CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer, and Intilion, a German energy storage provider, have inked a memorandum of understanding to bring 3 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion energy storage capacity to Europe within the next five years. The partnership will focus on grid-scale, commercial, and industrial deployments across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond, utilizing CATL's Tener Sodium battery systems.
Winter Performance and Long-Term Durability
CATL engineered Tener Sodium with European climate challenges in mind, particularly the demands of harsh winters. The battery is rated for more than 15,000 charge cycles and promises 25 years of reliable performance. Notably, the system retains strong discharge capabilities even at minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), a critical advantage for northern European markets.
The Tener Sodium line debuted on June 22. A key design feature is its physical compatibility with lithium-ion battery form factors, allowing operators to switch between technologies without major infrastructure changes. This flexibility also shields projects from the volatility of lithium commodity prices.
Expanding a Growing European Footprint
The new agreement builds on momentum between the two companies. Since 2022, CATL and Intilion have completed more than 30 storage installations across Germany. The expanded partnership signals their intent to scale both sodium-ion and lithium-ion solutions throughout the continent.
CATL's sodium-ion push extends beyond this deal. In July, the company signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Alfen targeting 5 GWh of sodium-ion capacity in Western Europe, with deployment beginning in 2027. A cooperation agreement with Solarpro covers an additional 2 GWh.
Source: Battery-News
