In June 2024, DENSO Corporation installed an energy management system using BEVs at its headquarters, and began a demonstration to achieve carbon neutrality for car travel and office activities. In terms of product structure, the operating income of ¥10-30 billion products was ¥401 / ¥1288 / ¥0.06 billion, respectively.
DENSO is engaged in various initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, focusing on the three areas of manufacturing, mobility products, and energy use. In the area of "energy use", DENSO is developing technologies aimed at utilizing them in various aspects of society, ranging from production activities in factories to car travel, offices, and even households.
In this demonstration, DENSO aims for carbon neutrality in its company-owned BEVs and the main building (a six-story office building) of DENSO Corporation by using V2X (vehicle-to-everything) system that coordinates information and energy between cars and various things. By optimally utilizing electric power between on-site and off-site photovoltaic power generation equipment, company-owned BEVs, and stationary rechargeable batteries for fixed use to supply electric power to the main building of DENSO headquarters, excess power generated by photovoltaic power generation during the daytime is reserved in BEVs and stationary rechargeable batteries for fixed use, and then discharged to the main building during the nighttime, thereby increasing the self-consumption rate of renewable energy. *1 Virgin material: Made using only new materialsDENSO developed the V2X system used in this demonstration by leveraging its expertise in control technology and quality management accumulated in the development of automotive parts. The system includes photovoltaic panels installed in the headquarters, regular chargers, V2H chargers, about 20 BEVs owned by the company, and a stationary rechargeable battery system (manufactured by Toyota Motor) in which multiple units are connected. The system also includes off-site photovoltaic power generation equipment. *2The excess electric power generated by photovoltaic power generation at DENSO headquarters is supplied to the main building, and excess power is reserved in company-owned BEVs and stationary rechargeable batteries for fixed use during the daytime. Then, during the nighttime, it is discharged to the main building, thereby increasing the self-consumption rate of renewable energy and aiming for carbon neutrality of company-owned BEVs and the main building of DENSO's headquarters.
The V2X system introduced this time was independently developed by DENSO, utilizing the control technology and quality management know-how that the company has cultivated in the development of automotive parts. The stationary rechargeable battery system (manufactured by Toyota Motor) consists of photovoltaic panels installed in the headquarters, regular chargers, V2H chargers, about 20 company-owned BEVs, and rechargeable batteries for electric cars. *3In addition, off-site photovoltaic power generation equipment is included. DENSO aims to increase the self-consumption rate of renewable energy by supplying excess electric power generated by photovoltaic power generation during the daytime to the main building of DENSO headquarters, reserving excess power in company-owned BEVs and stationary rechargeable batteries for fixed use, and discharging it to the main building during the nighttime.
Key points of the demonstration:
The system aims to maintain both the convenience of company-owned BEVs and the effectiveness of system implementation by introducing a large number of company-owned BEVs in the demonstration and verifying its efficiency. The demonstration has two features.
1. Efficient power exchange between main building and company-owned BEVs
In this demonstration, the amount of power generated by photovoltaic power generation and the demand for electric power in the main building were predicted. The excess power is used to charge BEVs, and if there is insufficient power, it will discharge. By linking supply and demand fluctuations of power with the reservation system for company-owned BEVs, electric power is supplied to the main building from BEVs that do not have reservations while BEVs with reservations are charged. This has created an efficient system to provide power between the main building and company-owned BEVs.
2. Optimal management of BEV charging
In the conventional method of charging BEVs, it was common to start charging and wait until the battery was fully charged. It was also known that if the lithium-ion battery remained fully charged, it could deteriorate, leading to reduced driving range. In this demonstration, BEVs are utilized as rechargeable batteries, and because the performance of the BEV battery is key to the efficiency of the entire system, DENSO has developed a technology to optimally control the charging and discharging of BEVs and manage the battery with an appropriate charging amount to suppress battery deterioration. Through the demonstration, it will be confirmed whether the V2X system will help to reduce battery degradation.
Efficient power exchange between main building and company-owned BEVs: This demonstration predicts the amount of electric power generated by photovoltaic power system and the amount of electric power consumed by the main building and then transfers the excess electric power to the company-owned BEVs for charging. Additionally, if there is a shortage of electric power, the company-owned BEVs will discharge into the main building. It establishes an efficient system to exchange electric power between the main building and company-owned BEVs by coordinating power supply and demand fluctuations and the company-owned BEV reservation system.
Optimal management of BEV charging: In the conventional method of charging BEVs, BEVs were commonly fully charged before being disconnected from the chargers. However, it is known that if the lithium-ion battery remained fully charged, it could deteriorate, leading to reduced driving range. In this demonstration, BEVs are utilized as rechargeable batteries, and the charging and discharging of BEVs are optimized to manage the deterioration of the battery. This technology enables the suppression of battery degradation and contributes to reducing the costs of battery replacement, which will be confirmed by this demonstration.
This demonstration aims to confirm the suppression of battery degradation due to the efficient utilization of BEVs as rechargeable batteries using the V2X system.
Overview of demonstration
A signboard that shows the status of the demonstration in real-time, such as the degree of self-consumption of electricity and power supply and demand prediction, has been installed in front of the reception desk in Building No. 5 of the headquarters.
Denso will continue to provide solutions that can be used in various scenes of daily life to achieve carbon neutrality for society as a whole.
*1 Virgin material: Made using only new materialsV2X (Vehicle to X) refers to technology that connects cars with various things, including homes, offices, factories, and power systems.
*2BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is an electric car that runs on electricity only, without using gasoline.
*3Development and demonstration of fixed storage battery system using rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles.
https://global.toyota/jp/newsroom/corporate/39239637.html
【Reference】
We introduce our previous energy management efforts on our website. Please take a look.
Charge and discharge service to accelerate the shift to renewable energy
https://www.denso.com/jp/ja/driven-base/project/charge-and-discharge/
Orders for the next model of the "V2H-charge and discharge device" are now being accepted.
(The old model of the "V2H-charge and discharge device" is used in this demonstration)
https://www.denso.com/jp/ja/news/newsroom/2024/20240118-01/
Starting the trial introduction of an energy management system using BEV
https://www.denso.com/jp/ja/news/newsroom/2023/20230209-01/