What NAIMA is
NAIMA project will develop and validate a new generation of Sodium-ion (Na-ion) based batteries to unseat the current Li-based technologies, nowadays controlled by Asian industry. This disruptive technology is already supported by a solid European battery value chain, preserving the ownership and industry strength around European countries.
The European Union is transitioning to a secure, sustainable and competitive energy system based on renewable sources. The non-dispatchable renewable generation requires a higher flexibility in the energy system, where the weight of much more decentralised installations grow day-to-day.
In fact, the flourishing of a wide portfolio of renewable energy installations is allowing the deployment of large to small scale industrial electricity grids, and an increased share of electricity produced in private households.
In the whole of these business scenarios, without any exception, the role of energy storage technologies is crucial.
At present, the European industry depends on the import of Asian Lithium-ion batteries. The EU share for cell manufacturing is only a 3%, while the Asian share of cell manufacturing is an 85%. For this reason, it is mandatory to create a new industry value chain capable to ensure the production and supply of 100% European batteries.
NAIMA project will demonstrate that a new generation of high-competitive and safety Na-Ion cells is one of the most robust and cost-effective alternatives to Li-based batteries.
Within the framework of the project, Na-ion batteries prototypes will be tested in 3 multi-scale Business Scenarios to provide solid evidences about the competitiveness of the technology in 3 real Energy Storage Systems environments (renewable generation, industry and private household).
With an overall budget of 8 million euros funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 programme, NAIMA, which began on 1st of December 2019, will gather 15 partners working together until 30 November 2022.
NAIMA specific goals
In order to achieve the main NAIMA goal, to develop a new generation of high-competitive and safe Na-Ion battery cells for a more competitive European Industry, the project has identified 8 specific goals.
1. To develop and test 2 enhanced configurations of Na-ion cells conceived by the perfect combination of novel advanced materials and chemistries, to demonstrate the fulfilment of KPIs directly linked with the technological competitiveness of the technology.
2. To apply a set of cost reduction strategies to pave the way towards a high competitiveness with the aim of reaching a cost target of 0.05€/kWh0.05€/kWh/cycle and 0.04€/kWh/cycle by the end of the project.
3. To design, assembly and test 6 Sodium-ion batteries (SIB) prototypes as a full system, in 3 different Business Scenarios where the role of storage technologies is considered vital for the end-users.
4. To introduce novel strategies such as eco-design, circular economy, high recycling and 2nd life applications to guarantee the development of a sustainable SIB and to demonstrate its environmental, social and economic impact by the development of a full low cost cell design and high power cell design for industry application.
5. To contribute the creation of a new EU battery industry by the commitment of investments in manufacturing plants, especially in the component production and cell assembly stages of the SIB value chain, reducing the EU dependence of the raw materials for Li-ion batteries.
6. To create a detailed technology development roadmap to establish the product development strategies required to achieve the target KPIs by 2030:
– 200 Wh/kg (gravimetric energy density.
– 1,500 W/kg (gravimetric specific power).
– > 750 Wh/l (Volumetric energy density).
– 10,000 cycles and >50% recycling rate.
7. To create an industry upscaling roadmap enabling the strengthening of the European Battery Industry by addressing the whole value chain.
8. To establish the main pillars of a precise refined feasibility study and business plan as a strategic tool to get a smooth market penetration and proper orientation of the future products and services in 2023.