The Master Battery Chair – UPM presents a study on the potential of sodium-ion batteries for energy storage
- The research, carried out by experts from CIEMAT and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, analyses the current state of one of the most promising technologies for complementing lithium-ion batteries.
The Master Battery – UPM Chair has presented the study “Análisis del estado del arte de desarrollos industriales y caracterización de baterías de sodio”, a research project carried out between May and December 2025 by Marcos Lafoz and Jorge Nájera (CIEMAT) and Alberto Abánades and Julio Amador (Polytechnic University of Madrid).
The study analyses the evolution of sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery technology, an emerging alternative that is attracting growing interest in the energy sector due to its potential to complement lithium-ion-based technologies, particularly in stationary energy storage applications.
Key findings of the research include the growing industrial maturity of Na-ion technology, the emergence of manufacturers with commercial products and large-scale projects, as well as the advantages offered by sodium in terms of sustainability, safety, performance at low temperatures and reduced reliance on critical raw materials.
The study also highlights the need to continue making progress in the experimental characterisation, modelling and validation of these technologies in order to accelerate their industrial roll-out and harness their full potential in the energy transition.
Research, collaboration and knowledge transfer
This research forms part of the activities led by the Master Battery Chair – UPM, established in September 2024 with the aim of promoting research into smart energy storage systems and strengthening collaboration between the university, research centres and industry.
Since its launch, the Chair has developed various initiatives to promote knowledge and innovation in the field of energy storage. These include the first Master Battery – UPM Chair Conference, which focused on the contribution of BESS systems to the flexibility and resilience of the electricity grid, and the second Chair Conference, dedicated to new energy storage technologies and collaboration between the university and industry.
Next steps
The Chair’s activities will continue throughout 2026 with the launch of the Master Battery testing laboratory and the development, in collaboration with IMDEA Energía and CIEMAT, of a programme to characterise and model sodium-ion cells and batteries.
The results of this work will be compiled in a new report scheduled for the first quarter of 2027 and will enable further progress to be made in understanding and validating technologies that may play a significant role in the future of energy storage.
At Master Battery, we would like to thank the researchers and all the participating organisations for their contribution to the development of more efficient, safe and sustainable energy storage solutions.
Official LinkedIn profile of the Master Battery Chair – UPM
For further details on the activities, workshops, research projects and initiatives organised by the Master Battery Chair – UPM, please visit its official LinkedIn profile