Kwangwoon University Partners with Volta and China’s HiNa Battery on Next-Generation Sodium-Ion Batteries
Establishing a Global Industry–Academia–Research Partnership for SIB Technology / Advancing Talent Exchange, BESS Demonstration, Standardization, and Joint R&D
Participants pose for a commemorative photo at the Kwangwoon University–HiNa Battery–Volta three-way SIB technology cooperation signing ceremony, held on September 2 at HiNa Battery in Liyang, Jiangsu Province, China.
Kwangwoon University, led by President Yoon Do-young, is taking significant steps toward building a global industry–academia–research collaboration ecosystem between Korea and China to advance fundamental research and domestic field demonstrations of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), which are emerging as a potential game changer in next-generation energy storage systems (ESS). Kwangwoon University announced that it signed a three-way Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for SIB technology development, demonstration, and commercialization on September 2 (Wednesday) with HiNa Battery Technology Co., Ltd. (中科海鈉), a Chinese company specializing in sodium-ion battery technology based in Liyang, Jiangsu Province, China, and VOLTA Co., Ltd., an energy solutions company.
The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from Kwangwoon University, including Cho Sun-young, Chair of the Board of Kwangwoon Educational Foundation; Yoon Do-young, President of Kwangwoon University; Jung Seok-jae, Vice President for External Affairs; Oh Seung-rok, Distinguished Professor and former Mayor of Nowon-gu; and Park Tae-won, Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Real Estate. From HiNa Battery, Kang Li-bin, Senior General Manager, and other key executives from its R&D and business divisions participated in the ceremony. Son Jung-ki, CEO of VOLTA, and other senior representatives from the company also attended. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions on opportunities for collaboration in next-generation energy technologies.
Representatives of Kwangwoon University and VOLTA sign a strategic partnership agreement at Kwangwoon University on August 20.
The significance of the agreement lies in the establishment of a global industry–academia–research collaboration model that brings together the three organizations’ respective strengths: HiNa Battery’s core SIB technology and manufacturing expertise, developed from research conducted at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of China’s leading research institutions; Kwangwoon University’s advanced R&D capabilities and expertise in cultivating highly skilled talent; and VOLTA’s capabilities in demonstrating and commercializing battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Korea.
On the day of the signing ceremony, the Kwangwoon University delegation toured HiNa Battery’s exhibition hall, advanced R&D center, and pilot SIB production line. The delegation closely examined facilities for battery cell characterization, safety testing equipment, and key processes involved in mass production. At the signing ceremony, Cho Sun-young, Chair of the Board of Kwangwoon Educational Foundation, said, “Securing next-generation clean energy technologies and passing on a cleaner and more sustainable environment to future generations is one of the core missions of an educational foundation. I hope that this strategic partnership among Kwangwoon University, HiNa Battery, and VOLTA will make a meaningful contribution to helping Nowon-gu, where the Kwangwoon Educational Foundation is based, advance as a carbon-neutral and sustainable clean city.”
Yoon Do-young, President of Kwangwoon University, said, “Kwangwoon University has advanced research capabilities across a broad range of fields, including semiconductors, robotics, and secondary batteries, as well as electrical and electronic engineering and power systems. We will provide full institutional support to ensure that this collaboration goes beyond basic R&D and develops into industrial technology cooperation and a comprehensive global industry–academia–research partnership.”
Kang Li-bin, Senior General Manager of HiNa Battery, said, “We sincerely welcome the delegation from Kwangwoon University and VOLTA. SIBs are expected to experience rapid growth based on their cost competitiveness and safety advantages. We are fully committed to collaborating with Kwangwoon University on the exchange of key master’s and doctoral-level research talent and on joint R&D initiatives.”
Son Jung-ki, CEO of VOLTA, said, “The three organizations will build on a strong foundation of mutual trust while making the most of their respective areas of expertise. As the driving force behind demonstration and commercialization, VOLTA will do its utmost to help SIB technologies developed at the laboratory level transition rapidly into real-world industrial applications and commercial markets.”
