A Milestone for Sodium-Sulphur Storage
Advanced materials company Lava Blue has officially commissioned a 250 kW / 1.45 MWh sodium-sulphur (NAS) battery energy storage system at its PRiSM facility in Brisbane. Manufactured by Japan's NGK, the system is integrated with 200 kW of solar generation and connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM) via Energex's distribution grid. This marks a significant milestone as the first grid-connected NAS battery in Australia.
Long-Duration Capabilities of NAS Technology
Unlike lithium-ion batteries that typically offer two to four hours of storage, sodium-sulphur batteries can discharge for six hours or more at rated capacity. This makes them highly suitable for long-duration energy storage applications, such as renewable energy firming and peak demand management. Furthermore, NAS technology boasts over 20 years of commercial operating experience globally, with approximately 5 GWh deployed across more than 250 applications worldwide.
The project was delivered through the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Queensland Energy Storage Technology (QUEST) Hub, demonstrating strong collaboration between industry and academia to advance local energy solutions.
Local Supply Chain Integration
The deployment also highlights a strong commitment to local manufacturing and integration. Victoria-based Allset Energy provided system integration for the project. Additionally, Queensland manufacturer Advanced Converter Solutions (ACS) supplied the bidirectional DC-DC converter platform. Notably, over 80% of the control unit was manufactured using Australian content, reinforcing the nation's growing capabilities in advanced energy storage deployment. By leveraging proven international technology alongside domestic engineering expertise, the PRiSM facility is set to serve as a vital testing ground for integrating high-duration storage into the Australian grid.
This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.