SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Japan commissions first 4MWh grid battery in Shiga Prefecture

A battery storage project developed in Shiga Prefecture marks a new step for the Japanese industry, with the official commissioning of a 4MWh facility aimed at the primary balancing market.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The Japan Energy Storage Development Institute has announced the commissioning of its first large-scale electricity storage facility, a 4MWh unit located in Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture. The asset was officially completed on November 4 after approximately three months of construction led by Kamisato Kensetsu, the company stated on November 18.

Comprising two containerised Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) units supplied by Huawei, the site will primarily serve the primary balancing market. Although the power capacity was not disclosed, similar projects generally show an installed power between 1.5MW and 2MW.

A project led by a dedicated entity

The project is owned by a dedicated special purpose company, Shiga-ken Aisho-cho Battery JSD24001 LLC, which holds all the assets. RUTILEA, in charge of aggregation, plans to integrate the battery into the national grid through operations in the balancing market. This approach aims to meet Japan’s increasing demand for grid flexibility.

The strategy also aims to test rapid integration of storage solutions in short timeframes, as the construction lasted only three months, which remains uncommon for a project of this scale in Japan. This fast deployment could serve as a model for future developments in the sector.

Momentum driven by new market entrants

The Tokyo-based Japan Energy Storage Development Institute was founded in October 2024. Its market entry follows other specialised developers such as Nippon Chikudenchi and JPN Energy Integrated System, seeking to meet growing demand for battery storage solutions across the country.

Japan’s storage market is benefiting from evolving regulation and progressive liberalisation of grid services, paving the way for new business models centred on energy flexibility. The use of technology from international suppliers such as Huawei also reflects the market’s increasing openness to foreign industrial partnerships.

The commissioning of this first unit marks an operational milestone in structuring this new Japanese player. RUTILEA now plans to expand its portfolio of aggregatable assets, as participation in the balancing market becomes a lever for operator profitability.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Sinopec to invest $437 million in hydrotreatment unit in Algeria
ACEnergy secures approval for 500 MW battery project in Bouldercombe
Nordex signs 21 MW deal with BMR for German wind farm
Berlin approves strategic minority stake in TenneT Germany
Arevon launches $200mn solar plant construction in Illinois
Fullmark Energy transfers $46mn tax credit for California storage portfolio
Operator Fullmark Energy has finalised a $46mn investment tax credit transfer linked to its 125MW Redwood storage portfolio in Southern California, strengthening its ability to pursue further growth in the sector.
Eos Energy raises $76.9mn through exercised public warrants ahead of expiry
Eos Energy confirmed the expiry of its public warrants following the exercise of 6.7 million units, generating $76.9mn to finance its industrial projects in the United States.
Trina Storage signs agreement with Pacific Green for 5GWh of energy storage
Trina Storage and Pacific Green Energy Group have signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 5GWh of battery systems by 2028, reinforcing their activities in the Australian and international energy storage market.
HyperStrong secures 200 GWh of CATL batteries in ten-year strategic agreement
HyperStrong commits to purchase at least 200 GWh of battery cells from CATL by 2028, as part of a strategic partnership aimed at structuring a global energy storage ecosystem.
Europe urged to invest massively in long-duration energy storage to save €103bn
A report urges European states to rapidly deploy long-duration energy storage technologies, deemed essential to avoid building obsolete gas assets and reduce grid costs by 2040.
LibertyStream signs strategic agreement with Packet Digital for US lithium carbonate
LibertyStream has signed a memorandum of understanding with Packet Digital to secure a local supply of lithium carbonate for industrial and military battery production, backed by approximately $2.7mn in funding.
Rondo Energy commissions industrial heat battery in Thailand
US-based Rondo Energy and SCG Cleanergy have completed the installation of a 33 MWh heat battery at a cement plant in Thailand, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, delivering steam to power a turbine for industrial electricity generation.
Entech and Primeo Energie launch joint venture for 100 MW of battery storage by 2029
Entech and Primeo Energie create Primtech Batteries to develop battery electricity storage projects in France and the European Union, targeting 100 MW installed by 2029.
NineDot Energy and Solar One launch education programme on energy storage in New York
Three New York public high schools are introducing a new energy storage module this year, through a partnership between NineDot Energy and Solar One aimed at preparing students for careers in distributed energy.
Nuvve invests $10mn in three energy storage projects in Denmark
Nuvve Holding Corp. plans three 2MW battery installations in Eastern Zealand to strengthen the Danish grid and optimise revenues through its proprietary software platform.
HS Hyosung invests €120 mn with Umicore to develop silicon anodes
HS Hyosung partners with Umicore to produce silicon anodes, a key material for next-generation batteries, through a €120 mn investment to strengthen its position in energy storage.
LG Energy Solution enters aerospace sector with South 8 Technologies
LG Energy Solution partners with South 8 Technologies to develop lithium-ion batteries capable of operating at -60 °C, strengthening its position in the space sector alongside KULR Technology Group and NASA.
Masdar launches Uzbekistan’s largest battery energy storage project
Masdar commits to developing a 300MW/600MWh battery storage system in Uzbekistan, marking a major step in modernising the national grid and securing investments in renewable energy.
Jabil and Inno launch Thai site to manufacture battery energy storage enclosures
Jabil and Inno will co-develop a 15,000 sqm plant in Rayong, Thailand, to manufacture metal enclosures for battery energy storage systems, aiming to enhance vertical integration and secure supply chains.
Adani Group invests in a mega battery storage project in Khavda
Adani Group launches a 1126 MW project in Khavda, marking its first entry into energy storage, with one of the largest BESS systems ever built at a single site.
Kuwait in talks for 1.5 GW battery storage to ease grid pressure
Kuwait is preparing a battery storage project with a capacity of up to 6 GWh to stabilise its power grid and address rising electricity demand.
Quino Energy raises $16mn to industrialise organic electrolytes for flow batteries
Quino Energy secures $16mn in funding to scale global production of its organic electrolytes, with strategic support from investor Atri Energy Transition.
Envision and Statera partner on 680MW storage project in the United Kingdom
China's Envision Energy will supply a 680MW battery storage system to UK-based Statera Energy as part of the Carrington project, one of the largest in the country to reach financial close.
Girasol Energy launches grid-scale storage aggregation with two projects in Japan
Girasol Energy begins grid-scale battery aggregation with two facilities totalling 4MW in Japan, marking a strategic expansion into balancing markets.
CBAK Energy posts 36.5% revenue increase in Q3 driven by Hitrans
Driven by the recovery in the raw materials market, CBAK Energy posted a sharp rise in revenue in the third quarter, while its battery business enters a complex industrial transition.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.