Hitachi, Shin-Kobe to plug in 1.5-MW hybrid power storage system

Dec 29, 2014 - Japanese firms Hitachi Ltd (TYO:6501) and Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co Ltd (TYO:6934) will tie to the grid a 1.5-MW hybrid power storage facility on an island in southern Japan to help ensure more stable power supply.

The large-scale power system will be connected to the electricity network of the Izu Oshima island as they have an agreement with regional utility Tokyo Electric Power Inc (TYO:9501), Hitachi said on Wednesday. The diversified company and its partner will test the facility’s functions, including peak shift adjustment and reduction of short-period fluctuation, in fiscal 2015/16. The partners have been testing the concept since 2011.

The hybrid power storage system is equipped with lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion capacitors. Its main purpose is to ensure optimal control of current input/output. The Hitachi/Shin-Kobe facility will go live at a time when the growing renewable energy capacity in Japan and its fluctuating output is raising challenges for the grid's stability. The Izu Oshima island is suitable for the hybrid power storage project as its grid is independent and the impact of adding more and more renewable energy capacity is significant.

Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery is an affiliate of Hitachi Chemical Co Ltd (TYO:4217).

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