US-based sodium-ion BESS startup Peak Energy has launched a battery cell engineering centre in Broomfield, Colorado, in collaboration with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

The centre, set to become operational this month, aims to advance the US sodium-ion battery supply chain and similar technologies. Peak Energy plans to begin manufacturing sodium-ion battery cells by 2027, with a fully domestic supply chain targeted for 2030.

The company intends to use sodium-ion technology to support Colorado's goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040, as outlined by Governor Jared Polis. In July, Peak Energy secured $55 million in Series A funding, led by Xora Innovation, along with support from Eclipse, TDK Ventures, and other investors. Anil Achyuta of TDK Ventures noted sodium-ion's potential, stating, "Lithium-ion will be the foundation of electrification, but sodium-ion offers significant advantages for grid-scale energy storage."

Sodium-ion technology is gaining traction as a cost-effective and safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries. A report from BCC Research forecasts demand for sodium-ion batteries to grow from $318 million in 2023 to $838.5 million by 2029, driven by its suitability for grid-level applications and advancements in safety and performance.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has committed $50 million over five years to establish the Low-cost Earth-abundant Na-ion Storage (LENS) Consortium, led by Argonne National Laboratory. This initiative is part of the DOE's Energy Earthshots program, which focuses on accelerating R&D and commercialization of sustainable energy storage technologies, including sodium-ion.