Sumitomo and NGK Insulators to test RE storage systems

Part of Japanese government project.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry selected both firms to carry out separate projects aimed at developing renewable energy (RE) storage systems for solar and wind power.

The Japanese government will shoulder as much as 75% of development costs until March 2018. If successful, the test could lead to storage systems being considered for export to the global market.

The need for better grid-connected energy storage systems will help the Japanese grid system cope with fluctuating levels of power. There is also poor interconnection between the 10 regional grids, a problem that the trials into storage technologies should help solve.

In August, Sumitomo was selected by Hokkaido Electric Power to participate in the trial of a 60 MWh storage battery system in Hokkaido. The system is expected to become operational in March 2015.