Sodium-Ion Momentum: A New Path for US Battery Scaling

UNIGRID launches commercial sodium-ion shipments, showcasing a faster path to scalable, cost-effective energy storage

18 Jan 2026

A new phase in the US battery industry is emerging as sodium-ion technology moves from development into commercial supply, offering an alternative path to scaling energy storage.

San Diego-based UNIGRID has begun commercial-scale shipments of its sodium-ion batteries and established export capability, marking an early step towards wider market adoption. The deliveries suggest the technology is progressing beyond pilot projects into operational deployment.

Unlike many battery start-ups pursuing large gigafactories, UNIGRID is using a foundry-style manufacturing model. The company works with existing battery production lines that can be adapted to sodium-ion cells, allowing it to expand output without building a new dedicated plant.

The strategy aims to reduce capital requirements and shorten timelines typically associated with new battery factories. Gigafactory construction can take several years and requires billions of dollars in investment, presenting a major barrier for emerging chemistries seeking commercial scale.

Sodium-ion batteries use abundant materials such as sodium and iron, which supporters say could help stabilise costs and reduce exposure to supply constraints affecting lithium, nickel and cobalt markets. While lithium-ion batteries remain dominant in electric vehicles, sodium-ion technology is increasingly being explored for stationary energy storage.

Demand for grid-scale storage in the US is rising as utilities integrate larger shares of renewable power. Solar and wind projects require batteries to balance fluctuations in supply, particularly during periods when generation does not match electricity demand.

At the same time, policymakers and industry groups have raised concerns about the concentration of global battery supply chains. Efforts to diversify materials and manufacturing have become part of broader industrial policy aimed at strengthening domestic energy infrastructure.

UNIGRID’s commercial shipments remain small relative to the wider battery market. However, the company’s approach highlights a potential route for scaling newer technologies without relying on conventional factory expansion.

Whether sodium-ion batteries gain a lasting role in the US storage market will depend on performance, cost competitiveness and the ability to expand production. Early commercial deployments are likely to provide the first large-scale test of those claims.