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Tokyo, April 12, 2012
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
 
EV-Smart Grid Demonstration Project
Starting Operation of "M-tech Labo," a smart grid demonstration system
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric) have completed the development and begun the operation of "M-tech Labo,*1" a smart grid demonstration system that utilizes rechargeable batteries in Electric Vehicles ("EVs") for electric-demand leveling of factory facilities. Tokyo Institute of Technology is playing an advisory role for the project. This demonstration project is part of the KEIHANNA Eco-City Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project, one of the four smart grid initiatives authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
 
*1 The system consists of a 20kW photovoltaic system, 5 electrically-dischargeable EVs and 80kWh used rechargeable batteries collected from EVs.
 
Building Charging & Discharging Stand
Used rechargeable batteries
 
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate 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.
 
Details about the demonstration project for this fiscal year follows:
(1) Reduction of electricity fluctuation at the Administration Building of MMC's Nagoya Plant by utilizing electricity from M-tech Labo at a maximum power of 50kW (Target: 33% reduction of the 180kW fluctuation range).
(2) Validation of EIS (Electric vehicle Integration System) which aggregates data and information of available dischargeable capacity and hours of each EV while still allowing the EV to be used as a mean of transportation.
The three companies will collaborate in project implementation and application of knowledge obtained with the goal of contribution towards a more sustainable society. The primary roles of each company are:
  MC: Study of electricity-related business utilizing of rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.
  MMC: Research on the effect of discharging and charging on EVs, and on the necessary information and data from EVs.
  Mitsubishi Electric: Validation of a system that can effectively utilize rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.
 
System Framework
EMS: Energy Management System
EIS: Electric vehicle Integration System
Manages information from EVs for effective utilization of their rechargeable batteries while still allowing them to be used as means of transportation.
Manages M-tech Labo for the peak-cut and -shift
Maximum total power supply: 50kW
20kW photovoltaic system
15kW discharge from EV (3kW x 5 EVs)
15kW discharge from used rechargeable battery (3kW x 5 batteries)
E M S
E I S
 
Image of System Operation

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