Greentech Lead Asia: Mitsubishi Corporation (MC),
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
(Mitsubishi Electric) have started the operation of M-tech Labo, a smart grid
demonstration system.
The new system utilizes rechargeable batteries in
Electric Vehicles (EVs) for electric-demand leveling of factory facilities.
A part of the KEIHANNA Eco-City Next-Generation Energy
and Social Systems Demonstration Project, this smart grid initiative is
authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The project is aimed at demonstrating load shifting by
charging at night when demand is low, storing power produced from renewable
sources in rechargeable batteries, and supplying such power back to the grid
when factory facilities and offices face peak demand.
MC, MMC and Mitsubishi Electric also expect that
utilizing EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries, instead of expensive,
dedicated batteries, will lower costs while promoting the
environmental-benefits of renewable energy and EVs.
The three companies will collaborate in project
implementation and application of knowledge obtained with the goal of
contribution towards a more sustainable society.
The project will aim at reducing electricity fluctuation
at the Administration Building of MMC’s Nagoya Plant by utilizing electricity
from M-tech Labo at a maximum power of 50kW.
The other target is the validation of Electric vehicle
Integration System which aggregates data and information of available
dischargeable capacity and hours of each EV while allowing the EV to be used as
a mean of transportation.