Compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries are expected to be cheaper, longer-lasting, safer and more reliable for stationary applications because they are less prone to thermal runaway and require less complex cooling systems. Peak Energy plans to begin large-scale battery pack production in California in 2027, while Inlyte is preparing to deploy its first battery system for utility-scale energy storage. Although sodium-ion batteries are unlikely to replace lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles because they store less energy by weight, a Morgan Stanley report projects they could account for more than one-third of global battery production within the next decade. However, China already produces most sodium-ion batteries and companies such as BYD and CATL are rapidly expanding production. The Wall Street Journal has the full story.