July 4, 2016 – Nissan and Eaton have joined forces to unveil a residential energy storage, the xStorage solution, which the companies say will give consumers the power to control how and when they use energy in their own homes.

Connected to residential power supply or renewable energy sources such as solar panels, the unit can save customers money on their utility bills by charging up when renewable energy is available or energy is cheaper (e.g. during the night) and releasing that stored energy when demand and costs are high.

The xStorage unit will also have smartphone connectivity to allow consumers to flick between energy sources.

The unit is powered by twelve Nissan EV battery modules, Nissan notes, providing a ‘second life’ for electric vehicle batteries after their first life in cars is over.

It will be available to pre-order in September 2016.