NGK Receives an Order for NAS Batteries for a Renewable Energy Business in Hungary

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.