Toyota: Build and launch a large-capacity scavenging energy storage system from reused electrified vehicle batteries connected to the power grid

JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announce the construction and launch of the world’s first large-capacity energy storage system (at the time of writing, according to Toyota surveys). The system was built from batteries recovered from electrified vehicles (HEV, PHEV, BEV, FCEV) and is connected to the consumer’s electricity grid. It starts working today.

Going forward, the demand for storage batteries is expected to increase as they become necessary supply stabilization tools during the expansion of renewable energy in the movement towards reducing CO2 emissions, a key element in achieving the carbon neutrality. At the same time, limited supplies of battery materials, including cobalt and lithium, mean there is a continued need for environmentally conscious initiatives, such as the recovery of used electrified vehicle batteries for a efficient use as storage batteries. In response, JERA and Toyota began discussions in 2018 to establish battery reuse technologies, which ultimately led to this large-capacity, grid-connected scavenging energy storage system.

Toyota’s new storage system is equipped with a feature called scanning, which allows batteries from salvaged vehicles, which show significant differences in performance and capacity, to be used at their full capacity, regardless of their level of deterioration. . The sweep function, developed by Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc., is a device that can freely control energy discharge by turning on and off the flow of electricity (bypass) through series-connected batteries within microseconds.

Additionally, the sweep function also allows direct AC output from the batteries, while the reuse of on-board inverters eliminates the need for a power conditioner (PCS). This helps to reduce cost and avoid power loss when converting from AC to DC by PCS, with the aim of improving the efficient use of energy.

The project plans to operate grid storage batteries for charging and discharging operations, connected to Chubu Electric Power Grid Co., Inc.’s power distribution system from a facility (see below * 1) from the Yokkaichi Thermal Power Plant of JERA. JERA and Toyota aim to introduce around 100,000 kWh of supplied electricity in the mid-2020s, thereby not only reducing the overall cost of the energy storage system, but also contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Installation overview

*1 Selected by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment to carry out a “FY2022 Project for Early Social Implementation of a Decarbonized Metal Recycling System”.

In addition, JERA is developing a low environmental impact process for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries for electrified vehicles*2, which Toyota plans to support by leveraging the expertise and knowledge it has accumulated through its initiatives. battery recycling to date. By collecting used batteries and reusing resources, the two companies hope to accelerate their efforts to achieve a resource-recycling society.

JERA will continue to work proactively not only within the energy industry, but also with leading companies in Japan and abroad to develop technologies such as battery storage systems and services that contribute to an optimal use of energy with a view to achieving a carbon-free society and the recycling of resources.

Toyota actively promotes the adoption of electrified vehicles and seeks efficient use of batteries, including the reuse of batteries from electrified vehicles, for the development of social infrastructure that will support the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles, expand the use of renewables and promote the recycling of resources with a view to achieving carbon neutrality.

THE SOURCE: Toyota