NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (hereinafter “NGK”) has received an order from BASF Stationary Energy Storage GmbH (hereinafter “BSES”), a subsidiary of German chemical manufacturer BASF SE, for NAS Batteries for a large-scale green hydrogen production project, developed by HH2E, a German green hydrogen producer.

 

The NAS batteries that have been ordered have a maximum output of 18 megawatts and a capacity of 104.4megawatt-hours (72 container-type NAS batteries). They are part of the large-scale project for green hydrogen* production currently under development on the Baltic Sea shore in the north of Germany. The current order is the first delivery batch of the NAS batteries with total capacity of more than 230 megawatt-hours reserved by HH2E for this project. Negotiations for next deliveries are also underway.

 

The NAS batteries will be charged with electricity from intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and will supply power to the electrolyzer for the green hydrogen production process, ensuring efficient utilization of renewable energies and stable green hydrogen production. NAS batteries, capable of high-capacity and long-duration discharge, are well-suited for shifting peak loads over an extended period using electricity derived from renewable energy sources.

 

The NAS batteries’ track record, safety and high reliability as energy storage technology have been highly evaluated, leading to their adoption in this project. This is the first commercial adoption of NAS batteries for green hydrogen production projects.

 

Efforts by countries and companies around the world to decarbonize their business activities and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 are accelerating. Germany, a leading country in renewable energy, aims to become a global leader in hydrogen technologies and has set a target of achieving 10 GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

 

NGK and BSES established a sales partnership agreement for NAS batteries in 2019 and have expanded NAS battery sales through BASF’s global sales network. NAS batteries are used in various applications including those that involve stabilizing renewable energy, balancing electric power demand and supply, and serving as 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 partner with BSES to further promote marketing and sales activities for NAS batteries, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy introduction and the realization of carbon neutrality globally.

 

* Green hydrogen: Hydrogen produced without emitting CO2 during the manufacturing process, using renewable energy sources