Nikkei: Japanese Li-ion battery firms boost R&D to counter aggressive S Koreans

The Nikkei reports that Japanese makers of Li-ion batteries are boosting R&D to bolster their position as lower-cost South Korean rivals threaten to steal a slice of their market.

Japanese manufacturers started developing Li-ion batteries for vehicles in the 1990s and have become world leaders. They are hoping to cash in on the explosive growth expected in the market for such batteries. Techno Systems Research Co., a Tokyo-based market research firm, expects that market to be 54 times bigger in 2020 than it was in 2010. By that year, global sales of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to reach 38 billion dollars (3 trillion yen).

...Toshiba, Hitachi and other Japanese makers of Li-ion batteries are striving to develop new, more competitive products because they are feeling the heat from hard-charging South Korean manufacturers. South Korean battery makers are trying to grab bigger chunks of the market by undercutting their Japanese rivals.

...One Japanese manufacturer was recently shocked by the prices offered to automakers by a South Korean supplier, which were one-half to one-third that of similar Japanese products. “A Japanese battery maker would lose money selling at such prices,” said an industry executive.

US and Japan collaborating on smart grid project in Hawaii; EV operation and charging, including grid-balancing services

Hitachi, Ltd., Cyber Defense Institute, Inc., JFE Engineering Corporation, Sharp Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Japan, Ltd., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. have been selected as contractors for a joint US-Japan collaboration supporting a Smart Grid project on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Hitachi will coordinate the entire project, serving as the project leader.

The project is supported by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), in cooperation with the State of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., the University of Hawaii, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, whose involvement is based on the Japan-US Clean Energy Technologies Action Plan, agreed to following the Japan-US heads of state summit held in November 2009.

Hitachi Ltd. and the other five participating companies will conduct a feasibility study expected to be completed by the middle of September 2011. Based on the results of the feasibility study, the project is expected to be implemented by the end of March 2015.

On Maui, 15% of the electricity supply is already generated by renewable energy, and there are plans to increase this percentage going forward. The project goal is to verify the use of advanced technologies in a smart grid under the use of large volumes of renewable energy already in place, to contribute to smart grid standards, and to implement a low-carbon social infrastructure system that efficiently uses renewable energy on a remote island where electricity costs are relatively high.

The six participating companies will build and test a system that applies the latest technologies that will be utilized including: power distribution control; demand side load control; control-ICT platform, electric vehicles (EVs) operation and charging control; multiple type of rapid chargers; and information and telecommunications technologies. Part of the demonstration plan includes utilization of the EVs for grid-balancing services (earlier post). These technologies will be implemented to eliminate factors causing power voltage impacts in the distribution grids and fluctuations in power frequency when large volumes of renewable energy with weather-dependent tendency are added to a power grid.

Specific details of the project and the roles of participating companies are as follows:

1. EV-based Remote Island Smart Grid Model on Maui (Hitachi, Sharp, and JFE Engineering). With the goal of eliminating the impact of output fluctuations from renewable energy on power frequencies, the participating companies will establish an EV Energy Control Center to create a smart grid on an island without alternative energy source from other grids that is based on the a close coming society with EVs large penetration.

   They will facilitate comprehensive energy management for the EVs by linking a Distribution Management System (DMS) to be established in the Kihei district of the island, and an Energy Management System (EMS), which will control the demand-supply balance in the power grid of Maui Electric Company, Ltd. The companies will demonstrate the stimulation and inducement of demand for charging EVs that use car navigation systems, PCs, smartphones, and so forth, as well as charging status monitoring, automatic adjustment of charging starting times, and absorption of surplus efficient renewable energy.

   In addition, various types of rapid chargers will be installed, including flexible power supply type, photovoltaic DC to DC power supply type and DC power supply type with battery power at EV charging stations. They will demonstrate their effectiveness at controlling EV chargers so they do not overload distribution facilities. Moreover, they will conduct simulated evaluating the impact that a large volume of EVs have on distribution networks by installing fixed storage batteries and charging and discharging them.

2. Smart Grid Model at a Substation with One Distribution Grid Level in Kihei (Hitachi). Hitachi will demonstrate power grid operational stability to address issues such as power voltage, surplus electricity and frequency fluctuations from renewable energy using and cooperative-controlling EMS, DMS and micro-DMS that control the balance of supply and demand in a power grid. The goal of this demonstration is to solve various issues, including voltage issues related to reverse power flow that stem from photovoltaic solar power generation linked with distribution system terminals and excess load on low-voltage transformers when multiple EVs are charged at the same time.

3. Smart Grid Project for Low-voltage Transformer Level Systems (Hitachi). Hitachi will demonstrate the control to reduce the possibility of the problems which arise by connecting micro-DMS, smart power conditioners and DMS demand response functions that address issues related to voltage at the low-voltage transformer level. Typically, it is possible that these problems arise due to an increase in photovoltaic solar power generation in homes and disruption of outdoor powerline to houses resulting from excess load that is caused by a large increase in power demand from EV rechargers and electric water heaters.

