CATL and Intilion Partner to Deploy 3 GWh of Sodium-Ion Storage
The collaboration aims to install grid-scale battery systems across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria by 2031 to enhance regional energy security.
Chinese battery manufacturer CATL and German energy storage provider Intilion have signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy 3 GWh of sodium-ion energy storage systems across Europe by 2031. The partnership focuses on grid-scale, commercial, and industrial applications within the German, Swiss, and Austrian markets, building upon a collaborative history that has seen the companies complete over 30 energy storage projects in Germany since 2022.
The initiative will utilize CATL’s Tener Sodium technology, which the company describes as the world’s first field-validated sodium-ion energy storage solution. These batteries are designed to withstand harsh winter climates, maintaining high power discharge capabilities even at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). According to CATL, the systems are engineered for a 25-year operational lifespan and are capable of delivering more than 15,000 charge cycles.
Sodium-ion technology is increasingly viewed as a strategic alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium and the potential to reduce supply chain exposure to lithium price volatility. To facilitate integration, CATL has developed a battery pack architecture that allows sodium-ion and lithium-ion technologies to share the same enclosure dimensions. This design flexibility is intended to help users transition between battery types while maintaining infrastructure compatibility.
This agreement follows a series of recent expansions by CATL in the European energy storage sector. In July 2026, the company announced a 5 GWh deployment plan with European energy integrator Alfen N.V. for Western Europe and a 2 GWh cooperation agreement with the Eastern European firm Solarpro. These moves reflect a broader industry shift as sodium-ion batteries transition from research environments to large-scale commercial use, serving as a complementary technology to existing lithium-ion systems.
The European energy storage market continues to experience significant growth, with SNE Research reporting that lithium-ion energy storage shipments in the region reached 72.7 GWh during the first half of 2026, representing a 74 percent increase compared to the previous year.
