Swiss Data Center to Pilot Iron-Sodium Battery for Energy Storage
The insatiable demand for data is placing unprecedented strain on the world’s power grids. Data centers, the backbone of our digital lives, are at the forefront of this energy challenge, seeking innovative solutions for reliable, sustainable, and safe power. In a significant move towards this goal, Swiss data center operator NTS Colocation AG is partnering with US-based startup Inlyte Energy to pilot a groundbreaking iron-sodium battery energy storage system.
This pioneering collaboration will see an initial 600kWh iron-sodium battery system installed at NTS’s Bern facility by late 2026. This is the first step in an ambitious roadmap to deploy a total of 2MW of capacity by 2028, signaling a strong commitment to this emerging technology.
The Search for a Better Iron-Sodium Battery Data Center Solution
For years, data centers have relied on a combination of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, often powered by lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries for short-term outages, and diesel generators for longer-duration backup. However, this traditional approach faces growing challenges, including the fire risks and permitting complexities associated with lithium-ion, and the environmental and logistical issues of diesel.
This is where Inlyte Energy’s technology enters the picture. The company is developing iron-sodium batteries, a chemistry that promises to overcome many of the limitations of incumbent solutions. According to Inlyte, their technology offers a compelling combination of benefits tailored for mission-critical applications:
- Enhanced Safety: The inherent chemistry of iron-sodium batteries significantly reduces the fire risks associated with lithium-ion, a critical factor in a data center environment.
- Long-Duration Storage: The technology is designed for multi-hour and even multi-day energy storage, providing resilience far beyond the capabilities of typical UPS systems.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Utilizing abundant and low-cost materials like iron and sodium, this technology aims to deliver a more economical long-term storage solution.
- Simplified Permitting: By avoiding the safety concerns of other chemistries, Inlyte anticipates a smoother and faster permitting process for installations.
A Strategic Iron-Sodium Battery Data Center Pilot for a Sustainable Future
NTS Colocation, which already operates its colocation centers in Zurich and Bern on renewable energy and utilizes waste heat recovery, sees this pilot as a natural next step in its sustainability and resilience strategy. The iron-sodium battery system will be integrated to support critical functions including load leveling, extended backup power, and UPS duties.
Niklaus Hug, CEO of NTS Colocation, highlighted the alignment between the technology’s features and the stringent demands of the data center industry. He noted that the batteries’ safety profile, long-duration discharge capability, and asset lifespan are an ideal match for their operational needs.
For Inlyte, this partnership provides a crucial real-world validation of its technology in a demanding, live environment. Antonio Baclig, CEO of Inlyte Energy, emphasized that their solution is perfectly suited for mission-critical infrastructure, especially as the energy demands of data centers continue to soar. This Swiss project follows Inlyte’s recent successful testing of 300kWh+ modules in the UK and its reception of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, underscoring the growing momentum behind its technology.
This collaboration between NTS Colocation and Inlyte Energy is more than just a pilot project; it’s a forward-looking step that could pave the way for a new standard in data center energy resilience. As the digital world expands, innovations in energy storage will be paramount, and iron-sodium technology is positioning itself as a powerful contender.
