Rome, London and Tokyo, October 18, 2012 – Enel Distribuzione (Enel), Italy's largest distribution system operator, has awarded NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) a contract for the supply of one of the largest storage systems based on lithium-ion-manganese technology in Europe.
NEC’s 2MVA/2MWh Energy Storage Systems (ESS) will improve service quality and continuity for alternative energy generation by compensating for power fluctuations due to wind gusts or moving clouds. It mitigates intermittency (the extent to which a power source is unavailable) in renewable energy generation.
Distribution system operator Enel will install NEC’s ESS in the Chiaravalle power substation site in the Calabria Region and investigate the possibility of a new energy distribution service. With the ESS, Enel will conduct a pilot project to optimise the flow of renewable energy to the Italian transmission grid (power grid) while reducing the imbalance between forecast power and actual production and minimising the energy loss due to grid congestion. The storage system will enable ENEL to smoothly control the exchange of energy via the power grid.
“Supplying Enel with our high quality ESS is an important achievement and confirms NEC’s leadership in the cutting-edge energy storage market,” said Ugo Govigli, vice president of Smart Grid Solutions at NEC Europe. “Supplying an industry leader like Enel with the largest ESS in EU confirms that Italy is the key country for NEC’s energy business expansion in the EMEA market.”
"Providing Enel with our ESS is a big step for our business expansion in the European market,” says Takemitsu Kunio, Senior Vice President at NEC Corporation. “NEC’s large-capacity battery system business is aimed at supporting electrical power systems and electrical distribution networks of utilities in Europe.”
###
Notes to editors
According the IEA Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 report, energy storage is among the crucial technologies for implementing flexible electricity systems and developing efficient and cost effective energy markets. In 2011, Europe accounted for the predominant share of the global photovoltaic (PV) market, with 75% of all new capacity produced in Europe. Italy was the top market with 9.3 GW capacity.
In 2011, NEC established an Energy Competence Center in Italy. That same year, NEC signed an agreement with the country's Economic Development Ministry to examine the possibilities of basing its production of energy storage systems in Italy and developing advanced components for intelligent energy networks.
In April 2011, NEC and Enel joined forces to develop a wide range of solutions for Smart Grids and Smart Cities. Under the strategic partnership, the two companies started joint feasibility studies as well as deployed advanced, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for smart grids, focusing on energy storage in particular.
Since the early 1990s, NEC has been developing and manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for mobile phones and electric assist bicycles. From 2010, NEC's electric vehicle business moved into full swing thanks to Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), the joint-venture company between Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., and NEC TOKIN Corporation. NEC is one of a few vendors in the world that have both energy storage technology and ICT. This enables the combination and efficient operation of energy management systems, from power grids and large scale commercial facilities to individual homes.
________________________________________
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com .
NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2012 NEC Corporation.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Takehiko Kato
NEC Corporation
+81-3-3798-6511
t-kato@cj.jp.nec.com
Shinya Hashizume
NEC Europe Ltd.
+44 (0)20 8752 2796
Shinya.Hashizume@emea.nec.com
Masako Hirano
NEC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
+65 6379 2570
m-hirano@nec.com.sg
Eliza Lim
NEC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
+65 6379 2571
eliza_lim@nec.com.sg