Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers
Starting in April, the company’s Toyota Turbine and Systems Inc. division will sell an Electricity Management system to dealers as part of its effort to get those dealers to cut energy consumption costs. Toyota is also getting its distributors to move towards solar power, LED lighting and other tree-hugging energy policies.
The recycled-battery systems can story up to 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power (by comparison, a typical US home uses between 15 and 20 kWh a day). The systems can be used for backup power and can cut costs by, for instance, being deployed as a primary energy source during peak usage and pricing hours of energy consumption.
By the way, those systems weigh about 2,100 pounds each (not all that much lighter than the early Prius models, actually), and are small enough that about six of them can fit into a typical parking space. Toyota’s press release is avaiable below. You can see how else Toyota is repurposing old Prius parts here (rollercoasters) and here (recycling).
Toyota City, Japan, January 23, 2013-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that starting this April, it will sell an electricity management system that uses recycled nickel-metal hydride batteries from hybrid vehicles to Toyota vehicle dealers throughout Japan. Through such means, TMC is aiming for the more effective use of resources used in batteries. The systems will be sold via TMC’s energy business company, Toyota Turbine and Systems Inc.
The energy management system will be sold in combination with Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), solar carports, solar power generation, LED lighting, energy-conserving air conditioning and other such items. The energy management system will make it possible to comprehensively control the consumption, storage, and discharge of electricity, as well as increase usage efficiency.
The fixed electricity storage system has been undergoing verification tests conducted at the Nagoya Toyopet Otagawa dealership and other locations since February of last year. By improving the usage efficiency of electricity-for example, by cutting the amount of electricity used during peak usage times-it was confirmed that the amount and cost of electricity and gas used for a single dealership can be decreased by half* compared to dealerships without the system.
Because backup electricity can be stored and used during power outages during times such as disasters, this system can be used by emergency response centers to power equipment necessary for gathering critical emergency information and to power evacuation shelters.
TMC will continue strengthening initiatives such as these as it works towards a sustainable, recycling-oriented society.
Key Specifications of the Energy Management System
Electricity storage capacity 10 kWh
Weight Approx. 980 kg
Size Height: 1,900 mm; Width: 1,140 mm; Depth: 1,280 mm
