(1) Development of energy storage systemsWe will develop our own energy storage systems, which are expected to cope with fluctuations in renewable energy and to adjust their performance. We will contribute to the diffusion of energy storage systems that support the introduction of renewable energy, aiming to enable a cheaper and more flexible system configuration compared to the existing products.
In Europe, the electricity market using energy storage systems is growing. We are developing energy storage system business in the UK and other countries, and have acquired consistent expertise from project development to EPC, operation and maintenance. Also developing and operating a system to control the charging and discharging of this energy storage system, and we will continue to improve this system by accumulating our track record, giving us the know-how to stabilize the grid that will be needed when renewable energy is widely introduced in Japan.
(2) Development of aggregation systemsWe have participated in the VPP (Virtual Power Plant) demonstration project from the beginning and acquired VPP-related technologies. We have partnered with European aggregators who are leading the way in the electric power market to learn about advanced aggregation systems that use renewable energy as a resource and provide the best suited aggregation systems for the Japanese market, which is about to take off.
(3) Development of energy management systemsWe develop and provide energy management systems for smart communities that aim to combine renewable energy for local production for local consumption and creation of local communities, and improvement of their resilience. We are participating in the smart community promoted in Katsurao Village, that is an innovative project using 100% renewable energy, and will contribute to society with management technology that will accelerate the use of renewable energy as the main power source.
2. Activities related to diffusion and introductionWe will gain the expertise from Europe where is developed market of using renewable energy and give back to Japan and other countries. At the same time, we will accelerate the introduction of renewable energy and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by developing and deploying technologies in Japan.
(1) Domestic market・ In the new power markets that will be launched in conjunction with power system reforms, we will utilize the know-how of our European power storage system and aggregation businesses.・ We will develop business to stabilize the supply of energy using distributed power sources, mainly renewable energy, for smart communities and off-grid areas such as remote islands.・ We will develop energy service business by introducing energy-saving technologies and renewable energy sources for energy-intensive facilities.
(2) Overseas Microgrid and Renewable Energy Business・ For remote islands and off-grid areas overseas where there is no electricity or a shortage of electricity supply, we will introduce a hybrid power generation and management system that utilizes renewable energy to develop all day and night electricity supply business.・ We will develop new business that contribute to the development and improvement of other life infrastructures in line with the supply of electricity, and revitalize the region in line with the characteristics of the region and demand from other regions.
(3) Storage battery business in Europe・ As the energy storage system business in Europe, we will provide one-stop services including planning, EPC, operation, maintenance, and aggregation.・ We will expand our storage battery system business and contribute to grid stabilization through the use of storage battery systems that respond to the accelerated introduction of renewable energy.
Amid growing concerns about global warming, promoting the spread and expansion of renewable energy is an unavoidable task for us, as humans, if we are to achieve a sustainable low-carbon society. Since the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme in July 2012 in Japan, the use of renewable energy has increased rapidly, particularly with the generation of solar photovoltaic power.
One of the crucial points in this project is the utilization of inexpensive used EV batteries. Currently, power storage is still costly, and the high price has been a major hurdle for constructing power storage systems. However, by utilizing used EV batteries that have once completed their service life in vehicles, we can create a second life for them in the power storage systems at an economical cost.
As the owner of this project, Sumitomo Corporation pursues the creation of new value in the area of power and energy by bridging two key technologies, EV and renewable energy, to realize a low-carbon society. Using this project as a showcase, we also wish to contribute to the vitalization of the local economy.
Energy management centering on power storage is not only useful for small, remote islands in Japan and overseas, but is also suited to residential areas in the Japanese mainland where the issue of how to expand the installation of renewable energy is being addressed. To achieve this objective, it is important to further develop the business to make it sustainable over the long term by contributing to society and the environment while simultaneously creating a scheme for generating stable revenues.
The current FIT scheme has accelerated investment to renewable energy centering on solar panels, but even if we can generate more environmentally superior renewable energy, we still have to maintain the operation of thermal power plants to override fluctuations and stabilize supply volumes. In order to continue to expand the use of renewable energy, we need to construct a new framework for the overall system, which will include technology, such as batteries, to stabilize the supply.
This reused EV battery project on the Koshiki Islands was commenced as a joint business in partnership with the local government and a private-sector enterprise that share our awareness of the issue. Because this type of project has no precedent in Japan, we often encounter issues in terms of technology and institutional systems. To open up new frontiers, however, we must be willing to take the first step.
To complete the task at hand, it is important to keep in mind our overall aspiration: To contribute to society through the dissemination of renewable energy. The trust we have earned from the other members of this project has been a big help in keeping us oriented and moving steadily toward the goal.
In March 2013, Satsumasendai City enacted a Next-Generation Energy Vision and Action Plan and has since been promoting urban development through the utilization of next-generation energy. This project is an important step in this effort. It helps us facilitate the environment for introducing renewable energy on a small-scale on the Koshiki Islands while simultaneously revitalizing the community by generating a new energy service business.
In the future, we will encourage residents of the islands to drive EVs powered with renewable energy and will pursue the development of a low-carbon cycle based on reused EV batteries to further spread the use of renewable energy. Through these efforts we hope to develop the Koshiki Islands into "eco-islands" and leverage the associated brand power to promote tourism.
Because this is a new initiative, there are many hurdles that we need to overcome in terms of technology as well as institutional systems. Therefore, I feel that the key to succeeding in this project is the ability of Sumitomo Corporation personnel to actively visit the local operation sites and the firm''s management ability in terms of overcoming issues and dealing with regulations by coordinating with stakeholders.
I wish to continue working toward the realization of this project by closely collaborating with Sumitomo Corporation. I hope that together we can create a model of community revitalization using next-generation energy and spread it at home and abroad under the name "KOSHIKISHIMA."
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