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Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (collectively, “Sumitomo Corporation Group” or “Sumitomo”) announced to invest in an innovative large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) which aims to provide reliable and stable supply-demand balancing service for the frequency regulation market operated by PJM in the Northeastern U.S. Toshiba Corporation will offer an integrated array of 6MW-2MWh SCiB ™ lithium-ion batteries for the project in this November. The system is schedule to start operation in December.
The frequency regulation project will be carried out in Hamilton, Ohio. Being backed by Renewable Energy Systems Americas (RES Americas), the project reflects the growth of grid-connection from renewable resources, such as solar and wind energy. (related post) With the increase in the percentage of renewable energy with high output fluctuation, it is becoming increasingly important to balance and manage power supply and demand. Frequency regulation is a mechanism for preventing instability in the power grid resulting from the feed-in of the renewable resources, and the U.S. has seen the emergence of a power trading market through this mechanism.
Sumitomo acquired an interest in Willey Battery Utility (WBU) from RES Americas and WBU will own the BESS manufactured by Toshiba. This is WBU’s first investment in a large-scale stand-along battery storage facility in the USA.
Toshiba’s BESS and its function
Toshiba’s SCiB™ is a lithium-ion secondary battery with relatively long-life, better performance, and is resistant to a wide range of temperatures. It is applicable to applications such as the power source for electric and hybrid vehicles. On the basis of this technology, the company’s BESS delivers a rapid and fine-tuned response to frequency changes, and with the SCiB™’s long life, it offers an optimized solution for long-term power regulation. The company is promoting BESS globally as an effective tool for ironing out frequency fluctuations and supporting stable power networks, and has supplied systems for projects in Japan and around the world.
On February 20th, the Nishi-Sendai Substation Battery Energy Storage System Project started commercial operation. It adopted the world’s largest 40MW-20MW BESS manufactured by Toshiba. Overseas, Toshiba has supplied BESS to projects in Italy, Spain, and the UK. In addition, Toshiba has teamed up with Duke Energy in a pilot project starting from this January.
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The BESS Toshiba will supply to WBU will provide the regulated power to the frequency regulation market by following the PJM instructions sent every 2 seconds. Such power has conventionally been supplied by thermal and hydraulic power generation. In the United States, however, it is believed that the introduction of battery storage systems along with other new technologies will provide promising alternatives, as they can respond quickly to supply/demand variations and enable fine-tuned adjustment.
"Sumitomo plans to expand beyond the PJM frequency regulation market with entry into potential marketplaces such as Texas and California,” commentedMr. Naoyuki Hagiwara, Director, Power and Infrastucture Group, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. “This team brings strong expertise to future projects through the integration of technical strength of Toshiba, the manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, the development/construction capabilities of RES with its proven track record in the construction of more than 7,700MW of renewable energy projects (including under construction) in North America, and the knowhow of the Sumitomo Corporation Group with regard to electricity business operation, including renewable energy."