Apple Tree and Reene Energy Collaborate on a Major Energy Storage Facility Project in Shizuoka Prefecture

Collaborative Effort for Energy Storage Development

In a noteworthy advancement for renewable energy, Apple Tree Inc. and Reene Energy have joined forces to develop a large-scale energy storage facility in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This ambitious project aims to utilize a battery storage system with a rated output of approximately 2MW and a storage capacity of around 8.2MWh. The collaboration brings together the expertise and resources of both companies in a bid to enhance the efficiency of renewable energy use in the region.

Background and Objectives

As Japan accelerates its adoption of renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, maintaining a balanced supply and demand remains a significant challenge. Instances of having to discard excess generated power are becoming more common across various regions. The Chubu area, blessed with favorable sunlight conditions, has seen significant solar energy deployment, leading to the pressing issue of how to store surplus electricity generated during the day and supply it during peak demand in the evening and night.

The goal of the energy storage facility is to rectify this temporal mismatch. By connecting batteries directly to the power grid, the system will charge during times of excess energy and discharge during periods of shortage. This approach will enhance system stability while minimizing the waste of harvested renewable energy.

Project Overview

Both companies bring distinct strengths to the collaboration. Reene Energy will lead the project as the asset owner and operational manager, taking responsibility for land development, business evaluation, financing, coordination with the power grid, and operation management post-launch. Their extensive experience in developing and managing various power generation systems—including solar, wind, and hydro—will be instrumental in the project.

Apple Tree will manage the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) aspects of the energy storage facility, including the design, procurement of equipment, and overall construction. They will leverage their successful track record in building solar energy systems and a robust construction management system for quality and safety assurance.

Contribution to Renewable Energy Expansion

The energy storage facility's capacity of 8.2MWh will be sufficient to meet the daily electricity consumption of approximately 820 households, based on an average usage of 10 kWh per day per household. It is expected that the facility will charge during the sunny peak hours of the day when solar generation is high and discharge during the evening when demand surges, yielding several beneficial outcomes:

- Reduction of Output Control: Preventing the waste of renewable energy by utilizing electricity that would otherwise be discarded due to surplus generation.
- Alternative to Fossil Fuel Generation: Substituting the functional need for fossil fuel-based power generation during peak demand hours, thus supporting CO2 emission reduction efforts.
- Power System Stabilization: Aiding system stability while increasing the integration of highly variable renewable energy resources.

Through this project, both companies are committed to contributing to a future where renewable energy can firmly establish itself as a reliable power source in society.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Apple Tree and Reene Energy intend to pursue additional collaborative projects focused on energy storage facilities. Their initiative aims to harmonize the establishment of renewable energy as a primary power source with community development, accelerating efforts towards achieving a carbon-neutral society.