Bluetti has unveiled the world’s first portable power station utilizing a sodium-ion battery, as well as a new slim power bank designed to maintain refrigerator functionality during power outages, reports 24brussels.
The Pioneer Na combines AC and USB outputs, delivering up to 1,500W of continuous power, sufficient for most household devices and camping equipment. It accepts solar input of up to 500W. Bluetti claims its 900Wh sodium-ion battery is a “world’s first.”
However, skeptics note that the claim of sodium-ion technology being a “world’s first” may be misleading. Bluetti previously announced a sodium-ion power station on wheels back in 2021, whose market availability remains uncertain. This announcement comes shortly after Elecom introduced the world’s first sodium-ion power bank.
Sodium-ion chemistry offers advantages in extreme cold settings, allowing for charging at temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) with operational limits extending to -25C (-13F). In contrast, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries should not be charged below 0C (32F) and have operational limits of -20C (-4F).
The Pioneer Na boasts over 4,000 charge cycles, providing long-term longevity, and does not rely on rare-earth metals. Nonetheless, production of sodium-ion cells currently faces supply chain challenges, resulting in heavier and bulkier units compared to LFP batteries.
With a weight of 16kg (35.3lbs) and dimensions of 340 × 247 × 317mm, the Pioneer Na is considerably larger than the 11.5kg (25lb) Elite 100 V2, which features a 1kWh LFP battery and higher power output. This suggests that the Pioneer Na is tailored for specific use cases, particularly in colder climates.
The Pioneer Na is set to be available worldwide starting October 15th, with pricing yet to be disclosed. In tandem, Bluetti’s FridgePower Portable Power Station, measuring 2.95 inches in thickness and capable of sustaining an average fridge for nearly a full day during outages, will be available starting November 4th.
The Bluetti FridgePower is poised to compete directly with BioLite’s backup power solution, which has yet to reach retail despite an announcement in September 2024.
