Sodium Sulfur (NaS) batteries are high capacity battery systems developed for electric power applications. A NaS battery consists of liquid (molten) sulfur at the positive electrode and liquid (molten) sodium at the negative electrode as active materials separated by a solid beta alumina ceramic electrolyte. The electrolyte allows only the positive sodium ions to go through it and combine with the sulfur to form sodium polysulfides.
2Na + 4S = Na2S4
During discharge, as positive Na+ ions flow through the electrolyte and electrons flow in the external circuit of the battery producing about 2 volts. This process is reversible as charging causes sodium polysulfides to release the positive sodium ions back through the electrolyte to recombine as elemental sodium. This hermetically sealed battery is kept at approximately 300 oC and is operated under conditions such that the active materials at both electrodes are liquid and the electrolyte is solid. At this temperature, since both active materials react rapidly and because the internal resistance is low, the NAS battery performs well. Because of reversible charging and discharging the NAS battery can be used continuously.
NaS battery cells are efficient ( about 89%) and have a pulse power capability over six times their continuous rating (for 30 seconds). This attribute enables the NaS battery to be economically used in combined power quality and peak shaving applications.
Multiple batteries are installed in a single, heated and vacuum insulated module as shown in this rendition.
Only one company is producing NaS batteries, NGK, of Japan.
The two largest NGK NAS® battery systems were installed since 2003 and are now in operation. One is located at Hitachi, Ltd.’s Automotive Systems Group. The system has enabled Hitachi to significantly reduce electricity costs through load leveling (using electricity supplied by the grid at night during the daytime). Consisting of four 2MW NAS® batteries, this system has the same output wattage as an 8MW system installed at the Morigasaki Water Reclamation Center operated by the Bureau of Sewerage, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Both systems have an energy capacity of approximately 58MWh, making them the largest energy storage battery systems in the world. These NAS® battery systems also provide backup power supplies in the event of power outages or momentary voltage sags, contributing to more reliable operations at customer sites.
NaS battery technology has been used at over 30 sites in Japan totaling more than 28 MW with stored energy suitable for 8 hours daily peak shaving. Combined power quality and peak shaving applications in the U.S. market are under evaluation.
Resources:
Electric Storage Association, Technologies & Applications, Technologies/NaS
NGK Insulators, LTD. , Power Business, Nagoya, Japan
Technorati tags: batteries, energy storage, energy, technology
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Posted by: Victoria | August 04, 2006 at 06:07 PM
how do they keep the batteries at 300 degrees C. this is a tremendous amount of energy, isn't it?
Posted by: Glen Inouye | September 24, 2007 at 12:49 AM
It will require a significant amount of energy to initially raise the cells to 300 degrees, but since they are well insulated, it requires very little to keep them at that temperature. In fact the energy wasted during the charge discharge cycles (owing to the cells not being 100% efficient) is enough to maintain them at that temperature.
Posted by: stolennomenclature | November 05, 2007 at 10:09 PM
Regarding efficiency of 89%, I assume this does not include efficiency losses of inverter. Assuming 15 - 20 % losses in AC to DC and back, would total round trip efficiency be closer to 69% - 74%?
Also, I've read that NGK system can cycle 2,500 and also 4,000. Which is correct, and what happens to system at maximum cycles?
Posted by: Charles R. Toca | November 08, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Vanadium Redox batteris are also used for high level of energy storage. Out of these two,which battery system is more efficir=ent and cost effective
Posted by: m.c.bhatnagar | May 29, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I have a concept idea whereby individuals with a minimum investment to pay for the costs of this mobile generator to generate, store and will be able use or sell excess electricity to National Grids.This will result in significant reductions of fossil fuel dependency. The idea has merit is workable and will make any country to be less fossil fuel dependent.The idea is already in the hands of an American Investment company who have expressed more than a passing interest in it.I am a student with a mind full of ideas on how to improve the lives of many suffering under the burden of high fossil fuel costs. I am hoping that with the help of this American Investment Company the yoke of bondage caused by high fossil fuel costs will be broken. Errol Smythe
Posted by: Errol Smythe | July 18, 2008 at 06:53 AM
America is sucking hind tit on the energy front. Why? check out all of the independent developers of technology that is available now. they're dead!
Posted by: alexander carlyle | July 29, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Can you confirm that the Sodium Sulphur battery was first conceived and researched at the Electricity Council Research Centre, Capenhurst, Nr Chester,UK in the early 70s
Posted by: Peter Francis | October 10, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Hello,
I was wondering why the electrodes have to be in molten estate. Is it to facilitate ion's movement, or is it imposed by thermodinamical constraints ?(chemical reactions efficiency dependant on operating temperature leads to 300ºC op. temp)
Thanks
Posted by: david espinosa duran | February 12, 2009 at 08:31 AM
the new company combinding technology to take you off the grid is based in new york longIsland I think they go by the name Energenics systems i saw them at a LIFT meting
Posted by: Robert Wilkinson | April 13, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has an idea of what the cost (USD) per MW installed capacity is of these batteries and how long they take to charge once fully exhausted?
