Chinese battery manufacturer Cornex New Energy has announced an expanded lineup of sodium-ion battery cells, introducing new prismatic models aimed at stationary energy storage alongside cylindrical variants for mobility applications. The development highlights the company’s growing focus on alternative battery chemistries as demand rises for safer and more sustainable energy storage solutions.
New Prismatic Cells for Energy Storage
For the energy storage segment, Cornex revealed 165 Ah and 58 Ah sodium-ion battery models. The 165 Ah cell, named PN173-165A, features a sodium iron pyrophosphate cathode combined with a polyanion-type NFPP hard carbon anode. The company confirmed that the cell has secured key certifications, including GB (Chinese national standard), UN38.3, UL, and IEC 62619.
Cornex positions the PN173-165A as “ideal for frequency regulation,” citing a cycle life exceeding 20,000 cycles and a 1P energy efficiency of ≥94.5%. The cell weighs 4.5 kg and measures 71.7 mm × 174.4 mm × 207.2 mm. It delivers a nominal gravimetric energy density of 102 Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of 182 Wh/L (both at 0.5P).
Comparison with LFP Technology
In comparison, Cornex’s 314 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell weighs 5.6 kg approximately 24% heavier while offering about 90% more energy. This comparison underscores sodium-ion batteries’ current limitation in energy density, even as they offer advantages in safety, material availability, and operational flexibility.
588 Ah Cell Enters Mass Production
Cornex also announced that its previously unveiled 588 Ah sodium-ion cell has officially entered mass production. The cell delivers a gravimetric energy density of 190 Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of 419 Wh/L, along with a round-trip efficiency of 96.5%. Its cycle life exceeds 12,000 charge-discharge cycles, positioning it for large-scale energy storage deployments.
Expansion into Mobility Applications
Cornex also released four cylindrical sodium-ion battery models for use in mobile and portable power applications, in addition to stationary storage. These cells come in sizes of 10 Ah, 12.5 Ah, 16 Ah, and 26.5 Ah and are meant for things like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools.
The company highlighted sodium-ion batteries’ superior low-temperature performance compared to lithium-ion alternatives, which often face operational challenges in sub-zero conditions. With increasing adoption globally from grid-scale installations to portable devices Cornex’s latest portfolio signals continued momentum in sodium-ion battery commercialization.
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