Toyota to develop storage battery system using EV components

The implement structure for a stationary storage battery system using electric vehicle storage batteries. (Illustration: Toyota)

With a goal toward building a stable energy supply system using recycled vehicle storage batteries, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO HD) and Toyota Motor Corp. have developed a stationary storage battery system (1 MW output, 3 MWh capacity) that combines TEPCO’s operating technology and safety standards for stationary storage batteries and Toyota’s system technology for electrified vehicle storage batteries.

The system is expected to be installed this summer in the Eurus Tashirotai Wind Farm by Toyota Tsusho Corp. and its subsidiary Eurus Energy Holdings Corp. The four companies will begin a collaborative verification project around fall of this year.

Toyota said the storage battery market is expected to continue growing due to the spread of renewable energy and electrified vehicles, as well as the global trend toward carbon neutrality. It will be necessary to utilize storage batteries for electrified vehicles in the future to meet the increasing demand and needs for energy storage in environmental and economic improvement.

The Eurus Tashirotai Wind Farm is a large-scale wind power plant in Japan that is owned by Eurus Energy Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corp. (Photo: Toyota)

To this end, TEPCO HD and Toyota have jointly developed a stationary storage battery system that can be used in combination with existing Power Conversion System (PCS) by connecting multiple storage batteries for electric vehicles. The verification project will confirm the system’s operation and performance as well as feasibility, including its potential for business use in the electricity market.

TEPCO HD will utilize the knowledge and technological capabilities it has cultivated in the electric power business to improve the utilization of renewable energy and meet the needs of its customers, as well as to maintain the balance between supply and demand of electric power in order to build a stable energy supply system.

Toyota said it will work with Toyota Industries Corp., Toyota Tsusho Corp., and Denso Corp. to utilize storage batteries for electrified vehicles as part of its various activities to realize a circular economy (an economic system based on resource recycling).

TEPCO HD and Toyota will evaluate the results of the verification project and work to develop storage battery systems with an eye toward consumer-oriented energy services and balancing electricity supply and demand capabilities in order to meet the energy storage needs of customers.

In addition, TEPCO HD and Toyota said they will promote the use of storage batteries by continuing their efforts to build an energy system through local production for local consumption, and realize a recycling-oriented society for electrified vehicle storage batteries.