Toyota, Hitachi, Panasonic and Japan Wind Development Co. will commence operation of a pilot smart grid project in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
The four companies hope to use the trial project to develop technologies for efficient use of power derived entirely from renewable sources of energy. It begins this month (September) and will run through July 2012.
The research will, in part, demonstrate how the low emissions benefits of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids can be further supported by the use of carbon-free power for recharging.
Toyota and its project partners JWD, Panasonic Electric Works and Hitachi, have constructed an isolated grid that is CO2-free, distributing electricity produced by the world’s first wind power stations and local solar energy (photovoltaic) generation. As the grid is self-contained, its operation can be adjusted and monitored through test scenarios that replicate different levels of supply and demand, or specific regional factors, such as remote locations or local weather patterns.
The grid supplies six “smart houses” equipped with different energy management systems and automatic metering. A “hub” battery has been built to store electricity and adjust supply to meet demand. In addition, Toyota has supplied eight Prius Plug-in Hybrids and vehicle charging points.
A series of experiments will test and assess the effectiveness of various ways of adjusting demand and energy management in line with the local environmental conditions in different target countries and regions around the world, including Japan, Europe and emerging nations. The aim is to develop power system supply technologies that address a range of needs, including reducing CO2, stabilizing power supply and making efficient use of renewable energy.
On the supply side, any surplus electricity generated will be stored in the hub battery and heat storage units. In the event of a power shortage, the battery will provide electricity to maintain the level required.
Different methods will be used to adjust power usage, for example by providing residents with information about how the system works and pricing. The smart houses will also be able to take part in power trading with their neighbors.
Toyota’s role in the project will involve testing the Toyota Smart Center (TSC) system for creating and controlling smart houses, plug-in hybrid vehicle operation control systems and electricity consumption/storage. The TSC controls electricity storage in batteries and EcoCute electric heat pump water heaters, taking into account consumption patterns and electricity supply loads from electricity consumption information. It will also test Toyota Smart Vision (TSV) for communities as a tool for visualizing electricity conditions, HEMS monitors for users, smartphones and on board ‘Display-Audio’ units.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
