Netherlands-based Alfen and China-based CATL have signed an agreement to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems in Europe, building on an existing partnership focused on lithium-ion battery storage projects.
Netherlands-based Alfen and China-based CATL have signed an agreement to deploy 5 GWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems in Europe, building on an existing partnership focused on lithium-ion battery storage projects.
A more accurate statement I could make is that manufacturing does not need to depend on the China’s Lithium supply chain. As this technology matures, domestic manufacturing of this technology will be possible.
Agreed. But the technology can only mature if it’s growth is supported in the domestic context. By buying Chinese, the growth of the technology in China is supported and the contrary is as a result, effectively discouraged.
It sends a message to early investors that early investment is not rewarded in Europe. In the future when Europe wants domestic production, will they be able to recruit the necessary talent? To buy the technology? Can they bring it up to scale within a reasonable time frame?
No, same thing will happen that has happened to the lithium ion battery companies that are all falling apart despite significant investment.