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Schneider and NGK Partnering on Large-Capacity Energy Storage Systems

November 08, 2017 by Paul Shepard

Schneider Electric along with NGK Insulators, Ltd. announced on November 8 the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which the two companies will explore global opportunities to jointly market NGK's NAS® battery and Schneider Electric's inverter (Conext™ Core XC ES).

With increasing demand and use of renewable energy, there is an increasing need for large-capacity battery storage systems, which can stabilize the distribution of electricity, and global demand is expected to grow going forward.

In November, 2016, the team of NGK and Schneider Electric successfully conducted integration testing of the interface between the NAS battery and ES Box at NGK's factory in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

NGK's NAS battery

The integration of Schneider's outstanding energy management technology and NGK's advanced battery storage technology makes it possible to store large amounts of electricity with a smaller footprint. This offer is unique in the battery storage market and as a source of renewable energy, and it contributes to reduction in CO2 emissions.

The Conext Core XC ES is a series of central inverters designed for high efficiency and flexibility for battery-based energy storage systems. The series has peak efficiency of 99.1% and its flexibility allows the inverter to be configured with voltage and power output up to 680kW.

Schneider's Conext Core XC ES

NGK was the first in the world to commercialize the NAS battery system, which has the capacity to store megawatts of electricity. The NAS battery system boasts an array of superior features, including large capacity, high energy density and long life. It is capable of maintaining high output of electric power for long periods of time.

Since 2002, NGK has delivered NAS battery systems with total output of more than 530,000kW and storage capacity of 3.7 millionkWh at about 200 locations worldwide.

Typical NAS integration with renewables (click on image to enlarge)

The systems are being used for load leveling and emergency power supply as well as stabilizing and smoothing power output from renewable energy sources. NGK continues to support the growth of renewable energy, cutting energy costs and reducing the burden on the environment by supplying large-capacity NAS battery systems.