NEC Corp., a leading Japanese electronics company, has commercialized a power storage system using a lithium-ion battery to control household power use automatically. The company started to sell the system to companies such as home builders on July 18, 2011. With this introduction, NEC intends to respond to growing household awareness of energy saving and the need for security of electricity supply at the time of disasters or blackouts.

The ESS-H-002006A system comprises a lithium-ion battery with an input/output capacity of two kilowatts and a storage capacity of six-kilowatt hours, and a controller. It measures 76 centimeters in width, 45 centimeters in depth, and 88 centimeters in height, and weighs about 200 kilograms.

When connected to a household power panel, the system links to the power system of a utility company, electric devices at home, a photovoltaic generation system, and others so that automatic power control may operate interactively. Thereby, users can store photovoltaic (PV) generated power or low-cost late-night electricity for use in daytime, which will result in reduced consumption of power from the ordinary power grid at peak times and lowered utility costs.

In addition, a radio communication function of the system makes it possible to remotely assess the system's operation and utilization status. That enables companies such as housing manufacturers to offer to customers new services like visualization of power usage or consultation on reduction of utility costs.

Posted: 2011/10/19 06:00:15 AM

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Manufacturing industry , NGO/Citizen