Which redox flow battery is subsidized by Japan's government?

Japan’s Sumitomo Electric is building the first redox flow battery to be approved for government subsidy in the country. The 2 MW/8 MWh facility, which is under construction on the island of Kyushu, will be subsidized under Japan’s FY2024 Renewable Energy Expansion and Grid-Scale Energy Storage System Support Program.

Does Sumitomo Electric have a redox flow battery?

Sumitomo Electric has operated a 2 MW/8 MWh pilot vanadium flow battery in San Diego since December 2018 and is constructing a similarly sized facility on the island of Kyushu. Japan’s Sumitomo Electric is building the first redox flow battery to be approved for government subsidy in the country.

Why are Japanese companies investing in battery energy storage systems?

Sign up here. That is creating surging interest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) to smooth mismatches in supply and demand. Since December 2023, companies have announced investments of at least $2.6 billion in Japanese battery storage projects, according to calculations by Reuters.

How big is Japan's battery storage capacity?

Rystad forecasts Japan's battery storage capacity could reach about 4 GW based on projects under construction, planned and awarded, which would require $6 billion in investment.

Why are Japan and Kyushu so attractive for battery projects?

"Tohoku and Kyushu regions have a lot of renewables, which makes these regions very attractive for battery projects, and that's why there is a lot of contracted and considered projects there already," said Uranulzii Batbayar, a Tokyo-based analyst with Rystad Energy.

What if a battery system needs 6 hours of power flow?

Requiring six hours of power flow would mean battery operators planning systems with only three hours of discharge could need more land for units and new connection permits if they are relocated, said Kentaro Ono, Managing Director for Japan at Eku Energy, a battery storage developer building a site in Kyushu for start up next year.