A new sodium energy storage company promises continued operation following Natron's collapse.

In a significant development for the renewable energy sector, Inlyte, a US-based energy storage startup, has announced plans to accelerate its manufacturing timeline in the United States. In partnership with Swiss sodium battery specialist HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions, Inlyte is poised to begin domestic production of its new sodium-iron battery formula.

Meanwhile, another US energy storage startup, Natron, has closed its doors, resulting in the loss of 1,000 factory jobs. Natron was preparing to produce sodium batteries at a former lithium-ion battery facility in North Carolina with an initial capacity of 600 megawatts. The closure is a setback for renewable energy stakeholders who were counting on a new generation of low-cost batteries for wind and solar storage.

Inlyte's battery solution, uniquely suited for high ambient temperatures, will be demonstrated at the Alliance Redwoods site in Occidental, CA. The company has appointed Alison Armstrong, Sandor Hollo, and Dilip Goswami to its executive team, marking a transition from technology development to commercial-scale production.

Inlyte's sodium-iron energy storage system, in partnership with Vital Energy Solutions, will be integrated into a microgrid featuring a 570-kilowatt solar array at Alliance Redwoods. The system will provide two weeks of backup power during emergencies, replacing a diesel backup generator, and will also provide backup power for Russian River Utility's nearby water pump station, essential for public water supply and firefighting efforts.

The microgrid is expected to reduce Alliance's annual electricity bill by approximately $300,000 once operational in 2027. Inlyte has also partnered with Southern Company for a utility-scale demonstration of its energy storage technology in Birmingham, Alabama, with installation expected before the end of the year. A one-year evaluation period will follow the installation, with results to be shared across a broad utility network, in collaboration with EPRI.

EPRI, an influential nonprofit organization in the energy sector, has launched a decarbonization effort and could potentially provide a seal of approval for Inlyte's technology. Inlyte received a $4 million grant from the Energy Department through the agency's CiFER (Critical Facility Energy Resilience) program.

The closure of Natron and the ongoing success of Inlyte serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the renewable energy industry. The new system, noise-free and pollution-free, will benefit first responders and evacuees at the site, marking a step towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

A new sodium energy storage company promises continued operation following Natron's collapse.