As a technology and gadget enthusiast, it’s been exciting to watch BLUETTI evolve over the past few years. They’re the perfect intersection of many of my interests, from solar and energy storage to cutting edge technology more generally, like their new sodium-ion based battery packs. It’s never been easier for an enthusiast like me to get access to this level of technology in such an affordable package.
BLUETTI made a big splash at CES 2022 this year, and I’m happy to report that I had an opportunity to have a virtual chat with one of BLUETTI’s VPs, Longman, at the Intersolar North America show afterwards. In the company of my good friends James and Sujeet from ManTripping and GuysGab, we discussed their new sodium-ion battery technology, their new products – including the long-awaited BLUETTI AC500 aka “The Apex” – the future of BLUETTI, and where the industry is headed.
Here’s a recording of our conversation. Some of us speak more than others because of technical issues, but with a little help from my friends, we made it work.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and I hope you enjoy it!
As a bit of a recap, and to expand on some of the topics we discussed, I’m going to highlight BLUETTI’s big 3 announcements from CES 2022. Let’s begin…
- Sodium-Ion battery technology is finally here, and it’s awesome.
BLUETTI announced the world’s first sodium-ion solar generator, the NA300 and its compatible battery pack, the B480.
The NA300 and B480 seamlessly inherit all the style and appearance settings of its predecessor – EP500 Pro, especially four 20A plugs and one 30A L14-30 output ports driven by the built-in 3,000W pure sine wave inverter to juice up most household electrical appliances. Besides, the NA300 further outstrips the EP500 Pro’s incredible 2,400W solar input to 3,000W. It may be cited to be the fastest charging solar generator since it can be recharged from 0% to 80% in a short half-hour by 6,000W swift AC + PV dual charging. (3,000W Max. for both AC and PV)
However, NA300 provides a capacity of 3,000Wh, less than the 5,100Wh of EP500 Pro in the same size owing to the current sodium-ion battery technology limitations. Favorably, it supports up to two B480 battery modules (4,800Wh each) for a whopping total capacity of 12,600Wh, and the unit can sustain the constant supply for a family electricity needs for several days or even a week in grid failures or natural disasters with recharging by the solar panels. Additionally, NA300 also offers the 240V, 6000W connection with a Fusion Box and another NA300, IoT App Remote Control by iOS or Android, and other EP500 Pro’s merits.
The first-generation sodium-ion battery rivals the LiFePO4 battery cells widely used in other BLUETTI products in security and long cycle life except for the low energy density; yet the former excels in terms of cost, low-temperature performance, quick-charging, and other electrochemical aspects because of its chemical characteristics. BLUETTI’s sodium-ion battery can charge in less than 30 minutes to 80% SOC at room temperature. Besides, in a low-temperature environment of -20°C (-4℉), this sodium-ion battery pack in NA300 and B480 has a capacity retention rate of more than 85% and provides a system integration efficiency of over 80%, which is perfect for powering in winter or in regions with extremely low temperatures.
- The long-awaited BLUETTI AC500 “Apex” has arrived
After 2 years of development and product iteration, the BLUETTI AC series now goes 5kW in 2022: meet the mighty BLUETTI AC500 (aka. The APEX). As the name suggests, the BLUETTI AC500 features a groundbreaking 5,000-watt pure sine wave inverter, which is the most powerful inverter that BLUETTI has ever shipped, and might well be the most powerful inverter in today’s market. The APEX also inherited the design language from its predecessor AC300, and just like the AC300, AC500 is a 100% modular solar battery system, works with its own battery module B301 (3072Wh LFP per pack) and also backwards compatible with the B300 battery module that BLUETTI shipped with the AC300 in 2020.
BLUETTI AC500 can work with up to 6×B301 (3,072Wh LFP per pack) battery modules per unit, adding up to a total of groundbreaking 18,432Wh. Power your whole family’s basic needs for DAYS during emergencies or power outages.
- Turbo Charge: With AC and PV(solar) simultaneous charging, the total input can achieve up to 8000W. That is to say, one hour charging can power up an air conditioner for 5-8 hours, or a clothing dryer for 1-2 hours.
- 5000W AC Charging: Quickly charging to full, steady backup power in case of any kinds of emergencies.
- 3000W PV(solar) Charging: Sustainable energy which is clean and friendly to the environment. One hour of PV charging can power up an electric saw for 2-4 hours or a professional computer for 4-6 hours.
- Output: 5000W pure sine wave inverter for clean and safe power output, two AC500’s can be paired for a 240V, 10000W output power system (Split-phase bonding, home circuit integration by BLUETTI Smart Home Panel)
- BLUETTI EB3A: a powerful and compact model has arrived.
BLUETTI has brought another even smaller unit to their CES booth: the EB3A.
Unlike the previous BLUETTI naming rules, the name EB3A stands out because it’s so compact. Longman told us that the “A” stands for “advanced”, with a 600W pure sine wave inverter and 268Wh of LiFePO4 battery pack under the hood, and also support up to 200 watts of solar input, the EB3A is gonna be a quite big catfish for the entry-level power station market. (vs. Jackery 240, Ecoflow River Mini).
Unlike any other compact units of BLUETTI, the EB3A is the first model in the sub-3000Wh range that doesn’t need a bulky power brick to charge. One single cable will charge the EB3A at a relatively stunning rate of 600W, 0 to 80% charged in only 20 minutes!
With an extremely affordable price tag, the EB3A is gonna start a revolution among the ultra portable power stations.
