bebob has announced its new Green CUBE. The portable block battery uses sodium-ion technology for energy storage. Like the bebob CUBE 1200, the environmentally friendly Green CUBE is suitable for a variety of applications on set, especially for powering cameras and lights.
The Green CUBE does not require critical raw materials, is easier to recycle, and has a reduced risk of fire and explosion compared to lithium-ion batteries.
We have seen a few power solutions coming to market this year that feature Sodium-ion battery technology, and it will be interesting to see how far away we are from having normal-sized camera batteries featuring the technology.
Sodium-ion battery technology
In the search for sustainable power storage solutions, sodium-ion batteries could become a viable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium. Both are reactive alkali metals, but sodium is much more abundant and accessible than lithium. This makes the extraction of sodium less harmful to the environment and more cost-effective. Compared to the complex and energy-intensive recycling process for lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries are also much easier to recycle.
Sodium-ion battery technology helps to minimize the carbon footprint of power supplies in the broadcast and moving image industries by reducing emissions during extraction and recycling. Another advantage is that sodium-ion batteries are less flammable, less explosive, and less prone to thermal overheating, which can also make them easier to transport.
Wide range of applications
The bebob Green CUBE has a maximum load of 500W and a capacity of 446Wh, which makes it suitable for demanding 24V applications such as powering cameras and lights. With a weight of 8.35kg / 18.4 lbs and reasonably compact dimensions, the ‘green’ CUBE was designed to be easy to carry and move around.
Specifications
- Multi-voltage: 12.4V / 24V
- Max. load capacity: 500W
- Capacity: 446Wh / 36Ah
- Outputs:
- 2x USB-A 5V (2A)
- 1x Twist D-Tap 12V
- 2x XLR-4 12V
- 2x XLR-3 24V
- Built-in charger
- Dimensions (WxHxT): 208 x 356 x 167 mm
- Weight: 8.35kg
Price & Availability
The Green CUBE is currently available only on request at a price of approximately €2,595. €2,595 does make it very expensive for a 500W battery.
