Burlingame, CA – Peak Energy, a U.S.-based energy storage technology company, has announced a landmark agreement with utility-scale battery storage developer Jupiter Power to supply up to 4.75 GWh of sodium-ion battery systems for deployment across the U.S. grid between 2027 and 2030. This multi-year deal, potentially valued at over $500 million, represents the largest announced single deployment of sodium-ion batteries to date and a significant stride in diversifying America’s energy storage infrastructure.
The initial phase of the agreement will see Peak Energy deliver approximately 720 MWh of storage capacity in 2027, with an option for an additional 4 GWh under a capacity reservation spanning 2028-2030. This move underscores the growing confidence in sodium-ion technology as a viable, cost-effective, and safer alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries for large-scale grid applications.
Pioneering Grid-Scale Sodium-Ion Deployment
The partnership with Jupiter Power builds upon Peak Energy’s recent success in deploying the first grid-scale sodium-ion battery system in the United States. In a pilot program with nine utility and independent power producer customers this summer, Peak Energy’s 3.5 MWh sodium-ion system became operational at the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) in Watkins, Colorado. This initial deployment serves as a crucial testing ground to gather real-world performance data ahead of broader commercialization.
Landon Mossburg, CEO and Co-Founder of Peak Energy, emphasized the transformative potential of this technology. “Deploying the world’s largest sodium-ion energy storage system with one of the nation’s top independent power producers proves that sodium is ready for today and will dominate the future,” he stated.
Key Advantages of Peak Energy’s Sodium-Ion Technology
Peak Energy’s sodium-ion battery energy storage systems (ESS) are designed with several innovative features that offer significant advantages for grid-scale applications:
Passive Cooling System Enhances Safety and Reduces Costs
A standout feature of Peak Energy’s system is its patent-pending passive cooling design. This innovative approach eliminates the need for active cooling and ventilation components such as pumps and fans, which are common in lithium-ion setups. By removing these moving parts, the system dramatically reduces the most common failure modes associated with battery storage systems, enhancing safety and reliability. This design also leads to lower operating and maintenance costs, cutting auxiliary power use by up to 97% and offering estimated lifetime cost savings of approximately 20% compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) deployments.
Extended Lifespan and Reduced Degradation
Peak Energy’s sodium-ion batteries are engineered for a longer operational life, boasting approximately 30% better cell degradation performance over 20 years compared to existing lithium-ion systems. This reduced degradation means that operators will not need to add additional battery units or components to maintain storage capacity over a project’s lifespan, thereby lowering overall augmentation requirements and total cost of ownership.
Thermal Stability Across Diverse Climates
Sodium-ion chemistry inherently offers greater thermal stability than lithium-ion, making it less prone to overheating, thermal runaway, and fire hazards. This characteristic allows Peak Energy’s batteries to operate effectively across a wide range of temperatures without requiring energy-intensive auxiliary cooling systems, making them suitable for diverse environmental conditions found across the U.S.
The Broader Impact of Sodium-Ion Batteries on Grid Storage
The rise of sodium-ion battery technology is seen as a crucial step towards a more resilient and sustainable energy grid. Several factors contribute to its growing appeal:
Abundant and Cost-Effective Raw Materials
Unlike lithium, which has faced supply chain challenges and price volatility, sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth, readily available from sources like seawater and salt. This abundance translates into significantly lower raw material costs and a reduced environmental footprint associated with extraction and processing.
Environmental Benefits and Supply Chain Independence
The environmental impact of sodium extraction is considerably less damaging than that of lithium mining, which often involves extensive water consumption and pollution. The ability to establish a domestic sodium-ion battery supply chain in the U.S. also offers a strategic advantage, reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical energy infrastructure.
Enhancing Grid Stability and Renewable Integration
Sodium-ion batteries are well-suited for various grid applications, including storing excess renewable energy from solar and wind, providing frequency regulation, peak shaving, and load leveling. Their scalability and ability to deliver high output power can help balance supply and demand, ensuring a more efficient and resilient electricity grid, especially as more intermittent renewable sources are integrated.
Accelerating Domestic Manufacturing
The push for sodium-ion technology is also catalyzing domestic battery manufacturing initiatives. Peak Energy is actively developing its first U.S. cell factory, with production slated to begin in 2026.
Beyond Peak Energy, Natron Energy, another U.S.-based sodium-ion battery startup, plans to build a 24 GWh gigafactory in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. This $1.4 billion investment aims to produce sodium-ion batteries with patented Prussian blue electrodes, offering features like rapid charging (under 15 minutes) and extended cycle life (up to 50,000 cycles), targeting markets such as data centers, electric vehicle fast charging, and microgrids. These initiatives collectively signal a robust future for sodium-ion technology in securing America’s energy economy.
