Australia Launches First Grid Connected Sodium Sulfur Battery System

Australia has officially launched its first grid-connected sodium-sulfur (NAS) battery energy storage system at the Centre for Predictive Research into Specialty Materials (PRiSM) in Brisbane. Developed by Lava Blue, the 250 kW/1.45 MWh installation integrates with 200 kW of onsite solar generation to power energy-intensive mineral processing operations. By connecting to the National Electricity Market, the project serves as a vital demonstration of long-duration storage technology. This initiative, supported by the Queensland Energy Storage Technology Hub, highlights the potential for NAS batteries to provide grid stability and renewable energy firming for industrial applications.

The battery system, manufactured by Japan’s NGK, is capable of discharging for six hours or more, offering a significant advantage over the two-to-four-hour duration typical of lithium-ion alternatives. Lava Blue Managing Director Michael McCann noted that the facility provides a perfect environment to test this technology under genuine industrial conditions. By pairing the battery with solar power, the company can supply its high-temperature processing loads with renewable energy for extended periods, offering a practical model for how advanced manufacturing can align with future energy systems.

This project was delivered through a collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and the state government. Electrical engineering and system integration were handled by Allset Energy, while Queensland-based Advanced Converter Solutions provided a specialized bidirectional DC-DC converter platform. With over 80% of the control unit featuring Australian content, the installation underscores a commitment to domestic manufacturing. As the first grid-connected NAS system in the country, the PRiSM site will provide essential operational data to inform the future deployment of long-duration energy storage technologies across the Australian energy landscape.