Sodium-ion battery maker Aquion Energy’s technology will be at the heart of a renewable energy system in Japan after the firm signed its biggest deal to date.
The US company hopes the deal will be a springboard for promoting its sodium-ion technology as a genuine substitute for lithium-ion.
Aquion’s Aspen 48M-25.9, 48V,battery will store power generated from a solar array in the “EIWAT Storage I” project.
The battery is based on Aquion’s Cradle to Cradle certified Aqueous Hybrid Ion (AHI™) technology.
The project also includes a hybrid inverter by Schneider Electric’s. The Conext XW+ is a single-phase and three-phase hybrid inverter with grid-tie functionality and dual AC power inputs.
The Pittsburgh-based firm will partner with energy management firm Schneider Electric, Japan’s re-Energy Co. and Eiwat Solar Co. to supply a scalable, modular solar power and storage system in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The system will supply power to Kyushu Electric, one of Japan’s largest electric power companies.
“This exciting project represents our largest deal to date and the first in Japan,” said Scott Pearson, chief executive officer at Aquion Energy.
“As more utilities and renewable energy developers around the world search for a safe and truly renewable alternative to lithium-ion storage solutions, we see a significant opportunity for continued expansion into global markets for our Aspen battery series.”