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【Super-Sized Infographic】What's One Key Solution to Climate Change? Utility-Scale Energy Storage Spreading Worldwide

2025.1.17

Business

【Super-Sized Infographic】What's One Key Solution to Climate Change? Utility-Scale Energy Storage Spreading Worldwide

Index

Part 1 Energy Storage Systems: Why Are They Gaining Attention Now?
Part 2 Unlocking the Potential of Renewable Energy
Part 3 Growth of Energy Storage Projects
Part 4 Sumitomo Corporation's Initiatives

Super-Sized Infographic: What's One Key Solution to Climate Change? Utility-Scale Energy Storage Spreading Worldwide

Energy Storage Illustration

Utility-scale energy storage systems are being deployed in many countries around the world. These systems may play a pivotal role in accelerating the integration of renewable energy and combating global warming.

Part 1 Energy Storage Systems: Why Are They Gaining Attention Now?

Energy storage is crucial in today’s society. Aside from traditional dry cell and lithium-ion batteries, we rely on batteries for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Illustration

Recently, larger energy storage systems have come into focus. These systems are like electricity savings accounts that store excess power from solar and wind plants that is not consumed immediately by factories, offices and so on.

Power System Illustration

Why is Huge Energy Storage Needed?

Electricity is difficult to store compared to water or gas. Current power generation and transmission systems must constantly balance supply with demand. Balancing supply and demand (The amount of energy consumption / Demand, The volume of energy generation / Supply Supply-demand balance)

When the supply-demand balance is disrupted...

Demand < Supply (Less consumption / More generation) Demand > Supply (More consumption / Less generation)

There could be a major power outage...

Through energy storage, supply-demand balance can be maintained, reducing the risk of large-scale blackouts.

Part 2 Unlocking the Potential of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are on the rise.

However, As utility companies manage the balance between the amount of electricity needed, generated and consumed in each region, renewable energy generation may be halted if it exceeds demand.

Solar power: I can generate a lot of power! / Power generation curtailed for balancing

Without energy storage: [Image of power supply and demand] Solar power generation curtailed (discarded) because it exceeds demand

Unstable power generation, Surplus power is curtailed, No increase in renewable energy introduction

The growing adoption of renewable energy is being hindered by constraints on generation. Solar and wind power generation fluctuates based on time of day and weather, making it difficult to manage. But curtailed electricity is wasteful.

With energy storage… With storage systems installed [Image of power supply and demand]

Ensures stable use of generated energy, Excess energy can be stored for later, Accelerates growth of renewable sources

Widely adopted renewable energy could help slow the pace of global warming, ameliorating extreme heat, torrential rains, flooding and other disasters.

Utility-scale energy storage is emerging as a key solution for expanding renewable energy and tackling climate change.

Part 3 Growth of Energy Storage Projects

Utility-scale energy storage systems are spreading rapidly in Japan. [Projected growth in grid storage systems] Source: GX Implementation Council (reference translation)

As of 2023, if 10% of companies considering large-scale energy storage systems adopt them, total capacity is expected to reach around 14 GWh by 2030. If 20% adopt, the capacity could grow to nearly double.

This potential is due to advancements in energy storage technology, along with a post-2011 review of energy policies and systems to better utilize excess solar and wind power.

Global adoption is advancing even faster.

[Global Installed Capacity of Energy Storage Systems] Source: Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Source: Excerpted from

A leading example is South Australia.

South Australia aimed for 100% renewable energy in 2007, but a statewide blackout occurred in 2016. By 2023, with megawatt-scale energy storage, the state achieved 100% renewable energy on 180 days of the year.

China has installed the most energy storage systems globally. Large-scale installations are also progressing elsewhere, including Europe (led by the UK), the U.S. and South Korea.

[Major Countries with Developments in Large-Scale Energy Storage] U.S., Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Chile, China, South Korea, Australia

As energy storage systems become more widespread, it is likely that our quality of life will improve.

Environmentally friendly: Efficient use of generated electricity benefits the environment.

Lower electricity bills: By balancing supply and demand, electricity bills can potentially be reduced. Power supply during emergencies: Electricity will remain available when there would otherwise have been power outages.

Part 4 Sumitomo Corporation's Initiatives

Sumitomo Corporation is pioneering a new era of energy infrastructure through large-scale energy storage systems.

In 2023, Sumitomo Corporation installed a battery system in Chitose, Hokkaido, capable of storing enough power for 2,500 households for one day, marking the start of a full-scale business initiative.

EV Battery Station CHITOSE

A new battery station has been established, connecting hundreds of used EV batteries. Hokkaido was chosen for its strong wind and solar energy potential.

By linking the storage system to Hokkaido Electric Power’s grid, a major step has been taken toward providing stable renewable energy to homes.

The quick commercialization of this project is the result of years of steady business model development.

2014 Yumeshima, Osaka: Large-scale EV battery storage system testing begins in Yumeshima, Osaka. This is the world's first initiative to reuse batteries recovered as a stationary energy storage system from electric vehicles.

2015 Koshiki Islands, Kagoshima:

A large storage system connects distribution grids in the Koshiki Islands, Satsumasendai City. Japan’s first joint pilot of its kind was conducted with Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Co.

2022 Namie, Fukushima:

An EV battery station has started operation in Namie, Fukushima. This system directly balances renewable energy from solar power with industrial demand, efficiently controlling charging and discharging.

EV battery station

Scalable: High output / large capacity, Swappable: Replaceable batteries, Speedy and safe: Short, safe construction period

Starting with the project in Hokkaido, Sumitomo Corporation aims to expand nationwide,

targeting a total of 100 MW by 2026 and over 500 MW by 2030.

By increasing large-scale energy storage, Sumitomo Corporation is expanding its network to stably supply renewable energy,

contributing to a more sustainable society and accelerating the decarbonization process.

Energy Storage Illustration