April 12, 2012 – Mitsubishi Corp. (MC), Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. (ME) have completed the development and begun the operation of “M-tech Labo”—a smart grid demonstration system that utilizes rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) for electric-demand levelling of factory facilities.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate load shifting by charging at night when demand is low, storing power produced from renewable sources in rechargeable batteries, then supplying said power back to the grid when factory facilities and offices face peak demand.

MC, MMC and ME expect that employing EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries instead of “expensive, dedicated batteries” will lower costs while promoting the environmental benefits of renewable energy and EVs.

Details about the demonstration project for this fiscal year:

1. Reduction of electricity fluctuation at the administration building of MMC’s Nagoya Plant by using electricity from M-tech Labo at a maximum power of 50kW. (Target: 33% reduction of the 180kW fluctuation range.)

2. Validation of EV integration system, which aggregates data and information of available dischargeable capacity and hours of each EV while still allowing the EV to be used as a means of transportation.

The primary roles of each company are: (MC) Study electricity-related business utilizing rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries; (MMC) Research the effect of discharging and charging on EVs, and the necessary information and data from EVs; (ME) Validate a system that can effectively use rechargeable EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries.

The Tokyo Institute of Technology is playing an advisory role for this demonstration project, which is part of the Keihanna Eco-City Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project—one of the four smart grid initiatives authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.