Toyota City, Japan, October 27, 2022―JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announce the construction and launch of the world’s first (as of writing, according to Toyota’s investigations) large-capacity Sweep Energy Storage System. The system was built using batteries reclaimed from electrified vehicles (HEV, PHEV, BEV, FCEV) and is connected to the consumer electrical power grid. It begins operation today.
In the future, demand for storage batteries is expected to grow as they become necessary supply-stabilizing tools when expanding renewable energy in the movement toward CO2 emissions reduction, a vital part of achieving carbon neutrality. At the same time, limited supplies of battery materials including cobalt and lithium, mean there is an ongoing need for environmentally conscious initiatives, such as reclaiming used electrified vehicle batteries for effective use as storage batteries. In response, JERA and Toyota began discussions in 2018 to establish battery reuse technologies, which eventually led to this large-capacity, grid-connected Sweep Energy Storage System.
Toyota’s new storage system is equipped with a function called sweep, which allows the use of reclaimed vehicle batteries, which have significant differences in performance and capacity, to 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 switching electricity flow on and off (bypassing) through series-connected batteries in microseconds.
Furthermore, the sweep function also enables direct AC output from the batteries, while reusing onboard inverters eliminate the need for a power conditioner (PCS). That contributes to reducing costs and helps avoid power loss when converting from AC to DC by PCS, with the aim of improving effective energy use.
The project plans to operate grid storage batteries for recharge and discharge operations, connected to the Chubu Electric Power Grid Co., Inc. power distribution system from a facility (see below*1) at JERA’s Yokkaichi Thermal Power Station. JERA and Toyota aim to introduce approximately 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 reduction of CO2 emissions.
Facility Overview
| Location | 1 Saburo-machi, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture (within Yokkaichi Thermal Power Station) |
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| Scale | 485 kW / 1,260 kWh |
| Types | Lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal-hydride batteries, lead-acid batteries |
| *1 | Selected by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment to conduct an “FY2022 Project for Early Social Implementation of a Decarbonized Metal Recycling System.” |
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In addition, JERA is developing a low environmental impact process for recycling lithium-ion batteries for electrified vehicles*2, which Toyota plans to support by leveraging the expertise and knowledge it has accumulated through its battery recycling initiatives to date. By collecting used batteries and reusing resources, both companies hope to accelerate their efforts toward achieving a resource-recycling society.
| *2 | (JERA Press Release, April 19, 2022) |
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JERA will continue to work proactively not only within the energy industry but also with leading companies in Japan and overseas to develop technologies such as battery storage systems and services that contribute to optimal energy utilization toward achieving a decarbonized and resource-recycling society.
Toyota actively promotes electrified vehicle adoption and pursues effective battery use, including electrified vehicle battery reuse, for the development of social infrastructure that will support the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles, expand the use of renewable energy, and promote resource recycling toward achieving carbon neutrality.
“Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it”
As part of efforts to pass our beautiful “³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Planet” to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls “Achieving Zero,” hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking “Beyond Zero” to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.
- About Beyond Zero
Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.
- SDGs Initiatives
