Photovoltaic Power Generation System with Peak-Cut Gigacell Delivered

 Tokyo, August 31, 2006 — Kawasaki Plant Systems, Ltd. (K Plant) announced today that it has delivered a 100 kW photovoltaic power generation system to Yachiyo Shoin Junior High and High School in Chiba Prefecture. The system is Kawasaki’s first peak-cut application with a photovoltaic system that will reduce reliance on commercial electricity. It comprises photovoltaic battery modules and power conditioners, with Kawasaki’s newly developed large nickel metal-hydride Gigacell battery. K Plant, as an EPC contractor, supplied the system on a turnkey basis, including engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning and performance testing.

 Kawasaki’s system provides automatic power consumption control. The Gigacell can compensate for periods when the photovoltaic battery modules cannot meet energy demand. When charging capacity is less than demand, the system controls the electric load and ensures that consumption does not exceed the contracted limit. In the case of a failure in the electricity supply from the grid, the photovoltaic battery modules and Gigacell will automatically supply power to the primary load on the school’s campus.

 As one of the field projects of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) aimed at expanding solar energy systems, Yachiyo Shoin selected Kawasaki’s system. It will be operated as a joint research project by Yachiyo Shoin and NEDO.

 Kawasaki’s Gigacell provides quick charge/discharge capabilities, with a wide range of applications expected due to its peak-cut feature. These include output leveling of wind power generation, vehicle power, regenerative electric power absorption, load leveling of microgrid distribution generation systems, and as an uninterruptible power supply for power disruptions and failures.

 Kawasaki is committed to the development of photovoltaic power generation systems as well as to further advances in other power generation systems utilizing biomass and wind.