NTT Anode Energy and Kanazawa Institute of Technology implement a direct current consortium

NTT Anode Energy (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) and Kanazawa Institute of Technology (Ohgigaoka, Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture) announced earlier this year that it will conduct a direct current joint project at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology Ohgigaoka Campus with the aim of realizing a DC smart grid that promotes the introduction of renewable energy and strengthen electric power resilience by utilizing each other's technologies and equipment. In light of the global movement toward creating a decarbonized society and the declaration of the Japanese government to achieve a decarbonized society, the need for further introduction of renewable energy and the electrification of mobility, such as electric vehicles (EVs), is rapidly advancing. However, along with this, problems such as an increase in costs for strengthening the existing AC power system and voltage compensation, and a decrease in the utilization rate of renewable energy power generation equipment due to suppression of power generation when the system is congested are becoming apparent.

Therefore, to solve these problems, both NTT Anode Energy and Kanazawa Institute of Technology decided to jointly build a DC power interchange facility at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology Ohgigaoka Campus and implement a direct current consortium to maximize the introduction of renewable energy, strengthen power resilience, and reduce the burden on existing AC power grids. This joint project will be implemented in response to the Ministry of the Environment's "FY2021 Subsidy for CO₂ Emission Control Measures (Local renewable energy mainstay and resilience strengthening promotion business through reduction of renewable-energy prices such as utilization of PPA) CO₂ reduction during normal times and a direct current inter-building interchange support project that balances evacuation facilities in the event of a disaster." In this project, NTT Anode Energy will install solar power generation equipment and storage batteries in Ohgigaoka Campus, and utilize the power interchange of DC 1500 V and DC 380 V constructed in the north and south school areas, respectively. NTT Anode Energy will supply the electricity generated by solar power generation to DC LED lighting, DC servers, and other equipment as DC, and make efficient use of renewable energy without producing a surplus.

Through this, the company aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 175 tons per year (43% compared to before the introduction of equipment) for the entire business. Moreover, in the event of a system power outage such as a disaster, the solar power generation and storage batteries, bidirectional DC EV quick charger, and EV will independently and efficiently supply the power required for the gymnasium in the South Campus, which is a designated evacuation center in Nonoichi City, and will considerably increase the time for power backup. The total power generation capacity of the solar power generation equipment installed on the roofs of Buildings 5 and 20 (gymnasium) is 160 kW, and the annual power generation amount is ~ 177,000 kWh, which is equivalent to ~42 households. Completion of these facilities is scheduled for late January 2023.