NGK Receives an Order for NAS Batteries for a Grid Storage Battery Demonstration Project at a State-Owned Energy Company in Hungary

NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter, “NGK”) announces that it has received an order for NAS^®batteries for storing electric energy from MVM Balance Zrt., a subsidiary of the Hungarian state-owned energy company MVM Group, through Duna Center Therm Uzemi Szolgaltato Kft., a Hungarian engineering company.

NAS batteries will be installed inside the power station of MVM Balance for use in a grid storage battery demonstration project for stabilizing the electricity grid. The project will verify the use of grid storage batteries for storing energy during times of surplus and discharging it when there is a shortage, to boost the earliest social implementation. It will also examine the provision of adjustment capacity to the ancillary service market, which trades energy supply (adjustment capacity) to eliminate gaps in supply and demand of electric energy. 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. This is the third order for NAS batteries in Hungary, following an order for a demonstration project at the national Centre for Energy Research ^*1 and an order for use in renewable energy by consumers^*2.

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. Meanwhile, due to the seasonal and weather-dependent nature of electric power output from renewable energy, long-term peak cutting is needed to increase usage and adjust electric power supply and demand. Although pumped storage hydroelectricity^*3is suitable for long-term peak cutting, in Hungary, where the terrain is mostly flat, it is difficult to construct pumped storage hydroelectricity stations, which require a difference in elevation, so demand for high-capacity storage batteries such as NAS batteries is increasing as an alternative. The MVM Group has adopted a policy of full-scale advancement of storage battery installation as a measure for adjusting renewable energy supply and demand. With this demonstration project, the MVM Group plans to examine the performance standard for grid storage batteries to be introduced 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.

Overview of the Ordered NAS Battery

NAS battery image

*1 NGK Receives the Order of NAS Batteries for Centre for Energy Research in Hungary (July 24, 2023)

The handover ceremony of NAS batteries was held at the Centre for Energy Research of Hungary (July 25, 2024)

*2 NGK Receives Order for NAS Batteries for a Transformer Manufacturer in Hungary (April 15, 2024)

*3 Pumped storage hydroelectricity

A facility that acts like a storage battery which uses water to store electricity. A regulating reservoir is created which stores water in the top and bottom areas of the power station. During times of high-power demand, water flows from the top to the bottom to generate electricity, and during times of low power demand, surplus power is used to pump water from the bottom to the top to be used for generating power again.

About 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. NAS batteries were originally developed as the alternative technology to the pumped hydroelectric storage in urban areas. Nowadays 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.

https://www.ngk-insulators.com/en/product/nas-about.html

*NAS batteries container type (including the single batteries and modules on mounted) are covered.

NAS and the NAS logo are trademarks of NGK INSULATORS, LTD., registered in the U.S. and other countries.