Slovenian TAB plans to develop its own sodium-ion batteries

Slovenian battery manufacturer TAB, which started producing lithium-ion battery energy storage systems two years ago, now plans to develop its own sodium-ion battery cells. It recently obtained approval for a trial production of cells based on sodium technology, Naš stik reported.

The sodium-ion battery project, whose goal is to deliver a prototype of a battery storage device manufactured entirely in Slovenia, is being implemented in cooperation with the National Institute of Chemistry and other partners, according to Peter Golob, who manages the lithium-ion battery production project at TAB.

Sodium-ion batteries have slightly lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries. However, they offer advantages such as significantly lower prices, greater availability of raw materials, and reduced reliance on critical raw materials.

In 2024, TAB launched the production of lithium-ion battery storage systems with an annual capacity exceeding 1 GWh. The line has been in operation almost continuously, with a utilization rate of 70% to 80%, according to Golob.

TAB can deliver over 1 GWh of lithium-ion battery storage capacity annually

Except for battery cells, everything else is produced in Slovenia, he told the news outlet.

TAB’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) under construction has an operating power of 2 MW and a capacity of 5 MWh. The company has also installed a 5 MW / 10 MWh system in Germany and a 1.3 MW / 2.2 MWh BESS at its plant in Prevalje, Slovenia, according to Golob.

TAB still generates about 90% of its revenue from traditional lead-acid industrial and car starter batteries, but hopes the lithium-ion segment will soon expand to catch up with its core business.

In 2022, TAB’s battery factory in North Macedonia built an 8.4 MW solar park, designed to cover about 25% of its own electricity needs. TAB is also one of the partners in a battery recycling plant project in Hungary.