ion battery electrode materials for many years. In terms of
cathode materials, CATL has applied Prussian white material with a
higher specific capacity and redesigned the bulk structure of the
material by rearranging the electrons, which solved the worldwide
problem of rapid capacity fading upon material cycling. In terms of
anode materials, CATL has developed a hard carbon material that
features a unique porous structure, which enables the abundant
storage and fast movement of sodium ions, and also an outstanding
cycle performance.
Based on a series of innovations in the chemistry system, CATL's
first generation of sodium-ion batteries has the advantages of
high-energy density, fast-charging capability, excellent thermal
stability, great low-temperature performance and high-integration
efficiency, among others. The energy density of CATL's sodium-ion
battery cell can achieve up to 160Wh/kg, and the battery can charge
in 15 minutes to 80% SOC at room temperature. Moreover, in a low-
temperature environment of -20°C, the sodium-ion battery has a
capacity retention rate of more than 90%, and its system
integration efficiency can reach more than 80%. The sodium-ion
batteries' thermal stability exceeds the national safety
requirements for traction batteries. The first generation of
sodium-ion batteries can be used in various transportation
electrification scenarios, especially in regions with extremely low
temperatures, where its outstanding advantages become obvious.
Also, it can be flexibly adapted to the application needs of all
scenarios in the energy storage field.
Four-pillar innovation system in support of three strategic
development directions
CATL has always been committed to being a global premier
innovative technology corporation and delivering excellent
contributions to the green energy resolution for mankind as its
vision. To achieve its vision, CATL is making unremitting efforts
in three strategic development directions. The first development
direction is to replace stationary fossil energy with renewable
energy generation and energy storage; the second is to replace
mobile fossil energy by using EV batteries to accelerate the
development of E-mobility; the third is to promote the integration
innovation of market applications leveraging electrification plus
intelligence to accelerate the drive towards new energy
applications in different fields. To support sustainable
development in these three development directions, CATL has
established a four-pillar innovation system, namely in the
chemistry system, structure system, manufacturing system and
business models, to build a rapid transformation capability from
fundamental research to industrial application, and then to
large-scale commercialization.
The fundamental research of material and the chemistry system is
of great importance. Dr. Robin Zeng,
chairman of CATL, has said that some people believe that the
battery chemistry system will hardly see any more breakthroughs,
and that only improvements can be made in the physical structure
system. But we believe that the world of electrochemistry is like
the Energy Cube, where there are still a lot of unknowns for us to
discover. We never get tired of exploring its mysteries. By using a
high-throughput calculation platform and simulation technology,
based on our deep understanding of principles combined with the
application of advanced algorithms and computing capacity, we
engage in an in-depth exploration to develop a chemistry system
that is most suitable for sodium-ion batteries, enable them to
enter the fast track to industrialization, and continuously evolve.
The next generation of sodium-ion batteries' energy density
development target is to exceed 200Wh/kg.
In terms of battery system innovation, CATL has made another
breakthrough in battery system integration and developed an AB
battery system solution, which is to mix and match sodium-ion
batteries and lithium-ion batteries in a certain proportion and
integrate them into one battery system, and control the different
battery systems through the BMS precision algorithm. The AB battery
system solution can compensate for the current energy-density
shortage of the sodium-ion battery, and also expand its advantages
of high power and performance in low temperatures. Thanks to this
innovative structure system, application scenarios for the
lithium-sodium battery system are expanded.
Multi-dimensional deployment to promote the industrialization
of sodium-ion batteries
At the event, Dr. Qisen Huang, deputy dean of the CATL Research
Institute, said that sodium-ion battery manufacturing is perfectly
compatible with the lithium-ion battery production equipment and
processes, and the production lines can be rapidly switched to
achieve a high-production capacity. As of now, CATL has started its
industrial deployment of sodium-ion batteries, and plans to form a
basic industrial chain by 2023. CATL invites upstream suppliers and
downstream customers, as well as research institutions to jointly
accelerate the promotion and development of sodium-ion
batteries.
Dr. Robin Zeng said that carbon
neutrality has spawned a demand for TWh-scale batteries and has
promoted the vigorous development of the new energy industry. The
continued emergence of application demands has given an opportunity
to showcase the capabilities of different technologies. Diversified
technical routes will also assure the stability of the industry's
long-term development.
About CATL
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) is a global
leader in new energy technology innovation, committed to providing
premier solutions and services for new energy applications
worldwide. In June 2018, the company
went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with stock code 300750.
According to SNE Research, in the year 2020, CATL's EV battery
consumption volume ranked No.1 in the world for four consecutive
years. CATL also enjoys wide recognition by global OEM partners. To
achieve the goal of realizing fossil fuel replacement in stationary
and mobile energy systems with highly efficient electrical power
systems that are generated through advanced batteries and renewable
energy, and promote the integrated innovation of market
applications with electrification and intelligentization, CATL
maintains continuous innovation in four dimensions including
battery chemistry system, structure system, manufacturing system
and business models.
For more information, please visit http://www.catl.com
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