A new project has been launched in Tsukuba City, Japan, with the aim of showcasing a real world integration of Smart Grid, stationary lithium-ion grid storage, rapid recharging, renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.
Known as the Green Crossover Project it will run for three years and be led by the Itochu Corporation, Family Mart, EnerDel, Mazda and 11 other partners. It is expected to serve as an exhibition of advanced direct current rapid recharge systems as well as secondary use model in-vehicle batteries.
As part of the project, three Mazda Demios have been converted to battery electric drive.
Now, Family Mart convenience stores will be equipped with car sharing of the electric vehicles and will include high-speed recharging stations, terminals for remote battery monitoring of charging, and solar power generating systems. It is hoped that the combination of rapid recharging and on-site battery storage will allow for the use of a direct current throughout the system, which will in turn reduce the amount of time needed to charge a vehicle.
In separate news, the Nikkei has also reported that JFE Engineering Corporation has developed a rapid charging system using lithium-ion storage that can recharge an electric vehicle’s pack up to halfway in just three minutes.
