Japan to test its largest grid storage system

System will consist of two projects generating 80MWh.

Three Japanese energy companies have been commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to design, build and test the two energy storage systems.

The first storage system will use 20MWh lithium-ion batteries. It is designed to address the problem of frequency variation in electricity supply from renewable sources.

The second, a 60MWh redox flow battery system, also deals with frequency variation, but will also be used to research measures for adjusting the electricity supply-demand balance and to research technology to optimally control and manage the battery system.

The three companies cooperating in this project are Tohoku Electric Power Co, Hokkaido Electric Company and Sumitomo Electric Company.

Tohoku Electric will build the 20MWh storage system. The 60MWh system will be built by Hokkaido Electric Company and Sumitomo Electric Industries.

Tohoku Electric’s 20MWh lithium-ion battery project will be located at Nishisendai (west Sendai) substation in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, 50 miles north of Fukushima.

The Hokkaido Electric-Sumitomo system will be situated at Minamihayakita substation on Hokkaido. The 60MWh facility will utilize the largest storage batteries in the world and will function as part of a bulk grid power system.