en.Wedoany.com Reported - Bihar Batteries, a company specializing in the development and manufacturing of sodium-ion batteries for stationary applications, plans to launch its first pilot projects for battery cells and complete energy storage systems in the summer of 2026. Founded in 2023 in San Sebastián, Spain, the company is currently working to advance its proprietary battery cell and energy storage system technology from the advanced research stage to commercial and industrial deployment.
The company told pv magazine that its goal is to scale up commercialization in the second half of 2026 through strategic agreements with companies such as Battera and NX Technologies. Bihar Batteries' prototypes integrate NX's battery management system (BMS), which is equipped with advanced sensors (such as pyrotechnic fuses) to respond more quickly to electrical faults and enhance battery safety. These pilot projects will help validate the technology in real-world environments and accelerate the transition to the industrial stage.
The company has developed its proprietary sodium-ion battery cell technology in collaboration with the Basque technology center CIC energiGUNE. This collaboration has already produced the first pouch cell demonstrators, aimed at optimizing energy density and capacity retention under harsh thermal conditions. The company expects to achieve industrializable battery cells by the end of this year, a key step toward commercial-scale manufacturing.
Bihar Batteries' market strategy focuses on commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage, particularly for outdoor installation scenarios. According to the company, the higher thermal stability of sodium chemistry reduces reliance on complex temperature control systems, thereby simplifying operations and lowering the total cost of ownership of energy storage systems. This advantage is especially important in outdoor applications, where thermal management-related costs can account for a significant portion of investment and operating expenses.
As the next step in its industrial roadmap, Bihar Batteries plans to launch a battery cell pilot production line in the province of Gipuzkoa in 2027. The company explained to pv magazine that the 2027 pilot line will be the first step toward a larger-scale industrial facility and is expected to become the prototype for the first sodium-ion battery gigafactories. This facility, expected to be operational in 2028, will be used to validate industrial processes, lay the foundation for future mass production plants, and aim to demonstrate that Europe can compete not only in R&D but also in the manufacturing of advanced energy storage technologies.
Bihar Batteries recently strengthened its financial structure through a €2 million capital increase subscribed by international investors. At the same time, the company secured financing in two rounds of the PERTE (Strategic Project for the Recovery and Economic Transformation in Renewable Energy Value Chains) program: the first project, approved in 2025 for €2 million, focuses on battery material manufacturing and battery pack assembly; the second project, recently approved with a budget of €8 million, will drive the manufacturing and assembly of sodium-ion battery cells. The company has also received institutional support from the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and the Basque Government through SPRI.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