Thanks
Shane
Posted by: Shane Thatcher | June 09, 2009 at 06:47 AM
I was wondering why the electrodes have to be in molten estate. Is it to facilitate ion's movement
Posted by: adapters | July 27, 2009 at 02:45 AM
Anyone know why there is only one company produce Nas battery?
Posted by: JohnM | September 04, 2009 at 05:23 PM
We of The United States of America don't lead anymore We follow at a very safe distance, or just get out of the way.
Oh, and wait til a profit is assured to an international conglomerate (big and getting bigger entities) are in total control.
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I have read a lot about this on other articles written by other people, but I must admit that you is the best.
Posted by: shirleybeaty | March 22, 2010 at 02:39 AM
The idea is already in the hands of an American Investment company who have expressed more than a passing interest in it.I am a student with a mind full of ideas on how to improve the lives of many suffering under the burden of high fossil fuel costs.
Yuasa NP7-12
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Battery power had increased over the last few years but it is still something that holds us back. I expect there will be advances made through necessity.
Posted by: financial spread betting | June 29, 2010 at 02:00 AM
The writeup on the 4MW sodium sulfur battery at Presidio, Texas says that the main obstacle for installation was regulatory.
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Poor edward has to do his work after dinner and he couldn’t go with us to play football. Because he dare not go against his mother’s orders. What a pity!
Posted by: Jordans 5 | July 24, 2010 at 03:22 AM
how do they keep the batteries at 300 degrees C. this is a tremendous amount of energy, isn't it?
Posted by: Monogram Multicolor | August 04, 2010 at 03:30 AM
James, trying to contact you and my emails get bounced back as spam. Am writing article about the recent progress in NaS/NMC and would like to chat. Mike (editor, Batteries International)
Posted by: Mike Halls | August 07, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I have question: Could sodium sulfide battery work for a railroad operation.
Posted by: Dean Roseland | August 15, 2010 at 08:25 PM
Mr. Roseland, that is a possiblity, like the Son the battery of the Father works just as well.PFC Roseland
Posted by: Edardy1950 | September 27, 2010 at 02:56 PM
OK this very informative and very new for me thank you there is the sodium -sulfur
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Posted by: ティファニー 激安 | January 20, 2011 at 01:44 AM
Hi,
I was involved in NAS battery developement at ABB in Germany. In the early 90ties there was a joint venture with NGK called Nastech. ABB focused on NAS batteries for cars and NGK on load levelling.ABB stopped it's NAS business in 95, NGK proceeded. RWE - a German power supplier run a facility in Runcorn (UK) for NAS batteries named "Silent Power". They stopped business around 96.
To date NGK is the only company capable of manufacturing large scale NaS batteries.
I am still quite convinced of this type of battery - it is low maintanance, high power and long running without a tremendous loss of capacity over lifetime. The principles are easy to understand but it took lots of efforts - 20 years- to build up a mass production. The devil is in the details.
Not easy to copy!
Posted by: Dr. Rüdiger Hartung | March 26, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Is it possible for an NAS battery to be produced that will be applicable to residential use as a back-up system for Solar or Wind generated Energy?
We presently are looking at about 20 1000c.amp. 12v batteries to provide about 48 hours of back-up for a Solar application (obviously not all Peak usage but then wouldn't expect it to be).
This of course is not really very acceptable to the typical consumer as most folks simply want a maintenance free/trouble free system for their power resource, even if it meant no more electric bill (or at least very low ones).
What we really need is a consumer care free back-up system that is 1) affordable 2) Maintenance free 3) very long lasting 4) quick to re-cycle with a charge 5) actually will make the Solar application the co-gen partner and not the primary Energy source; and I suspect there are a number of things I'm not thinking about right now but any thoughts or suggestions form any of you would be very much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Dave
Posted by: Dave | March 31, 2011 at 04:30 PM
I was wondering why the electrodes have to be in molten estate. Is it to facilitate ion's movement, or is it imposed by thermodinamical constraints ?
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Posted by: Notebook Akkus | May 22, 2011 at 10:09 AM
HI MY NAME IS JOHN AND I AM FROM GREEECE!!!!!I GOT A SUNTHERMIC SYSTEM (1KW) AND IAM INTERESTED FOR NAS BATTERIES TO SAVE ENERGY FOR JUST TWO HOURS!!!I WONDER IF SOMEONE WOULD COME TO GREECE FOR TELLING ME THE PRICES AND CLOSE THE DEAL!!!!!
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NUMBER :OO306945416421 OR [email protected]
Posted by: lefteris petalas | June 13, 2011 at 06:25 AM
how do they keep the batteries at 300 degrees C. this is a tremendous amount of energy, isn't it?
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