NGK Receives Order for NAS Batteries for a Transformer Manufacturer in Hungary ~ For Use in Improving the Rate of Renewable Energy Use at a Production Site

NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter, “NGK”) announces that it has received an order for NAS® batteries for storing electric energy from Ganz Transformers and Electric Rotating Machines Ltd. (hereinafter, “Ganz”), a Hungarian transformer manufacturer, through Duna Center Therm Uzemi Szolgaltato Kft., a Hungarian engineering company.

The NAS batteries ordered will be installed at Ganz’s production site and used to improve the site’s rate of renewable energy use in conjunction with an onsite megawatt class photovoltaic power generation facility. The decision to use NAS batteries was based on the high evaluation that NAS batteries are highly reliable as an energy storage technology for supporting stable production. This is primarily because NAS batteries, which are characterized by their large capacity and ability to discharge electricity over long periods of time, are suitable for peak shift for solar power generation, have an extensive track record of more than 20 years since commercialization, and have multiple safety designs.

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. Accelerating the introduction of renewable energy has therefore become an urgent priority for achieving this goal. Furthermore, in response to concerns about the economic impact of the current surge in energy prices across Europe, Hungary has implemented a support program (the “Factory Rescue Program”) for the introduction of renewable power generation and storage facilities by companies doing business in the country. Ganz will use this support program to introduce NAS batteries and a photovoltaic power generation facility.

In order to achieve the stable use of renewable energy, for which the amount of electricity generated can vary with the weather, time of day, and other factors, power (balancing capacity) is needed to eliminate the supply-demand gap for electricity. In Hungary, where the terrain is mostly flat, it is difficult to construct pumped storage hydroelectricity stations*1, which require a difference in elevation, so demand for high-capacity storage batteries such as NAS batteries is increasing as an alternative. NAS batteries have been adopted by a stationary storage battery demonstration project at the Centre for Energy Research in Hungary*2, and their adoption is expected to grow further 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 is continuing to further promote marketing and sales activities for NAS batteries and contribute to the expansion of renewable energy introduction and realization of carbon neutrality globally.

Overview of the Ordered NAS Battery

*1 Pumped storage hydroelectricity station:

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 reverse the rotation of the water wheel to pump water from the bottom to the top to be used for generating power again.

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

• 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. 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.
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