Sodium batteries have tremendous potential to provide battery backup to power grids both in large scale applications and possibly for home systems. With the help of friends at Stanford engineering and Sunrun Solar, Maiandros Investments has commenced on a project to build a bio char based battery in our yard in Berkeley, CA.
We are no strangers to adventure and we knew this would be a crazy endeavor from onset. But we have already got interest from some local startups that they would purchase the system from us if we get a working model put together. So here we go.
Bio char is an interesting substance with potential for helping with soil and water improvement and carbon sequestration. The overall project was not excessively costly to begin so I am hopeful that we will get a working model.
Planning and Sourcing Materials
The first step in this journey was planning. Biochar batteries leverage carbon-rich biochar as a key electrode material, which is incredibly eco-friendly and can even be produced at home from organic matter. For my system, I opted to use scrap steel as the core structure. Here’s a quick rundown of my primary tools and components:
- Arc welder (previously owned, but I’ll list the estimated cost)
- Scrap steel collected over time from old projects
- Components ordered online like a vacuum pump, argon gas, and high-quality respirator masks for safety.
Upcoming Sections:
- Constructing the Biochar Cell
- Frame Welding
- Biochar Electrode Preparation
- Electrolyte Setup
- Final Assembly
- Testing and Optimizing the System
Cost Breakdown
Below is a cost breakdown for my backyard biochar battery project:
| item | cost | ||
| One arc welder stock welder | $70 | ||
| Argon gas | $150 | ||
| Vacuum pump | $150 | ||
| Respirators mask | $30 | ||
| Pulverizer | $250 | ||
| Welding mask | $50 | ||
| Face shield | $25 | ||
| Welding table | $200 | ||
| Kiln | $650 | ||
| Welding curtains | $175 | ||
| Bio char, 15 gallons | $100 | ||
| Fiberglas insulation | $60 | ||
| Iron powder | $30 | ||
| Cutting disks | $50 | ||
| Sheet steel | $85 | ||
| Steel tubing | $80 | ||
| Areuono board. | $75 | ||
| Sterling engine | $150 | ||
| Alternator. | $120 | ||
| $2,500 |
Note: Some of these costs may fluctuate based on regional pricing and available materials.
Why Biochar Batteries?
Biochar batteries offer a renewable, cost-effective way to store energy. By using sodium as an electrolyte, this system provides a more sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, making it both eco-friendly and scalable.
Stay tuned for progress updates on the build.
