Peak Energy has shipped the first grid-scale sodium-ion battery storage system in the United States, marking a significant milestone in energy storage technology. The Burlingame, California-based company announced this development today, highlighting that the system is not only the first of its kind in the U.S. but also the largest sodium-ion phosphate pyrophosphate (NFPP) battery system globally.
The newly deployed 3.5 MWh system features a patent-pending passive cooling architecture, eliminating the need for fans, pumps, or vents. This design significantly reduces fire risks, as 89% of battery fires in the U.S. are linked to thermal management issues, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. Peak Energy claims its technology can cut auxiliary power needs by up to 90%, leading to annual savings of about $1 million per gigawatt-hour of storage and reducing battery degradation by 33% over a 20-year lifespan.
Paul Durkee, Peak's VP of engineering, emphasized the simplicity and reliability of the system, stating, “This isn’t just another product launch – it’s a breakthrough in energy storage.” The sodium-ion batteries are designed to perform effectively in both hot and cold weather, making them particularly suitable for utility-scale applications. Additionally, the U.S. has substantial reserves of soda ash, a key ingredient in sodium-ion technology, allowing for a domestically sourced supply chain.
Peak Energy is currently collaborating with nine utility and independent power producer customers on a pilot project this summer, which could lead to nearly 1 GWh of commercial contracts now under negotiation. The company plans to deliver hundreds of megawatt-hours of its new system over the next two years and is set to establish its first U.S. cell factory, anticipated to begin production in 2026.
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