Researchers from Purdue University have developed a sodium-ion battery pouch cell that can operate reliably at temperatures as low as -100 C, achieving specific energy levels of 96 Wh/kg at room temperature, 74 Wh/kg at -25 C, and 46 Wh/kg at -50 C. The battery was tested with renewable energy sources like wind and solar, showing stable performance in both laboratory and field conditions. This sodium-ion battery technology is considered a more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium compounds. The research paves the way for sustainable battery energy storage systems in harsh climates and space applications, with potential for solar energy storage in extreme conditions like deep-space missions or cold climates. Scientists are now exploring other solar cell and battery combinations for extreme environments, such as high-efficiency perovskite solar cells with sustainable battery chemistries.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/18/sodium-ion-battery-storage-for-ultra-low-temperatures/