NGK Receives the Order of NAS Batteries for Centre for Energy Research in Hungary ~ Used for a Demonstration Project in Anticipation of Energy Transition Toward Carbon Neutrality

NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter, “NGK”) announces that it has received an order for NAS^® batteries for storing electric energy from the Centre for Energy Research of Hungary through Duna Center Therm Uzemi Szolgaltato Kft., a Hungarian engineering company.

The NAS battery ordered will be used in a demonstration project conducted at the Centre for Energy Research in Hungary to evaluate large stationary storage batteries best suited for stabilizing renewable energy. In Hungary, where energy transition to non-fossil fuels is underway toward carbon neutrality, the aim is to achieve both stable energy supply and carbon neutrality through the application of grid scale storage batteries. The decision to use NAS batteries was based on the high evaluation that 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, 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 national research laboratories, 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. It has also announced a five-fold increase in investment in the energy sector over the seven-year period from 2023 to 2030 compared to the previous seven years.The project will be executed in cooperation with MVM Group and data obtained from this demonstration will be shared with MVM, the leading Hungarian state-owned energy company, and results of the demonstration will be used as a basis for studying performance characteristics for large stationary storage batteries to be introduced in Hungary in the future. 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. Starting this demonstration, it is expected that NAS batteries will be adopted for similar projects in the future.

NAS batteries are used in various applications including stabilization of renewable energy, electric power demand and supply balancing, alternative to grid expansion 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

NAS battery (container type)

(*) 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.

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.