August 7, 2020
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Sumitomo Electric awarded for Redox Flow Battery Systems
from Hokkaido Electric Power Network
Sumitomo Electric is recently awarded as a prime contractor in charge of EPC andsupplier of Redox Battery Systems by Hokkaido Electric Power Network, Inc.*1(Head Office: Chuo-ku, Sapporo; President: Hiromi Yabushita; hereinafter, HEPN)
for their grid-scale battery system with a capacity of 51 MWh (17 MW for 3 hours).
Sumitomo Electric started construction work from July 2020. This work plans tobe completed by the end of March 2022.
HEPN is working on expansion of interconnection between the grid and wind
power generation, utilizing grid-scale battery systems, for which HEPN launcheda solicitation process. Sumitomo Electric is confident that completion of thisproject and more opportunities in the future will contribute to the implementationof renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
HEPN commenced the solicitation process for wind power generation utilizing grid-scalebattery systems to interconnect wind power generators, predicated on installation of grid
storage batteries and sharing of the incurred construction costs. 15 wind farm projects
totaling 162MW are approved for grid interconnection under Phase I scheme. Sumitomo
Electric’s Redox Flow Battery Systems are adopted as grid-scale battery systems.
Redox Flow Battery Systems charge and discharge using the redox reaction of metal
ions in the electrolytes. Our battery systems offer long life, high safety, and many otherfeatures, as described below.
(1) Long life
Redox Flow Battery Systems have no limitation in recharging cycles in principle,
allowing stable operation for more than 20 years (design life intended by Sumitomo
Electric). Also, the electrolytes, which do not deteriorate, can be used semipermanently and can also be reused.

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(2) High safety
Redox Flow Battery Systems feature an extremely low possibility of fire and high safety
because they operate at room temperature and are made of non-combustible andflame-retardant materials. Moreover, it allows for accurate monitoring of the state ofcharge, enabling stable operation continuously for an extended period of time without
being affected by charge/discharge patterns.
After confirming stable operation through 3-year demonstration program supported byMETI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), since 2019, Hokkaido Electric Power
Co.,Inc. has started commercial operation of Redox Flow Battery Systems (power rating:15,000 kW; capacity: 60,000 kWh) constructed by Sumitomo Electric.
Hideo Hato, Senior Managing Director of Sumitomo Electric said, “I am truly delighted tobe awarded this exciting program and also to be able to contribute to HEPN's business.
SUMITOMO Redox Flow Battery Systems have been operated stably and safely with theaim of ensuring grid stabilization. With the long life and high safety, these systems will
help boost the use of clean renewable energy sources. As a pioneer of the developmentof Redox Flow Battery Systems, I will continuously work on performance improvement
and cost reduction for even more wide spread use of Redox Flow Battery Systems inJapan and overseas.”
Overview
Capacity

Power: 17,000 kW; Capacity: 51,000 kWh

ScopeInstallation, maintenance, and removal of storage battery equipment

Location

Minami-Hayakita Substation (Abira Town), Hokkaido Electric Power
Network

Completion

March 31, 2022

DateOperation

April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2043

periodProductRedox Flow Battery Systemshipped2/3

Conceptual drawing*1. The power transmission and distribution department of Hokkaido Electric Power
Company became a spin-off company, incorporated in April 2020.
■ Reference
Demonstration test of a large-scale energy storage system started at Minami-Hayakita
Substation (Japanese)
https://sei.co.jp/company/press/2015/12/prs098.html
Sumitomo Electric's Website：https://sumitomoelectric.com/

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