Interesting article concerning a Japanese Vanadium Redox Battteryhttps://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-06/japanese-battery-trial-seeks-to-transform-how-grids-work-energy.html?cmpid=
The Hokkaido project gives Japan and Sumitomo a chance to showcase the vanadium redox flow technology to utilities around the globe that need to integrate renewables into the grid. It relies on almost three decades of research by Sumitomo on rechargeable batteries.
With a capacity of 60 megawatt-hours, the battery will be installed at Hokkaido Electric (9509)’s Minami Hayakita substation in the town of Abira, according to a joint statement from Sumitomo and the utility. One megawatt is enough to power about 333 homes in Japan.
The trade ministry said there is an increasing need for storage in Europe for wind power, and the system on trial in Hokkaido shows promise.
Murakami, the trade ministry official, said, “that is why Sumitomo is betting on a technology it once gave up.”