Optimistic About The Prospect Of Energy Storage Industry Chilwee Hand in Hand With General Electric Sodium Salt Battery

China Energy Storage Network News: In order to promote the development of energy storage industry and seize the market share under the new normal, the R&D forces of all parties are constantly seeking new breakthroughs. Today, Chilwee Group and General Electric Company (hereinafter referred to as GE) signed the Durathon sodium salt battery project cooperation agreement, combining the industrial and technological advantages of both sides, to jointly establish a joint venture company, to precisely promote the application of sodium salt battery in the field of energy storage.

The energy storage industry has a great future

It is understood that, affected by global climate change, energy depletion and other impacts, the global energy pattern is changing, renewable energy is more and more highly concerned by countries around the world. High efficiency, clean, low carbon, has become the world's new energy development mainstream direction. In solving the problem of grid connection of renewable energy, energy storage industry has gained an important development opportunity.

In order to promote the development of energy storage industry, the state has issued a number of energy planning policies to support it. The Outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the Strategic Action Plan for Energy Development (2014-2020) and the Action Plan for Energy Technology Revolution and Innovation (2016-2030) all require energy storage to be a key aspect of future research and development in the energy sector.

Sodium salt battery has outstanding advantages

With the vigorous development of the energy storage industry, relevant domestic institutions and enterprises are also constantly developing new technologies, in order to occupy the commanding heights before the industry erupts. Among them, sodium salt battery as a new energy storage technology has been widely recognized.

It is reported that the current energy storage system is mainly divided into five categories: mechanical energy storage, electrical energy storage, electrochemical energy storage, thermal energy storage and chemical energy storage. Among many energy storage technologies, electrochemical energy storage has been in the leading position of energy storage technology. At present, lead-acid battery, lithium-ion battery and liquid flow battery are the three types of electrochemical energy storage technologies, which occupy 94% of the total installed energy storage capacity in China. The up-and-coming sodium-salt battery, with its safety and reliability, long cycle life, high specific energy, cost saving, environmental friendliness and other characteristics, is considered to be a new energy storage technology suitable for new energy grid connection, distributed power generation and micro-grid.

The reporter learned that sodium salt battery products are stable in nature, high safety, long service life, wide range of applications, its raw materials are non-toxic, easy to obtain, waste recycling process is simple and pollution-free.

Sodium salt battery is a kind of high temperature sodium battery, invented in 1978. The positive electrode is solid NiCl2, the negative electrode is liquid Na, and the electrolyte is solid β-Al2O2 ceramic. During charging and discharging, sodium ions drift between the positive and negative electrodes through the ceramic electrolyte.

In the 1980s, GE switched to sodium salt battery technology. Its global R&D center integrates 40 to 50 scientists from R&D centers in the United States, India and China. The technology has been in a relatively mature stage, and it has captured 167 patents worldwide. At present, sodium-salt battery technology has been applied in 25 countries around the world, and energy storage projects such as solar energy, wind power portfolio, peak management and communication base stations have been built.

Hand in hand to expand business, joint venture planning market.

This time, Chilwee Group and General Electric Company of the United States jointly set up a new joint venture company, focusing on the production, research and development of sodium salt battery and sales of the whole chain business. The two sides will draw on each other's strengths and use their best technology, production capacity and management experience to build a professional company with global competitiveness.

The project, scheduled to begin production in 18 months, will mainly be used in power grid energy storage, communication base stations and power supplies, according to Zhou Mingming, chairman of Chilwee Group. With the advantage of sodium salt battery, the time difference between power consumption and power generation can be effectively adjusted in the renewable energy power generation system, and the utilization rate of power generation equipment can be improved.

In the future, the second and third generation of sodium salt batteries are expected to be applied to hybrid electric locomotives to provide energy storage for the new generation of high energy efficiency cars, train locomotives and mining vehicles, ships and other large hybrid or pure electric vehicles. With the increase of new business, the sodium-salt battery will replace the traditional battery, but also reduce the latter's harm to the environment, further realize the environmental friendly energy.