Sumitomo Electric Advances with Innovative Flow Battery Project in Japan, Driving Towards a Carbon-Neutral City
- EnergyChannel - United States.
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
Japan's energy transition has reached a new milestone with the completion of a pioneering project in Minamikyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture. Sumitomo Electric Industries has successfully installed its first vanadium redox flow battery in a community microgrid—a strategic technology for storing and optimizing large-scale solar energy use.
The system was implemented at the newly inaugurated Kurokiyama Solar Power Plant, part of the local government's ambitious plan to transform Minamikyushu into a "carbon-zero city." The plant's inauguration ceremony took place on April 22, 2025, following construction by Mitaden Co., Ltd.
The battery, with an installed capacity of 1,125 kWh and a power output of 250 kW over 4.5 hours, operates as the heart of the solar plant's energy storage system. It stores excess energy generated during the day and releases it at night to meet community demand, optimizing the use of renewable generation.
Beyond energy efficiency, the project also enhances local resilience. In emergencies, the system can operate autonomously, ensuring prioritized electricity supply to shelters and critical infrastructure in the region.Sumitomo Electric+4sumitomocorp.com+4JEPIC-USA+4
Among the key differentiators of the chosen solution, Sumitomo's redox flow battery stood out for its durability, fire safety, and stable performance over time—features that make it ideal for long-term community applications. Another advantage is the low toxicity of the materials used, which do not present environmental hazards.
This is also the company's first project eligible for a regional decarbonization promotion subsidy under the jurisdiction of Japan's Ministry of the Environment.
With this initiative, Sumitomo Electric consolidates its position as a reference in long-duration energy storage solutions, demonstrating the strategic role that flow batteries can play in building cleaner, smarter, and more resilient power grids.
Sumitomo Electric Advances with Innovative Flow Battery Project in Japan, Driving Towards a Carbon-Neutral City
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