   The goal of this demonstration is to solve various issues, including voltage issues related to reverse power flow stemming from photovoltaic solar power generation that is linked with terminals on the distribution grids, and excess load on low-voltage transformers when multiple EVs are charged at the same time under EV large penetration.

The participating companies will analyze the results of the project.

1. Analysis and evaluation of results from smart grid demonstration (6 companies). In order to promote the establishment of an optimal smart grid model for islands without alternative energy source from other grids, the participating companies will create a US-Japan Joint Evaluation Committee, which will work together, utilizing best practices developed from the project along with other demonstration projects being conducted by US companies in the Wailea distinct of Maui. The committee will also discuss international standards.

2. Evaluation of cyber security (Hitachi, HP Japan, and Cyber Defense Institute). The three companies concerned will evaluate whether the Project meets cyber security standards in the US.

3. Evaluation of the economic viability of the system (Mizuho Corporate Bank). Mizuho Corporate Bank will use experts to evaluate the economic viability of the system that is created.

4. Creation and verification of a cutting-edge low-carbon social infrastructure system business model on a remote island (Hitachi, Mizuho Corporate Bank). In order to develop businesses in other regions, Hitachi and Mizuho Corporate Bank will create and evaluate a highly feasible and practical business model based on the results of the Project.

Cooperative companies will also support the project:

• The Okinawa Electric Power Company, Incorporated : Advisor for power grid technology on remote island
• Advanced Energy Company: Advisor for EV charger business
• Nissan Motor Co.: Adviser for EV telematics adaptation to the project and EV charging and discharging technology
• Verizon: Advisor on communications solutions and network technology and services

Source: Green Car Congress

Hitachi resumes battery production for Buick LaCrosse, Regal eAssist models

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Three Hitachi Automotive factories, including a plant that makes lithium-ion batteries for General Motors Co., have resumed output after being damaged in Japan's March 11 earthquake.

The three factories are:

•Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd. in Ibaraki Prefecture, the supplier of lithiom-ion batteries for General Motors Co. Hitachi makes the batteries for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, said GM spokesman Kevin Kelly. The batteries will run the eAssist mild hybrid technology.

The eAssist system uses stop-start technology and an electric motor boost to help the car accelerate. GM says the system will provide 25 percent better fuel economy than the 2011 models.

•Hitachi Automotive Systems' Sawa Works in Ibaraki Prefecture, which makes engine control and fuel system components, as well as motors and inverters for hybrid vehicles.

•Hitachi Automotive Systems' Fukushima Works in Fukushima Prefecture, previously known as Tokico, which makes suspension components.

"The assembly lines have started, but it's not to 100 percent," said Hitachi America spokesman Mickey Takeuchi. "They have electricity and water and gas."

Atsushi Konno, a spokesman for Hitachi in Tokyo, said the plants are running at 70 percent capacity this week as quality assurance checks are conducted.

The plants should be at full capacity next week, Konno said. He declined to give any information regarding Hitachi's customers but did say the Fukushima plant mostly provides for the Japanese auto industry, while Sawa supplies automakers around the world.

Source: Automotive News

Hitachi To Increase Li ion Battery Production For 700,000 Units Annually

Hitachi has announced plans for investing up to $310 million for increasing its capacity to produce Li ion battery packs. GM has already contracted with Hitachi for 100,000 battery packs that it will use in its mild hybrid systems. Hitachi expects that other manufacturers will do likewise and thus the increased production numbers.

From the Nikkei:

Capacity will initially be raised more than 600% by next autumn. Hitachi has already received orders for enough lithium ion batteries for 100,000 hybrid autos that General Motors Corp. plans to sell from next year. With an eye toward winning orders from domestic and other overseas carmakers, it will bolster capacity to meet the needs of 700,000 hybrids a year. Each vehicle is generally equipped with 30-50 lithium ion batteries.

Hitachi will mass produce two new types of lithium ion batteries for use in next-generation hybrid vehicles. In addition to significant improvements in output density, they are half the weight and size of conventional nickel-metal hydride offerings. Production will be undertaken at subsidiary Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd.’s Tokai works in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Hitachi Develops High Powered Li Ion Battery for Hybrid Vehicles

The Nikkei reports that Hitachi Ltd. has developed a high-power lithium-ion battery for hybrid-electric vehicles. The battery reportedly has specific power of 4,500 W/kg— a power increase of 70% over its current models, and 50% over a new version Hitachi plans to begin mass-producing next year.

Hitachi aims to begin commercial production of the new battery in the mid-2010s. The battery also boasts a 20% longer life, at 10 years, about the same as the life of a car.

Hitachi, which in 2000 became the first company to mass-produce large lithium-ion batteries for cars, has sold 600,000 units so far. It aims to sell 100 billion yen worth of vehicle-use lithium-ion batteries in fiscal 2015.