Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) and Nichicon Corporation (TOKYO:6996) announced that the two companies have completed an agreement for Kyocera to begin domestic sales this summer of a new energy management system (EMS) which combines Kyocera’s highly reliable solar power generating systems with Nichicon’s long-lasting, high-capacity lithium-ion battery storage units. Designed for the Japan market, the new system responds to the growing demand for residential energy storage equipment following the March 11 disasters. Kyocera will begin sales in Japan this summer.
Optimizing Energy Use with Kyocera’s Energy Management System (EMS)
Through its long-term R&D strategy and proprietary technology in solar and energy-related fields, Kyocera has developed an EMS which makes effective use of energy.
Using and regulating a solar power generating system with battery storage requires a power inverter and sophisticated energy-management technology. The EMS developed by Kyocera is thus effective in optimizing residential energy use from those systems and utility power from the electricity grid.
"This new system combines the two vital themes of power generation and power storage using Kyocera’s solar power generating system and Nichicon’s energy storage unit," explained Kyocera President Tetsuo Kuba at a joint press conference with Nichicon held in Kyoto, January 16., "Kyocera will use its energy-management technology to launch this new comprehensive system for optimizing residential energy use, and thus make a real contribution to preventing climate change."
"We’d like to see use of this system — that combines Kyocera’s top-class solar power generating systems, Nichicon’s energy storage units which hold top domestic share for EV charging systems, and Samsung SDI’s lithium-ion batteries which hold the largest global share — sweep the Japanese market," said Nichicon Chairman & CEO Ippei Takeda.
Features of the New System
Combining the world class technology of Kyocera, Nichicon and Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. (manufacturer of the lithium-ion battery) into the new system, Kyocera’s EMS — which was developed through Kyocera’s original R&D — will be able to more efficiently control energy consumption:
1. Long-lasting, high-volume lithium-ion battery
The system uses a lithium-ion battery, which can last roughly 5 times*1 longer than conventional lead-acid batteries. The battery has a high capacity of 7.1kWh, weighs roughly 200kg and has a size of 120H x 90W x 35D (centimeters)*2.
2. Various EMS modes to fit energy use patterns and needs
The new system offers various operating modes to meet the energy use patterns and needs of various customers — whether their peak energy consumption occurs in the daytime or at night; and for families who want to prioritize reducing their energy bill or those who place a premium on guaranteed electricity supply.
3. System automatically switches to independent operation in the event of a natural disaster or electricity black-out
In the event of a prolonged black-out, the battery can be charged directly by the solar modules during the day, allowing users to draw from the battery at night or during inclement weather.
*1 Based on calculations by Kyocera.
*2 Provisional specifications at time of announcement.
NICHICON CORPORATION (TOKYO:6996), was founded in 1950 for the production and sales of various kinds of capacitors’circuit / module products, related devices and equipment. NICHICON has become a leading supplier of capacitors and charger integrated DC-DC converters for electric vehicles. During the year ended March 31, 2011, the company’s net sales totaled 105,914 million yen.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2011, the company’s net sales totaled 1.27 trillion yen (approx. USD15.3 billion). The company is ranked #604 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 "Global 2000" listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.
