NGK Insulators high temperature (320C) high capacity sodium sulfur batteries for grid storage first went into mass production in 2003. No one has followed their lead on this technology, but they have survived the onslaught of lithium ion batteries. This latest improvement will further extend the lifetime of this technology.

@Gasbag,

The batteries are not "under development". They are ready for large scale manufacturing. Here is a statement from the BASF/NGK press release (https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2024/06/p-24-216.html):

"The new concept complies with the latest safety standards for energy storage installations, such as UL1973 and UL9540A, and underlines the high degree of safety for NAS installations.

NAS batteries are long-duration, high-energy stationary storage batteries. They feature long life and enhanced safety and can provide a stable power supply over six hours or longer. In more than 20 years they have been deployed at over 250 locations worldwide, with a total output of almost five gigawatt-hours. NAS batteries are used for various use cases, including stabilizing of renewable energy and optimizing its utilization, through peak shaving and load balancing as well as emergency power supply. NAS Batteries are one of key contributors to a successful energy transition and carbon neutrality.

BASF will begin deliveries of NAS MODEL L24 in the second half of 2024."

For grid storage you could have a solid oxide fuel cell then use the waste heat
to keep the sulfur liquid at 300 C , that would make it more efficient.

@Roger,
Thanks. I stand corrected. I had a few minute break and scanned several articles. They’ve hedged on FCS date giving themselves a six plus month window. If they were confident FCS would be next month or next quarter they probably would have indicated so. If the date slips into next year there isn’t a big penalty.

@Davrmart,

“Peak shaving” is what most large scale grids want now particularly if large scale solar is available. There are compelling financial cases for these now as the most expensive electricity from peaker plants can be replaced with the cheapest sources. New and existing peaker plants are an endangered species because of batteries like these.

> “ hours is still a bit tight for helping the grid”

I think you may have a specific specific grid in mind. Here in the US most grids have peak hours for TOU billing in a 4-6 hour range. This is product is specifically designed for helping the grid.

>Most places are not so fortunate, and to reach
> high renewables in the grid needs a considerable
>element of overnight storage not what batteries
> can provide,

It depends on what is available. Some places have large amounts of large scale hydro while others may have geothermal available which are both suitable for base load. Although not classified as renewable nuclear is also suitable for base load. If you have more of these than you need for base load but not enough for peak load then these batteries can help allowing your grid to store your base load surplus and match it with your peak load.

>Energy Dome should also be considerably
>cheaper than batteries, although possibly not
>these sodium/sulphur jobs.

It seems a bit inauspicious that there was no mention of cost in the press release. If these were actually as cheap as one would hope I would think they would be blaring the cost angle. That advantage may not be realized until they can scale production. OTOH there is no reason to believe that these won’t be generally available within 12 months, Conversely in 2022 Energy Dome was planning to have a large scale pilot up and running in 2024. Have you heard any updates on that recently?