The project will be tested in Tsukuba City, Japan and comprises an on-site battery storage with rapid re-charging. For testing purposes, a set of Mazda vehicles converted to accommodate a 24-kilowatt-hour fixed storage EnerDel battery pack, originally designed for the Think City electric vehicle, has been deployed in the region.
"The integration of rapid charging, smart grid and electric vehicles is a crucial step in the transition to clean, efficient, low-carbon energy and transportation systems, and something that countries all over the world are moving toward," Charles Gassenheimer, EnerDel parent company Ener1's CEO said in a statement.
"This project also demonstrates how critical a secondary-use strategy is in unlocking economic value that becomes a key driver for the EV battery industry."
The cars used in the project are the 5-door Mazda Demio (Mazda2 outside of Japan), based at a Family Mart convenience store for car-sharing purposes. Users can use a non-contract IC-imbedded smart card to take the car, while terminals for remote battery monitoring of charging, discharging, wear data, as well a stationary battery array, are available to demonstrate grid integration.
"EnerDel's top quality battery systems provide a robust platform for rapid-recharge," Murase Hiroaki, deputy manager battery business unit of ITOCHU Corporation added. "Partnering with industry leaders like EnerDel, Family Mart and Mazda is an important step forward in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy."
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