Accessory maker Elecom has announced the world's first consumer-ready power bank that uses a sodium-ion battery instead of the traditional lithium-ion one. The 9,000mAh Na Plus power bank boasts an impressive lifespan of nearly 5,000 charges and can operate in extreme temperatures with less risk of overheating.

The Na Plus power bank is a significant development in the field of battery technology, as it offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are made from more abundant and easily producible materials, making them a more sustainable option. Additionally, they are safer to use, with a lower risk of fires caused by overheating and thermal runaway.

In terms of performance, the Na Plus power bank offers basic functionality with a single USB-C and USB-A port. The power output maxes out at 45W through the USB-C port, or 18W through the USB-A port. A series of LEDs can be used to determine the power bank's remaining power level, and it takes about two hours to fully charge it.

While the Na Plus power bank may not be the most capable portable charger on the market, its innovative technology is what sets it apart. Lithium-ion batteries have dominated the market since the early 1990s, but the mining of lithium and other metals used in batteries involves energy-intensive processes that can pollute local ecosystems. Sodium-ion batteries, on the other hand, offer a more environmentally friendly solution.

The Na Plus power bank is currently available in Japan in black and light gray color options, priced at 9,980 yen, or around $67. While this may seem expensive compared to basic lithium-ion power banks, the price tag may drop in the future as the supply chain expands and production increases.

One drawback of sodium-ion batteries is that they have a lower energy density compared to lithium-based batteries, meaning they have to be larger and heavier to store an equivalent amount of energy. The 9,000mAh Na Plus power bank weighs 350 grams, making it bulkier than similar lithium-ion batteries. However, this may not be a significant issue for applications where size isn't the primary concern, such as storage systems for renewable energy sources, backup power supplies, or powering vehicles like cargo ships.

The launch of the Na Plus power bank marks an exciting development in the field of battery technology, and it will be interesting to see how this technology evolves in the future. As the world moves towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, innovations like the Na Plus power bank are a step in the right direction.