EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Inlyte Energy has completed factory acceptance testing of its iron-sodium battery energy storage system at its UK facility, with Southern Company representatives in attendance. The testing validated integrated system performance and recorded 83% round-trip efficiency, supporting readiness for an early 2026 field installation in Alabama. The validated system uses large-format sodium metal chloride cells designed for long-duration storage. In parallel, Inlyte is advancing U.S. manufacturing plans with commercial deliveries targeted from 2027.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
| Field | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Inlyte Energy | ||
| Technology | Iron-sodium battery energy storage system (BESS) | ||
| Module Capacity | >300 kWh per unit | ||
| Key Partner | Southern Company | ||
| Round-trip Efficiency | 83% (including auxiliaries) | ||
| Field Deployment | Early 2026 | ||
| Field Site | Wilsonville | Alabama | United States |
| Commercial Delivery | Planned from 2027 |
California-based iron-sodium battery energy storage system manufacturer, Inlyte Energy, has completed factory acceptance testing of its system at its facility near Derby, UK. The testing was conducted in the presence of Southern Company representatives and focused on validating integrated system performance. The results support preparation for a planned early 2026 field installation at Southern Company’s Energy Storage Test Site in Wilsonville, Alabama.
Iron-sodium battery technology is based on sodium metal chloride chemistry and is expected for long-duration energy storage applications. During testing, the system recorded 83% round-trip efficiency, including auxiliary loads, aligning with the high-performance lithium-ion systems and exceeding the 40–70% range typical of other long-duration energy storage technologies. Southern Company’s research and development personnel observed the testing to evaluate operational stability and site installation readiness.
The validated system uses large-format sodium metal chloride cells and modules with more than 300 kWh of storage per unit. The design supports multi-hour discharge suitable for utility grid operations beyond typical lithium-ion applications. Testing focused on confirming operational stability, integration stability and controlled -environment operational behavior.
Following successful acceptance testing, Inlyte Energy’s first systems are scheduled for deployment in early 2026 at Southern Company’s Wilsonville facility, where the technology will be evaluated under real-world grid operating conditions relevant to utility operations.
In parallel, Inlyte Energy is progressing toward U.S. manufacturing and commercialization, finalizing site selection for its first domestic production facility planned for 2026. The company has also entered a partnership with HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions to support manufacturing scale-up and enable commercial deliveries of domestically produced sodium battery systems beginning in 2027.
Steve Baxley, energy storage and use research and development manager at Southern Company, stated that energy storage supports grid reliability as utilities evaluate lower-cost, safer long-duration technologies, with testing informing continued collaboration with Inlyte Energy.