Japanese Sony Corporation and Canadian electricity supplier Hydro-Québec have established Esstalion Technologies, a venture to research and develop large-scale energy storage systems for power grids.
The joint venture will use Sony’s control technology for olivine-type lithium-ion iron phosphate rechargeable batteries and scalable module systems together with Hydro-Québec’s operation and control technologies for electric power supplies and lithium-ion material technology.
Esstalion Technologies is aimed to research safe and reliable systems for large-scale applications and improve battery material technology for electric power systems. The company is also intended to find a solution for meeting excess demands during peak times, stabilise fluctuations of wind and solar power and integrating the renewable energy into power grids.
Tomoyuki Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Sony Energy Devices Corporation commented on teaming up with Hydro-Québec: “The key for the successful growth of Sony’s battery business in the future will be the market for large-scale energy storage systems for power grids and, by using Hydro-Quebec’s wealth of knowledge and technological expertise as well as focusing on research development”
“This partnership between a world-renowned company like Sony and Hydro-Québec illustrates Québec’s leadership in the development of high-quality battery materials”, said Pierre Arcand, Québec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister for the Northern Plan. Hydro-Québec is Canada’s largest electricity producer.
