The largest sodium-ion battery energy storage system in Europe has been launched in Germany.
Swiss company Phenogy officially debuts on the European energy storage market, launching a sodium-ion battery system near Bremen Airport.
The installation is currently the largest of its kind in Europe.
The PHENOGY 1.0 system delivers 400 kW of power and nearly 1 MWh of capacity. It has been integrated with an existing 50 kW photovoltaic installation and electric vehicle chargers. The battery operates in island mode, optimizing local energy use and increasing self-consumption of renewable energy.
Technological challenges and new solutions
One of the main issues in deploying sodium-ion batteries is compatibility with inverters. Compared to lithium-ion cells, sodium-ion batteries operate across a wider voltage range, requiring new power electronics. Phenogy chose eight Sunny Island X 50 inverters from SMA, each equipped with an integrated DC-DC converter, which simplifies voltage matching and broadens potential system applications.
According to company representatives, the storage system is designed for a wide spectrum of users – from industry and the commercial sector, to critical infrastructure and EV charging. However, full technical details have not yet been disclosed.
Strategic market approach
Founded in 2019, Phenogy currently employs around 60 people in Europe and the U.S. The company collaborates with the University of South Carolina, Fraunhofer Institutes, and Exentis Group AG, which specializes in additive manufacturing. Beyond Europe, Phenogy is also expanding in the United States, where rising energy demand and more frequent outages are creating favorable conditions for new storage technologies.
Outlook
Although the cost of sodium-ion systems still exceeds that of solutions such as LFP, their advantages – wider operating temperature range, decent energy density, and the potential for local production – are attracting early strategic adopters. Phenogy hopes these customers will form the foundation for further development and the gradual commercialization of sodium-ion energy storage in Europe.