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Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a serious complement to lithium-ion technology, offering a cheaper, more abundant and geopolitically resilient solution for energy storage. Unlike lithium batteries, sodium batteries rely on sodium — one of the most abundant elements on Earth — and can be produced without rare or critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel or graphite.

This material advantage is driving growing interest from governments and industry as supply-chain risks and costs rise. Typical sodium-ion chemistries use iron, manganese and hard carbon, dramatically reducing exposure to volatile commodity markets and environmentally sensitive mining operations.

In real-world applications, sodium batteries are already moving beyond the laboratory. They are being deployed in grid-scale energy storage, renewable energy buffering, industrial backup systems and low-speed electric mobility such as scooters, forklifts and entry-level electric vehicles. China currently leads commercialization, with companies like CATL, BYD and HiNa Battery rolling out sodium-based storage systems and…

Europe Offshore Wind – Delayed, Stalled or Cancelled Projects

🇳🇱 Netherlands

IJmuiden Ver Beta – delayed to 2032 and split into phases due to infrastructure and market delays.

Nederwiek I‑A – no bids received, slowing new project development.

IJmuiden Ver Gamma‑A & B – tenders postponed.

🇩🇰 Denmark

Donut lab solid state, updates will follow below:

15 jan 2026 -

• High Energy Density – Claimed ~400 Wh/kg, higher than most current lithium‑ion cells.

• Ultra‑fast Charging – Capable of a full charge in ~5 minutes without slowing at 80 %.

• Extended Cycle Life – Up to ~100,000 full charge/discharge cycles with minimal capacity loss.

• Extreme Temperature Tolerance – Retains over 99 % capacity from around −30 °C to above 100 °C.

Donut Lab, a Finland-based technology company, is drawing attention for its work on next-generation solid-state battery systems. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, solid-state designs replace them with solid materials, improving safety, energy density, and thermal stability. Donut Lab aims to integrate its battery technology with highly compact electric motor solutions, targeting applications in electric vehicles, robotics, and aerospace. Finland’s strong clean-tech ecosystem and engineering expertise support this development. If successfully scaled, Donut Lab’s solid-state approach could enable lighter batteries, faster charging, longer lifespans, and reduced fire risk, accelerating the transition to high-performance electrification.

Core Performance Metrics:

Energy Density: ~400 Wh/kg

Far higher than most current lithium-ion packs (~250-300 Wh/kg).

Charging Capability: Full charge to 100 % in ~5 minutes (no “80 % cap”).

www.thelocal.com

The rail connection between Denmark and Germany currently being constructed across the Fehmarn Belt faces delays of several years, according to reports in both countries.

The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel project faces significant delays, pushing its expected opening beyond the original 2029 target. The main cause is the late readiness of the immersion vessel IVY, which is more than a year behind schedule and still awaiting full approval. Construction has also been slowed by seabed problems: parts of the trench were deeper or more unstable than anticipated, requiring extra geotechnical work. In addition, Germany’s connecting rail and road infrastructure is running several years late. Together, these issues have put the project timeline under pressure, and authorities now expect completion to slip into the early 2030s.

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/lithium-deposit-found-in-germany