The shift toward renewable energies, coupled with their inherent fluctuations, and the mobility transition have driven a growing demand for energy storage capacity. Electrochemical storage plays a central role here, with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) being the most widely used option at present. However, LIBs mostly rely on critical raw materials such as lithium, nickel, natural graphite, and cobalt, prompting the exploration of alternative technologies. Battery technologies based on sodium, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, potassium, or chlorine are emerging as potential alternatives. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered the biggest competitor to LIBs in the close future and are already commercially available.

SIBs have gained particular attention due to their potential as a more environmentally friendly, safer, and cost-effective alternative to LIBs. However, the number of studies evaluating the sustainability of SIBs is still significantly lower than those focusing on LIBs. Furthermore, the market for SIBs is developing rapidly and constantly innovating. This intensifies the need for studies on the sustainability of SIBs.

As part of the Post Lithium Storage (POLiS) Cluster of Excellence, this work aims to address the research gap by conducting a comprehensive assessment of SIBs in comparison to conventional lithium-based technologies. By advancing sustainability assessment of SIBs, this dissertation will contribute to informed decision-making in the field of energy storage systems. The assessment will be carried out in three parts, each of which will be published in a suitable scientific journal:

• Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of a Prussian white and vanadium-phosphate based sodium-ion battery based on primary laboratory data
• LCA of a Battery Container Storage System based on Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries
• LCA of upscaled SIB production processes

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