BASF and NGK are expanding their cooperation. In addition to the sales partnership agreement for NAS® batteries announced in June, they have entered into a joint development agreement to develop the next generation of sodium-sulfur batteries. Making use of BASF’s chemistry expertise and NGK’s expertise in battery design and manufacturing, the two companies aim to expand the performance range of NAS batteries and thus open up new markets.
NGK’s NAS battery is the world’s first commercialized megawatt-class battery which can store large amounts of electricity for hours. The NAS battery system provides superior features, including larger capacity, higher energy density, and longer life compared to other battery technologies. These features are beneficial for stationary applications ‒ in contrast to lithium-ion batteries, for example, which are suited to deliver high power over shorter periods.
The NAS battery system supports the increasing integration of fluctuating renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the grid. It also enables deferral of transmission upgrade, because the electricity does not have to be transmitted immediately after being produced but can be discharged on demand. Furthermore, NAS batteries are used for the stabilization of electricity supply and emergency power supply for industrial customers and micro/off grids.
- BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany
- NGK INSULATORS, LTD., Nagoya, Japan www.ngk-insulators.com
