Lagos — NGK INSULATORS, LTD announces that it has received an order for NAS® batteries for storing electric energy from Greenergy Triotechnik Kft., renewable energy provider in Hungary, member of Greenergy Holdings, through Duna Center Therm Uzemi Szolgaltato Kft., a Hungarian engineering company.
NAS batteries will be installed inside Greenergy-Power’s solar power station to curb wastage of surplus power by charging with renewable energy during times the power grid is full and then discharging during times when there is an opening to accept electricity. Renewable energy is seasonal and weather-dependent by nature, so by ensuring that all generated electricity is being supplied without waste, the batteries enable the power station to operate efficiently, contributing to improved profitability for the operator.
The decision to use NAS batteries, which are characterized by their large capacity and ability to discharge electricity over long periods of time, was based on the high evaluation that they are highly reliable as an energy storage technology with an extensive track record, and that their multiple safety designs and equipment monitoring systems meet the installation standards within electric power stations, where strict safety management is required.
Hungary, which has legislated the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050, has established a goal of converting 90% of its generated power to low-carbon sources by 2030, and is rapidly introducing renewable energy.
Hungary has relatively long hours of sunlight, so it is expected to increase solar power generation from the current level of around 5,000 MW per year to around 12,000 MW by 2030. However, renewable power generation volumes are highly variable and as the European energy grid suffers from shortages of available capacity, there are many cases where supply cannot meet demand.
Therefore, there is growing use of high-capacity storage batteries such as NAS batteries as a means for using renewable energy more efficiently. In Hungary, orders for NAS batteries have already been received for a demonstration project at the national Centre for Energy Research*1 and for state-owned energy company*2, and further demand for their use is expected in the future.
NAS batteries are used in various applications including stabilization of renewable energy, electric power demand and supply balancing, and emergency power sources. They have so far been installed in over 250 locations around the world and have a stable operational track record of more than 20 years. NGK will continue to meet the demand for large capacity storage batteries, such as those for grid storage, and contribute to the promotion of renewable energy, the stabilization of electrical energy supply, and the realization of carbon neutrality globally.
NAS batteries
NAS batteries are a megawatt class large-capacity storage battery, implemented practically for the first time in the world by NGK. The batteries feature large capacity, high energy density (compact), and long life, and can provide a stable supply of electric power with a high output over long periods of time.
They have been installed at over 250 locations worldwide, with a total output of over 720,000 kW (720 MW) and total capacity of approx. 5.0 million kWh (5,000 MWh) installed. They are used for various applications, including peak cutting through load balancing and emergency power supply, as well as stabilization of renewable energy and construction of smart grids, thereby contributing to reduced environmental load and realization of carbon neutrality.
NAS batteries have obtained the certification based on stationary storage battery safety standard UL 1973 (cell and module level) and a test report based on UL 9540A standard*, which is to verify batteries and storage battery systems fire risk, for confirming compliance with its evaluation criteria (cell, module and installation level) through the evaluation program of UL Solutions, a global independent safety science company.
*NAS batteries container type (including the single batteries and modules on mounted) are covered.