Hydro-Quebec teams with Sony to develop large scale energy storage systems
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Two sides hope to stabilize fluctuations in electricity generated by renewable energy sources
MONTREAL—Quebec’s Crown utility plans to start a company with technology giant Sony Corp. that will explore the development of large-scale energy storage system for power grids in the province.
According to Hydro-Quebec, its joint venture with Sony will see the two sides create a yet-to-be named company in June to research and develop a new system for large-scale applications.
As demand for energy storage systems rises, the two hope to leverage their joint expertise to meet increased peak power demand, stable power supplies in the event of outages or disasters and stabilize fluctuations in electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
The new company will work off of Hydro-Quebec’s operation and control technologies for electric power supplies and its lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery material technology, as well as Sony’s control technologies for olivine-type (Li-ion) iron phosphate rechargeable batteries and scalable module systems.
“By combining Hydro-Quebec’s experience in electricity systems and its R&D work in energy storage with Sony’s expertise in lithium-ion battery production, we are creating a world-class joint venture with the necessary expertise to manage the R&D of batteries for renewable energy storage and the smart grid,” Élie Saheb, Hydro-Quebec’s executive vice-president of technology, said in a statement.
Saheb will act as executive director of the Varenne, Que.-based joint venture.
