ITOCHU Announces Launch of Lithium-ion based Energy Storage System to Materialize Smart City

October 28, 2013

ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it is launching a lithium-ion storage battery system for industrial applications (hereinafter “the system”) with a capacity of 16.8 kWh. The system has been developed and commercialized by NF Corporation (headquartered in Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa; Tsuneo Takahashi, President and Representative Director; hereinafter “NF Corporation”). The system has a backup function that detects blackouts and, if one occurs, automatically supplies electricity to the emergency load (*1). In addition, the system has advanced load following functions, which makes it possible to maintain electricity consumption at the site of its installation at or below the predetermined peak value during standard hours. The system unfailingly controls peak power and facilitates the efficient saving of electricity during the hours with lower electricity rates. With its unique control function, the system will be made commercially available to retail stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, office buildings, factories, condominiums, community centers, schools and many other facilities. This will contribute to the reduction of electricity rates as well as to the improvement of anti-blackout measures. ITOCHU has tentatively delivered the first model of the system to a FamilyMart store for the verification of its effects at a convenience store.

ITOCHU is focusing on the lithium-battery business, positioning it as an eco-friendly business activity that is kind to the global environment. Upstream, ITOCHU is involved in the development, manufacture and marketing of lithium resources and major battery components such as cathode- and anode -electrode materials. Downstream, it is concentrating on the marketing of the system and will also remain committed to the development of a value chain utilizing the group’s network, covering the entire process from raw material procurement to the development of applications.
(*1) Electric equipment to be operated in the event of a blackout

Major features of the system

1.Advanced peak shaving and peak shift with our unique development of load following control (patent pending)
2.Expandability and long-term reliability
3.Small size

Product photo

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Information about the product

NF Corporation’s electricity storage system (source: website of NF Corporation) http://www.nfcorp.co.jp/pro/as/products/bat_sys/index.html[Open in a new window]

Outline specifications

Battery capacity 16.8 kWh
Rated power 5.0 kVA (at the rated voltage of 202 V); 2.5 kVA in self-sustained operation (at the rated voltage of 101 V hours)
Electrical mode Single-phase three-wire
External size 860mm(W) x 1600mm(H) x 500mm(D)
Weight Approx. 500 kg
Installation location Indoors
Suggested retail price 4.98 million yen (excluding tax and construction costs)
Shipping date Sequentially commencing at the end of December
Target sales 200 units (FY2014)

Information about NF Corporation

Company name NF Corporation
Established 1959
URL
Head office location Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa prefecture
Representative Tsuneo Takahashi
Capital 910 million yen
Number of employees 206
Business Design, manufacture and marketing of electronic measurement devices