Nichigas will start selling storage batteries in 2024
Nippon Gas (Nichigas) has entered into a capital and business alliance with PowerX (Tokyo, Minato), a startup that develops an "electric carrier" that carries electricity produced at offshore wind farms. Nichigas will invest 500 million yen. The investment ratio has not been disclosed. Grow new businesses by gaining knowledge of power storage technology from PowerX.
PowerX plans to build a battery plant by 2024 and start production and shipping by the end of the same year. Nichigas sells batteries to customers who have solar panels on their roofs and who have electric vehicles (EVs). Storage batteries used for quick EV charging will be sold to commercial facilities and will be installed at approximately 100 Nichigas sales offices.
In the future, Nichigas plans to build a "microgrid" that will be self-sustaining from the major power supply network and locally produce and consume power in the event of a disaster. In addition to electric power derived from renewable energy, it also incorporates a power X storage battery, aiming for both stable supply and decarbonization. Establish a supply network in the event of a natural disaster such as heavy rain or an earthquake.
PowerX is a start-up company established in 2009. The idea is to build a ship equipped with storage batteries and transport the electricity generated by offshore wind power generation by sea. So far, we have also partnered with major shipbuilding companies such as Imabari Shipbuilding.
