#Germany #Munich #Sodium-ion #CATL #TENER

CATL Unveils a Game-Changer in Energy Storage: The TENER Sodium Energy Storage System

On June 22, 2026, CATL showcased the TENER Sodium Energy Storage System in Munich, marking a pivotal moment in energy storage technology. This system is hailed as the world's first sodium-ion solution validated for real-world applications, indicating CATL's commitment to advancing energy independence and sustainability. With commercial readiness established across technology, production, and supply chains, CATL plans to achieve cumulative shipments of 1 GWh by the end of 2026, followed by global deliveries starting in June 2027.

A Vision for Sustainable Energy

William Wu, the director of CATL's Energy Storage Technology Center, emphasized the company's dedication to delivering long-term value to its customers while addressing the energy needs of a growing global population. The TENER Sodium aims to leverage sodium, an abundant resource found across all continents, to craft a more sustainable energy future. Alongside lithium, sodium is planned to serve as a cornerstone of next-gen energy storage systems, facilitating longer cycle life and enhanced safety.

The Role of Sodium in Energy Storage

As renewable energy sources become more prevalent and the demand for electricity driven by AI increases, the need for reliable energy storage has never been greater. Traditional lithium-based energy storage systems, despite their popularity, face challenges due to supply chain vulnerabilities marked by fluctuating prices and resource concentration. Sodium, being significantly more abundant than lithium, offers immense potential in addressing these challenges while exhibiting improved temperature performance and safety.

What TENER Sodium Offers

The TENER Sodium system is powered by CATL’s cutting-edge sodium-ion technology, providing over 30 MWh of capacity with a modular architecture that streamlines project deployment. Each module weighs about 42 tonnes, requiring only 34 units to establish a 1 GWh facility, delivering three key benefits for customers:

1. Simplified Deployment: The modularity allows for efficient project setups, reducing on-site complexity.
2. Flexibility in Configuration: Energy and power blocks can be decoupled, allowing tailored storage durations of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours depending on project specifications.
3. Cost Efficiency: Quick isolation and replacement of faulty modules can enhance system availability and lower overall operational costs.

Advantages of TENER Sodium

Beyond the modular advantages, CATL has engineered a station-level platform specifically for its sodium-ion systems, which includes:

• - Advanced Voltage Regulation: A dedicated bidirectional voltage regulation system optimizes output across the voltage spectrum, boosting overall efficiency by nearly 2%. This translates into millions of additional kilowatt-hours of energy generation annually for a 1 GWh installation.
• - Innovative Battery Management System (BMS): Designed to take full advantage of sodium chemistry, the BMS provides superior State of Charge (SOC) estimates and a 20% safety margin over traditional lithium-ion systems, granting operational flexibility and reliability.
• - Reduced Auxiliary Energy Consumption: Innovative airflow design lowers heat generation while an efficient liquid-cooling system cuts auxiliary energy needs from 2% down to 1%, yielding significant savings over time.
• - Noise Reduction: The TENER Sodium operates at just 65 decibels, much quieter than conventional systems, facilitating placement closer to load centers and reducing transmission costs.

Pioneering the Future of Energy Storage

The TENER Sodium Energy Storage System embodies nearly a decade's worth of research and development, backed by €1.2 billion in investment and over 300 R&D professionals dedicated to the project since 2016. With this robust background, CATL is positioned to transition sodium-ion technology from lab-scale innovation to a commercially viable energy storage solution.

This system promises not only to revolutionize energy storage infrastructure but also to prepare CATL for the rapid advancement of technology, such as the potential upgrade to 2000V high-voltage solutions.

To sum up, the introduction of the TENER Sodium not only represents the culmination of extensive research but also signals a new era where sodium and lithium are set to collaboratively shape the future of global energy storage. As CATL continues to roll out this technology worldwide, it stands at the forefront of a more sustainable, stable, and economical energy future.