Featured Stories
Charged for Success: VRFB Crowned with the ISGAN Award
In a significant recognition of our contributions to sustainable energy solutions, Sumitomo Electric is excited to announce that our Vanadium Redox Flow Battery project has been honoured with the prestigious ISGAN Award 2024 for Excellence, underscoring our leadership in sustainable energy solutions. This recognition not only celebrates our innovation but also highlights the critical role of energy storage in North America's transition to renewable energy.
From 2015 to 2021, in collaboration with NEDO, the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), we successfully implemented large-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) in San Diego. This project showcased the potential of VRFB technology in enhancing grid stability and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.
Across North America, states like California, New York, and Texas are leading the charge in the shift towards renewable energy. These states have set ambitious targets to transform their energy infrastructure, aiming to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their reliance on renewable resources such as solar and wind power.
- California
Goal: 100% clean energy by 2045. The state aims to have 60% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Initiatives: Large-scale renewable projects, EV promotion, and energy efficiency policies. The state is also exploring advanced storage solutions to manage renewable energy fluctuations.
- New York
Goal: 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040.
Initiatives: Expanding wind and solar energy, while investing in next-gen storage systems that can ensure grid stability.
- Texas
Goal: Maintain leadership in renewable energy. The state aims to increase its renewable energy capacity significantly, with projections suggesting renewables could provide up to 50% of the state's electricity by 2030.
Initiatives: Expanding solar and wind projects, with a focus on energy infrastructure upgrades to integrate advanced storage technologies.
While the growth of renewable energy is promising, one of the key challenges remains Energy Storage — how to store and manage the energy generated from intermittent sources like solar and wind. This is where advanced technologies like Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) come into play.
At Sumitomo Electric, we're proud to be part of this energy revolution. Our ongoing demonstration project with SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) in California is showcasing the potential of VRFB technology to provide reliable, long-duration energy storage solutions. This project is a crucial step toward stabilizing the grid and ensuring a constant supply of power, even when renewable generation fluctuates. The SDG&E demonstration highlights our commitment to supporting California's renewable energy goals while offering a scalable solution that could be expanded to other states like New York and Texas.
Our award-winning VRFB technology offers several advantages that make it ideal for supporting these renewable energy goals:
- Long lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements
- Scalability, allowing for large-scale deployment
- Ability to provide long-duration energy storage (LDES), essential for managing intermittent renewable sources
As we celebrate this recognition, we remain committed to advancing energy storage technologies that will play a pivotal role in the global transition to renewable energy. The ISGAN Award 2024 not only validates our efforts but also motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable energy solutions.
We're excited about the future and the part our VRFB technology will play in helping states and countries achieve their renewable energy ambitions. Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing projects and innovations in the renewable energy sector.
About ISGAN Award
The International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) Awards honor smart grid innovations that improve grid flexibility and resilience. This year’s theme, “Flexibility for Grid Resilience,” emphasizes the need for adaptable systems to manage renewable energy variability and withstand extreme weather.