Press release -
Start of Operation of NAS Battery for Demonstration Project of KEPCO ~ Acceleration of Proposal for Renewable Energy Application, etc. in Partnership with BASF
NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter, “NGK”) announces that it has an order from BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH (hereinafter, “BSES”), a subsidiary of German chemical manufacturer BASF SE. and has started operation of a NAS® battery system for storing electric power delivered to South Korean electric power systems manufacturer G-Philos Co., Ltd.
The NAS battery system in Naju comprises 4 battery containers and (1) has a maximum 1,000 kW-dc power and 5,800 kWh-dc dischargeable energy under a demonstration project for comparison of performance of stationary storage batteries at a testing site of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in Naju City, South Korea. KEPCO is promoting the introduction of storage batteries to expand domestic renewable energy use, and the results of this demonstration project will set performance standards for large storage batteries in South Korea. The highly durable NAS battery, which has a large storage capacity and is able to discharge over a long period, was selected for this project because of its high reliability based on an extensive track record of use in the stabilization of widely fluctuating renewable energy and because it has received high praise for its certification and evaluation reports from UL Solutions, a global third-party safety science company.
NGK previously has delivered a NAS battery (2) to G-Philos in 2020 for the first Power-to-Gas (P2G) * demonstration project in South Korea, carried out by Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (KOMIPO) at Sangmyung Wind Farm, Jeju Island, South Korea. The NAS battery was used as a storage battery for storing and discharging surplus electric power from wind power generation and supplied electric power to hydrogen manufacturing equipment in a stable manner, thereby realizing the manufacture of green hydrogen without impacts from the significant fluctuations of wind power. Since it is highly safe, the NAS battery can be installed in close proximity to hydrogen manufacturing equipment and has been evaluated as suitable for P2G applications. For the P2G demonstration project to be conducted by G-Philos and Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) in 2024, it plans to order a NAS battery system (3) with a maximum 2,000 kW-dc power and 11,600 kWh-dc dischargeable energy. It is to be used as a back-up power source for stable hydrogen manufacturing using renewable energy.
NGK and BSES concluded a sales partnership agreement for NAS battery in 2019, and NAS battery sales have expanded through BASF’s global sales network. NAS batteries are used in various applications including stabilization of renewable energy, electric power demand and supply balancing, and emergency power sources. They have 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 partner with BSES to further promote marketing and sales activities for NAS batteries as a large-capacity storage battery with a strong track record, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy introduction and realization of carbon neutrality globally.
*P2G (Power to Gas): A method of converting surplus electric power generated from wind or solar power into gas fuel such as hydrogen for storage and use.
Overview of the Delivered NAS Batteries
(1) KEPCO’s stationary storage battery performance comparison demonstration project
| Installation site | KEPCO demonstration test site (Naju City, Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea) |
|---|---|
| Output | 1,000 kilowatt DC (maximum output) |
| Capacity | 5,800 kilowatt-hours (at the time of delivery) |
| Units installed | 4 (container type) |
| Applications | Performance comparison of stationary storage batteries |
| Start of operation | April 2023 |
Installed NAS batteries at KEPCO demonstration test site
(2) KOMIPO’s P2G demonstration project
| Installation site | Sangmyung Wind Farm, Jeju Island, South Korea |
|---|---|
| Output | 208 kilowatt DC |
| Capacity | 1,250 kilowatt-hours DC |
| Units installed | 1 (container type) |
| Applications | Stabilization of electric power for wind power generation and hydrogen manufacturing equipment at a P2G project |
| Start of operation | Aug 2020 |
Installed NAS batteries at Sangmyung Wind Farm
(3) KIER’s P2G demonstration project
| Installation site | Samcheok, South Korea |
|---|---|
| Output | 2,000 kilowatt DC (maximum output) |
| Capacity | 11,600 kilowatt-hours DC (at the time of delivery) |
| Units installed | 8 (container type) |
| Applications | Stabilization of electric power for wind power generation and hydrogen manufacturing equipment at a P2G demonstration project |
| Start of operation | Dec 2024 (planned) |
About BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH (BSES)
BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH (BSES) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF SE. BSES distributes the NAS batteries and co-develops the next generation of sodium-sulfur batteries together with NGK Insulators Ltd.
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.
https://www.ngk-insulators.com/en/product/nas-about.html
*NAS batteries container type (including the single batteries and modules on mounted) are covered.
Related links
Topics
Categories
About NGK Insulators
NGK INSULATORS (NGK) is a leading company in the field of ceramics.
Since its foundation in 1919, NGK has used its unique ceramic technology to provide numerous ground-breaking products that solve social issues. Today, NGK is active in more than 20 countries worldwide, with business foci including mobility, energy, IoT and industry. As one of the largest manufacturers of ceramic substrates for automotive catalytic converters, NGK has built on this to also develop new products and businesses with ceramics that actively reducing the strain on our global environment.
Furthermore, NGK’s products include the energy storage system “NAS” batteries, in addition to the compact, thin, and high-energy-density lithium-ion rechargeable battery “EnerCera” line, vital tools for sustainable energy infrastructure.
NGK focuses on the two business fields “carbon neutrality” and” digital society” and is aiming to realize 80% of total company sales in these two fields whilst also achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Through providing innovative, high-quality products, NGK is committed to contributing to our society. In order to create a future where people can coexist with nature, NGK will continue to develop and provide products that support social infrastructure while preserving the environment.
