Uninterruptible power supplies powered by sodium batteries have been introduced in the Russian Federation

Russia has introduced the first series of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with sodium-ion batteries. It will include 13 models of single-phase devices with dual voltage conversion designed to protect servers, workstations, network equipment, laboratory devices and other sensitive electronics, Ippon, which developed the Na+ model, told Izvestia on March 3.Sodium—ion batteries are a promising alternative to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. Interest in the technology has increased significantly in recent years due to its accessibility, economic benefits, and high security, but to date, only a few UPS manufacturers worldwide have begun developing a new type of device.

One of the key features of sodium batteries is the ability to operate in a wide temperature range: -40 to +50 degrees with a capacity of up to 80%. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which require complex integration and configuration, sodium batteries are not susceptible to thermal breakdown, which makes them safer to operate.

Unlike traditional lead-acid batteries, sodium batteries do not contain toxic substances, heavy metals and aggressive acids, and their service life is 4-5 times longer than that of their lead counterparts. In addition, they can withstand up to 2,000 deep discharge cycles, while lead-acid batteries are designed for only 300-500 cycles at 50% discharge.

The Na+ series UPS supports fast charge recovery: up to 90% capacity in less than an hour. Due to the durability of sodium batteries, companies can significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs — there is no need to regularly purchase and change batteries. Additionally, storage and maintenance costs are reduced, as sodium batteries do not require regular recharging and can remain in stock without degradation for up to 12 months.

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"Critical infrastructure requires reliable UPS systems, especially in medicine, where even a short-term power outage can have serious consequences. In addition, sodium—ion batteries are much less likely to require replacement than lead-acid batteries, which need to be replaced every 2-3 years," Kristina Vishnevetskaya, Director of Business Development at Ippon, told Izvestia.

According to her, with the increasing cost and complexity of medical equipment, it becomes especially important to purchase uninterruptible power supplies. This is due to the fact that the human eye is not always able to detect voltage fluctuations in the electrical network, and the consequences of such surges can lead to serious damage to expensive appliances.

"The Na+ series is not just a new line, but a significant step for the development of the entire industry. In fact, the business gets the opportunity to choose a UPS based on the characteristics of the batteries and their operational requirements, which allows to optimize costs, increase the reliability of energy supply and make the infrastructure more efficient. We are pleased to be among the first to introduce this technology into commercially available solutions," said Mikhail Vazisov, General Manager of Ippon.

In Russia, the devices will be available through the official distributor of Ippon, Merlion, and the brand's partner network.

Last year, on December 4, it was reported that consumer debt for electricity increased by 7% from January 1 to October 1, 2024 and amounted to 344.9 billion rubles. Moreover, the amount of delays for a month or more amounted to 219 billion rubles. This is stated in the documents of the Ministry of Construction for the meeting with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, which took place at the end of November.