No. 122: Smart grid for household with a heat storage system (August 4, 2010)

Mitsubishi Electric will introduce a heat storage system in the substantiative experiment of smart grid scheduled to start within the year. It is the system that stores the energy generated by photovoltaic generation and solar power generation in the natural refrigerant water heater (EcoCute). It is designed to increase energy efficiency by combining power storage and heat storage as a new solution for the smart grid for household. Effective utilization of heat is vital to the smart grid for household because about 60% of power demand is for air-conditioning and hot-water supply in household. The company plans to employ a hybrid system for generation that combines photovoltaic generation and solar power generation, and use heat storage equipment and a storage battery for electricity. The point is how much heat stored during daylight can reduce midnight power. The data and information will be shared with Tokyo Electric Power.