Queensland University of Technology – IGO Ltd Nova, WA

In February 2023, Australia’s very first commercial sodium-sulfur battery energy storage system (BESS) was deployed in Outback Australia in record time!

As BASF Australia’s EPC, Allset Energy was commissioned by The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to design, construct and commission Australia’s first NAS® BESS at the IGO Ltd Nova nickel copper cobalt mine site, 600km East of Perth. The NAS® Battery, manufactured by NGK in Japan and distributed globally by BASF Stationary Storage GmbH, is a globally mature technology, now available in Australia.

The BESS solution, comprising a 1.45MWh NAS® Battery*, a 250kW PCS (power conversion system) and an innovative solar shading structure, was deployed by Allset Energy in only 15 days and operates in one of Australia’s most arduous environments with no battery air conditioning and low maintenance requirements. The project will demonstrate the NAS® Battery’s capability to shift large quantities of renewable energy over prolonged periods (6 or more hours) to support major steps towards diesel displacement and therefore carbon neutrality; the results of which will be remotely monitored by the National Battery Testing Centre (NBTC) at QUT.

QUT Associate Professor, Dr Joshua Watts said ”Allset Energy were incredibly supportive throughout the project and demonstrated a keen willingness to collaborate with partners and provide a high-quality product, delivering Australia’s first NAS® BESS project under strenuous conditions in a highly professional and streamlined manner.”

Ross Sang, BASF Business Development Manager, added “Allset Energy leveraged its specialist expertise to design, project manage and successfully deliver the first commercial deployment of the NAS® Battery in Australia. This project is a major milestone demonstrating the suitability of the NAS® Battery in even the toughest of climates and the potential it offers for large-scale deployment across the country.”

The project was realised through the collaborative efforts of BASF, IGO Ltd, the National Battery Testing Centre at QUT and Allset Energy, and with the support of the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre. This Australian first was featured in media announcements around the country.

*The NAS® Battery is a scalable modular base unit of 250 kW/1.45 MWh designed to be installed at gigawatt scale.