BASF contributes to renewable energy solutions

Battery storage

By BASF Australia

Floods, cyclones, bushfires: 2020 was marked by natural disasters in Australia. As a result, the topic of sustainable and reliable energy is more important than ever to the Australian population.

To drive the movement towards a more sustainable lifestyle in Australia, numerous federal and state-led initiatives focusing on green hydrogen and batteries have been launched. Plans are in place for Australia's coalfired power plants to be replaced by renewable energies by 2040, and The Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) is working with industry, researchers, governments, and the community to drive several flagship projects in this space.

Whilst wind and solar energy already play an important role in Australia’s renewable energy mix – a total of 2.3GW of solar capacity was installed around the country in 2020 – these energy sources have their own challenges. Most notably, as energy sources they are intermittent in nature, meaning when it is cloudy or there is little wind, only very small amounts of energy can be generated, and on sunny or windy days, more energy is generated than can be consumed. Therefore, there is the need for solutions that can level out these fluctuations and ensure a reliable power supply.

German chemical company BASF has risen to this real-world challenge, partnering with Japanese ceramics manufacturer NGK Insulators Ltd (NGK). BASF New Business GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF, currently distributes sodium-sulfur (NAS®) batteries produced by NGK. The partners are also jointly developing the next generation of NAS®’ batteries.

Designed for stationary energy storage applications, NAS® batteries can store a high amount of energy that can be discharged when needed over a 4 to 8-hour period to ensure reliable power supply. The high-energy, longduration NAS® batteries are climate resilient, offer enhanced safety and are environmentally conscious with no toxic materials used.

NAS® BATTERIES

The system shown at top is 4 container combined system and each NAS® battery is a containerised solution which come as a package with a battery management system (BMS). One container has a power of 250kW and an energy content of 1450kWh.

1 container

1450kWh energy content

250kW power

“At BASF we are passionate about creating solutions for a sustainable future and we know that sustainable technology will play a key role in addressing renewable energy challenges,” said Phil McColl, BASF Regional Business Manager Mining Solutions Asia Pacific & Head of Mining Australia and New Zealand.

“We see promising potential for NAS® batteries to support both industry and consumers in having access to a reliable power supply that, in effect, reduces CO2 emissions and saves energy costs at the same time.”

NAS® batteries are a containerised solution which come as package with a battery management system (BMS). One container has a power of 250kW and an energy content of 1450kWh. The modular container design allows the battery to be built out to GWhsized systems, as well as expanded in the future to meet increased energy needs. NAS® batteries maintain their functionality for at least 20 years or 7300 equivalent operation cycles (whichever comes first). The battery can also be charged to 100% and discharged to 0% without negative impact on its lifespan.

“Implementation of NAS® batteries at global sites have already proved successful in diverse microgrid and grid connected applications”, reports Dr Seong Han Yu, Sales Manager Australia Business Build-Up E-Power Management BASF New Business GmbH. Since 2011, a NAS® battery system has supported a facility with a 1MW/7.2MWh microgrid on Catalina Island, CA, USA. At this site, the NAS® battery system has been used to optimise the conventional diesel-fuelled generator, thus regulating voltage, and stabilising the island’s power system whilst offering environment protection and cost reductions. With Australia’s geographical size, there is similar application potential in industries such as mining, where remote communities could benefit from reliable and sustainable energy storage.

Implementation of NAS® batteries at global sites have already proved successful...

NAS® batteries can also be combined with other types of energy storage technologies to achieve optimal energy use and costs. This is the case in Varel, Germany, where a hybrid system with 4MW/20MWh NAS® and 2.5MWh Li-ion batteries has been in operation at a demonstration project since 2018, illustrating the synergy of meeting power requirements with lithium-ion and energy requirements with the NAS® battery system. While Australia has been a heavy adopter of renewable generation (solar/wind), energy storage and power generation are critical elements in an overall solution.

BASF New Business has optimistic plans for NAS® batteries in entering the Australian market, and is currently in discussion with potential customers about the first projects in Australia.

“With Australia’s favourable conditions for energy generated by solar and wind, and the deployment of a commercialised and proven stationary, high-energy, long-duration energy storage device like NAS® batteries, it really is a win-win for sustainability and reliability,” concluded Dr Han Yu. “We’re looking forward to bringing the first units to Australia and support our customers’ transition to fully developed, sustainable energy solutions.”

To learn more about NAS Batteries, visit www.nasbatteries.basf.com.

In Varel, Germany, a hybrid system with 4MW/20MWh NAS and 2.5MWh Li-ion batteries has been in operation at a demonstration project since2018.

Since 2011, a NAS® battery system has supported a facility with a 1MW/7.2MWh microgrid on Catalina Island, CA, USA.

About us

BASF in Australia and New Zealand serves key industries in the agriculture, coatings, manufacturing and mining sectors, and posted sales of about €348 million in Australia and New Zealand in 2020. As of the end of 2020, the company had 394 employees and operated 6 production sites across agricultural solutions, performance products and functional materials and solutions. BASF has been active in Australia for more than 90 years, and for about 60 years in New Zealand. Further information is available on the internet at www. basf.com/au.