Japan s new energy grid-connected energy storage

What is energy storage in Japan?

Energy storage in Japan consists of thermal storage, hydro, pumped hydro, and Battery Energy Storage Systems. As Japan works to increase renewable penetration to meet its Net Zero targets, grid balancing becomes more critical to ensure grid stability and replace the inertia typically generated by thermal generators.

Should battery energy storage systems be integrated into the grid?

For many renewables developers and major power users, integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into the grid is becoming essential to accelerate clean energy projects and make them viable. However, securing a grid connection has led to bottlenecks, with the green project pipeline increasingly congested due to limited transmission capacity.

How can Japan encourage investment in energy storage?

Japan’s development of revenue streams through its wholesale, capacity, and balancing markets, coupled with CAPEX subsidy schemes for grid-scale battery projects, provides a framework to encourage investment in energy storage.

Does Tokyo Gas have a battery energy storage system?

Tokyo Gas is also participating in the Japanese utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) market, signing a 20-year tolling offtake deal with Australian developer Eku Energy for a forthcoming 30MW/120MWh project.

What are the requirements for battery energy storage in Japan?

There are a series of requirements to be eligible: projects must have a minimum capacity of 1 MW, the battery must be able to participate in various markets, and the battery must be directly connected to the grid. Energy storage in Japan consists of thermal storage, hydro, pumped hydro, and Battery Energy Storage Systems.

Why are battery storage systems being installed in Japan?

Several megawatt-hours of residential battery storage systems, typically paired with solar PV, are being installed in Japan on a monthly basis. This is largely due to concerns about losing power at home, given the seismic activity the country is frequently subject to, as well as extreme weather events like typhoons.