NaS batteries offer long lifetime and reliable performance

The value proposition of a battery is linked to its total lifespan. A long lifespan provides a higher return on investment, as there is less chance of the need to replace that battery over the total project period. A battery’s lifespan should therefore be able to match the optimal financial period of the project.

Specifying a battery with a low or unproven lifespan is a risk which may have significant financial implications. Battery degradation over time affects performance and thus may affect lifespan, particularly if performance drops to a level which require batteries to be replaced.

Energy vs. power batteries – different applications require different batteries

Energy batteries are designed for use in applications which require a reliable, long-term supply of power at the rated output. Examples include uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), mobile phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, electric vehicles, and the like.

Power batteries, on the other hand, are designed to provide short bursts of high-power energy. Power batteries are found in automotive, industrial, and rapid charge applications.

High energy density or high-power density?

Energy storage systems with a high energy density can store a lot of energy in a small amount of mass. High energy density, however, does not necessarily mean a high-power density. A system with a high energy density, but low power density can perform work for a relatively long period of time. An example of this type of energy storage is a mobile phone battery. Its power will last most of the day before being recharged.

High-power density systems can provide large amounts of current based upon its mass. For example, a tiny supercapacitor may have the same power output as a large battery. However, since the capacitor is so much smaller, it has a higher power density. Since they release their energy quickly, high-power density systems can also recharge quickly. An example application of this type of energy storage is a camera flash. It must be small enough to fit inside the camera but have a high enough power output to fire the flashtube.

Performance and reliability of NaS batteries

Not all battery technologies are the same, and buyers who think storage is a commodity are mistaken. One needs to fully interrogate application, lifespan, degradation and other risk factors in detail, knowing that many technologies remain unproven over the longer term.

Battery performance warrantees are often conditional on adhering to strict operating parameters over long periods. This is where NaS Battery technology stands out as being more robust and less likely than other technologies to experience decay due to these factors. This as well as a long life makes NaS batteries a more bankable solution.

NaS batteries are high-energy, long-duration stationary storage batteries. They tolerate 100% depth of discharge and exhibit low levels of degradation. They have ideal characteristics for use in long-term energy release. This makes NaS ideal for use in utility-scale or micro-grid energy storage systems to extend the useable output of a renewable energy power plant such as a solar PV or wind.

By storing excess energy generated during off-peak times, NaS batteries can provide additional power by discharging during periods of peak demand. NaS batteries can provide resource adequacy capacity of six hours or more per day, providing a green alternative to fossil fuel-powered so-called “peaker” plants.

NaS battery systems have been deployed for up to 20 years, at more than 200 projects worldwide, with total deployments of 560 MW and 4 GWh. This gives NaS batteries a longer proven track record than any other utility scale battery technology, and until 2018 NaS was the world’s most specified utility battery technology.

Benefits of NaS batteries

Long duration

NaS batteries are the most effective way to store large amounts of electrical energy discharging for six hours at rated output.

Continuous power supply

NaS batteries make the continuous power supply with solar feasible as they can discharge for six to ten hours, and for 14 to 18 hours at one-third of the rated output.

Fast Response

When used with a fast power conversion system (PCS), NaS systems can respond to grid commands to store or deliver electrical energy in tens of milliseconds.

Compact

20 feet container NAS batteries can be stapled by 2 and flexibly deployed in smaller spaces

For more information on NaS batteries, contact engineer@altum.energy

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