Did you know that batteries made to power up electrical devices can be as big as thousands of square meters? These large-scale batteries are also called Power Grids or Grid storages. Grid storages are gigantic structures created to store energy when there is less demand for electricity. This way, the locals can acquire enough electricity when their consumption increases. Grid storage systems smooth out production patterns and do not require to be scaled to a maximum or a minimum level.
One of the world’s popular grid storage batteries is the newly built system in Japan. The Sendai Substation Lithium Ion Battery is the first of its kind, currently bearing the record of the world’s biggest Lithium Ion Battery. The grid-scale electricity provider is built in northeastern Japan and is developed by Toshiba, after being commissioned by the Tohoku Electric Power Company. This project will be using SCiB (Super Charge Ion Battery) lithium-ion (li-ion) battery cells, which are known for withstanding 10,000 charge-discharge cycles and quick charging abilities (reaching 80% in 6 minutes).
Toshiba’s specialized SCiB cells are among its new innovations, honing the characteristics of li-ion battery cells. Li-ion battery cells are composed of positively charged lithium ions which migrates through a liquid conductor. Electrons flow through an external circuit, and their movement creates energy. Energy is stored in different compounds, layers and elements such as cobalt, lithium and manganese.
The construction of Sendai’s power storage system started in 2013 and is scheduled to be finished in early 2015. This system will be used to regulate frequency changes in local electricity and smooth the impact of grid-connected energy resources. Toshiba aims to focus on manipulating renewable energy resources to enhance its Sendai-based power grid.
Acquiring energy from renewable resources has many advantages. Some of them are:
- Contributes to the reduction of global warming
- Reduces energy import dependency
- Creates new jobs
Sendai’s energy storage system boasts of a maximum output of 40 megawatts with 20 megawatt-hours. That is, the Sendai battery facility will be able to produce 40 megawatts for half an hour. One megawatt can provide power for more or less 800 homes, which means that Toshiba’s Sendai Substation can produce electricity for about 32,000 residents.
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Image Source: Forbes
