CATL unveils sodium‑ion grid storage system, driving global energy‑storage growth

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) announced the launch of its “Tenor Sodium” grid‑storage solution, the first commercial sodium‑ion battery system for stationary use. The shift from lithium‑ion aims to reduce supply‑chain risks and lower costs, with sodium‑ion cells offering over 10,000 charge cycles, high safety and operation down to –40 °C.

China’s EnergyTrend reported a wave of new storage projects worth more than 17.5 billion yuan, including a 10 GWh sodium‑ion battery plant in Nanning and several lithium‑ion and solid‑state facilities. In the United States, ESS Tech introduced a modular 1.2 MWh “bridge” sodium‑ion battery that can be stacked to 4.8 MWh, a capacity comparable to Tesla’s Megapack. CEO Drew Buckley said “AI workloads are reshaping what data centers need from energy storage, and sodium‑ion handles those power needs more effectively than conventional technologies.”

SMT Energy and Switzerland’s Axpo Group signed a seven‑year revenue‑swap for a 320 MWh battery‑storage project in Texas, securing long‑term cash flow for the 160 MW/320 MWh Houston IV system. “Our focus at Axpo is to provide structured products that help developers like SMT Energy navigate market complexity,” said Axpo’s U.S. Origination Director.

In the United Kingdom, Envision Energy partnered with Pulse Clean Energy to deliver a 129 MW/310 MWh BESS in Wolverhampton, using its AI‑powered Gen 7 platform to provide 2.4‑hour grid‑forming capability. These developments illustrate a rapid diversification of battery chemistries and financing models as utilities and developers seek larger, safer and more cost‑effective storage for renewable integration.