Monthly Report

Sumitomo and partners to use EVs to provide upward DR capacity in balancing market in Japan’s first

July 29, 2024
EV Charging
Sumitomo Corporation will only use the EVs for upward DR.

Sumitomo Corporation will participate in Japan’s balancing market using electric vehicles (EVs), marking a first in Japan. The company announced the initiative, which is part of its partnership with Kumamoto City, JR Kyushu, and Sumitomo Kyushu, on July 19, 2024.

Initially, Sumitomo Corporation will use 10 EVs of eight different models leased by its group companies Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service (seven EVs) and Hakobune (three EVs) to Kumamoto-based Shirasagi Electric Industry’s group companies. Goal connect, a Tokyo-based aggregation coordinator, will develop the systems needed to operate the scheme.

According to Sumitomo’s statement, the vehicles will only be used for upward demand response, i.e. the vehicles will be charged when receiving commands to do so.

In the future, the company will consider adding more vehicles to the scheme.

No specific launch or expansion timeline was provided.

If you found the above helpful, join our free weekly newsletter to get a summary of the latest news from the Japanese power market straight in your inbox.

…or create a FREE Japan Energy Hub account to not only receive the newsletter but also access to selected parts of our data modules.

In other news...

Monthly Report - The Japanese Power Industry Executive

Submit the form below to receive a sample issue of The Japan Power Industry Executive.