The California Energy Commission has awarded a $3 million grant towards the pairing of energy storage with an electric vehicle fast charging system. The grant has been awarded to Natron Energy as part of the Advanced Energy Storage for Electric Vehicle Charging Support initiative. Natron will use the funds to manufacture and install a high powered, long cycle life energy storage system at an EV fast charging station at the University of California in San Diego. The project is expected to result in a cost-competitive, at-scale alternative to Li-ion batteries, and offer superior performance for the high-power/short-duration dispatch and long cycle life requirements of the EV fast charging market. Natron’s technology uses Prussian Blue pigment which stores and releases energy in the form of sodium ions. Unlike electrode materials found in most Lithium-ion batteries, Prussian blue is economical, safe, and environmentally friendly. The solution provider claims its technology will help address: The grant is part of efforts by California to meet its goal of 5 million EVs by 2030. Janea Scott, vice chair at the energy commission, said the “… EPIC research programme accelerates innovative technologies to drive the scale of change needed to address the serious impacts of climate change. “Projects like Natron Energy’s sodium-ion battery system, which pairs energy storage with electric vehicle infrastructure, can help smartly integrate vehicles with no tailpipe pollution into the electric grid.”
The California energy Commission has awarded $ 500 m to Natron Energy as part of an initiative to pair energy storage with an EV fast charging system . The project , which seeks to provide an alternative to lithium - ion batteries for the EV grid , sees Natron use Prussian Blue pigment to store and release energy using sodium ions . This is said to be more environmentally friendly , economical and safer than electrodes used in lithium - ion batteries . Natron will use the grant to develop a high - powered energy storage system at charging stations at the university of California , San Diego .