Toshiba International Corporation and Duke Energy to Pilot Energy Storage Technologies

Toshiba International Corporation, HOUSTON, TX—March 12, 2014—Toshiba International Corporation (TIC) and Duke Energy, two leading companies in American power transmission and distribution, are teaming up to pilot a battery storage system designed to regulate frequency and increase stability within the power grid.

The project is supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), under its program for "Development of Large Scale Energy Storage System with High Safety and Cost Competitiveness."

"Duke Energy has a stellar record of pursuing new and more efficient power delivery methods," said Kyle Kem, senior vice president at TIC. "Duke Energy is an ideal collaborator for testing Toshiba's evolving energy storage technologies, and we welcome this unique opportunity for collaboration and learning."

The joint research project will utilize a lithium-ion (SCiBTM) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) consisting of a stationary BESS with 2 megawatts (MW) output and 0.8 megawatt-hour (MWh) capacity. It is located at Duke Energy’s W.C. Beckjord Station in New Richmond, Ohio, and is expected to become operational in the third quarter of this year.

The five-year project will highlight Toshiba’s smart grid capabilities by using the SCiB-based BESS to assist in maintaining the grid frequency in PJM, the regional transmission organization powering much of the eastern United States. The battery also is expected to be used for other applications, such as large-scale renewable integration.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Toshiba, a company renowned for innovative technologies, on this project," said Phil Grigsby, vice president of commercial transmission at Duke Energy. "Fast-responding energy storage is being recognized for the tremendous benefits it provides to grid operations due to its rapid and accurate response. This project adds to our installed base of commercially operating storage projects, while allowing us to demonstrate the capabilities of the SCiB technology and the potential for future applications."

More than a year ago, Duke Energy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, completed a 36-MW energy storage and power management system at its Notrees Windpower Project in west Texas. The advanced lead-acid battery technology mitigates the variability of wind power and helps to stabilize the short-term changes in electricity use that might affect the stability of the power system. With the project at Beckjord, the company continues to explore the potential for broader adoption of energy storage solutions throughout the industry.

With global experience in product development, engineering and construction, Toshiba provides a full range of energy services. Toshiba Transmission & Distribution offers a comprehensive array of products such as gas and oil insulated transformers, substations, and circuit breakers. Toshiba's commitment to quality, safety and reliability gives strength in achieving a foothold in the competitive global power equipment market.

Toshiba is a world leader in the supply of integrated solutions for energy transmission, distribution, and smart communities, and is promoting wide spread of the BESS using Toshiba’s advanced SCiB rechargeable batteries. The SCiB has excellent features such as safe, long life for more than 10,000 charge-and-discharge cycles, high effective capacity, and low-temperature operation. Those features are highly suited for the BESS applied to frequency regulation.