Elecom’s Na Plus sodium-ion power bank uses safer and longer-lasting sodium-ion battery technology

Accent maker Elecom has announced what it’s claiming to be the primary consumer-ready energy financial institution that makes use of a sodium-ion battery as an alternative of a lithium-ion one, as spotted by Notebookcheck. Along with being more environmentally friendly to fabricate, the 9,000mAh Na Plus can be utilized in excessive temperatures with much less danger of overheating, and has — Elecom claims — a lifespan of virtually 5,000 expenses. Even for those who’re recharging it each single day, after 13 years it ought to nonetheless be offering energy.

Sodium-ion battery expertise is new in comparison with lithium-ion tech, and manufacturing capacities haven’t reached the extent of lithium-ion batteries. So whereas slightly deal-hunting can get you a primary 10,000mAh lithium-ion energy financial institution from companies like Anker for less than $20, the Na Plus is debuting in Japan (in black and light-weight grey coloration choices) for 9,980 yen, or round $67. Elecom hasn’t but introduced a wider rollout.

Energy output maxes out at 45W by a single USB-C port, or 18W by the Na Plus’ lone USB-A port. A sequence of LEDs can be utilized to find out the ability financial institution’s remaining energy stage, and it takes about two hours to completely cost it.

Efficiency-wise, the Na Plus undoubtedly isn’t essentially the most succesful transportable charger you should purchase. What’s inside is what’s most enjoyable. Though lithium-ion expertise has dominated batteries for the reason that early ‘90s, lithium isn’t a limiteless useful resource, and mining it (in addition to different metals utilized in batteries like cobalt and nickel) entails energy-intensive processes that may pollute native ecosystems.

Sodium-ion batteries — just like the title would possibly recommend — operate equally to lithium-ion ones, however with sodium as an alternative of lithium. Sodium is extra abundantly obtainable and far simpler to provide. Sodium-ion batteries are additionally safer to make use of. Elecom says the Na Plus can function in temperatures starting from round -30 to 122 levels Fahrenheit and is at much less danger of fires attributable to overheating and thermal runaway.

The worth tag on this expertise would possibly drop sooner or later as the availability chain expands and manufacturing will increase. However doing these issues seemingly gained’t clear up this different disadvantage: sodium-ion batteries are merely greater throughout. These batteries have a decrease vitality density in comparison with lithium-based batteries, which means they must be bigger and heavier to retailer an equal quantity of vitality. Working example: that 10,000mAh lithium battery from Anker weighs round 213 grams, whereas the 9,000mAh Na Plus is 350 grams and far bulkier.

Sodium-ion batteries is likely to be higher suited to purposes the place measurement isn’t the first concern, comparable to storage techniques for renewable vitality sources, backup energy provides, or powering autos like cargo ships. The Na Plus is likely to be cumbersome and costly, but it surely’s nonetheless thrilling to see this expertise lastly attain shoppers.