United Airlines has confirmed a strategic
equity investment in Natron Energy, a battery manufacturer whose
sodium-ion batteries have the potential to help the carrier
electrify airport ground equipment such as pushback tractors and operations
at the gate.
The airline has made substantial investments in companies
developing technology to reduce aircraft emissions but Natron is
the first that has the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas
footprint from its ground operations.
“United Airlines Ventures was created to identify
companies spearheading the next generation of innovative and
emissions-reducing technology,” said Michael Leskinen, President
of United Airline Ventures. “Out of the gate, we primarily focused
on technology designed to help reduce carbon emissions from our
airplanes. Natron’s cutting-edge sodium-ion batteries presented an
ideal opportunity to both potentially expand our sustainability
investment portfolio to our ground operations, and to help make
our airport operations more resilient. United is looking forward
to future opportunities to work with our airport partners on
sustainable technology initiatives.”
United has more than 12,000 pieces of motorized
ground equipment across its operations, of which about one third
are currently electric. Natron’s batteries could potentially be
deployed in support of a number of uses, including:
– Charging electric ground equipment;
– Charging anticipated future electric aircraft
such as electric air taxis;
– Allowing airport operations to manage
electricity demand; and
– Greatly improving resiliency related to
inclement weather.
“Natron’s sodium-ion batteries will help the
aviation industry achieve its decarbonization and EV goals,” said
Colin Wessells, CEO of Natron Energy. “Our batteries provide the
high power over short distances that ground service equipment
needs, and unlike lithium-ion, Natron’s batteries are completely
nonflammable and can be safely deployed into ground service
operations.”
The sodium-ion batteries contain several features
that distinguish them from existing battery technology. In
addition to better output and cycle life than their lithium
counterparts, testing performed by an independent testing service
has shown these batteries to be nonflammable, a critical safeguard
for the high usage and power that would be required for certain
operations.
Also, the minerals used in sodium-ion batteries are abundant
worldwide and are easily sourced, unlike lithium which is in short
supply with demand expected to triple by 2025.
Natron plans to use the funds to accelerate
production at its manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan
where it will scale operations to begin mass production of
UL-listed sodium-ion batteries in 2023.
