[Ferro-Alloys.com] Sumitomo Electric Contributes to AI-Driven Optimization of Renewable Energy with Vanadium Redox Flow Battery at Osaka Metropolitan University - Industry-Academia-Government Demonstration Project Launched at the Innovation Academy Smart Energy Building -

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has successfully delivered its vanadium redox flow battery (hereinafter, “VRF battery”)*¹ to the newly built “Innovation Academy Smart Energy Building”*² on the Nakamozu Campus of Osaka Metropolitan University, the University Public Corporation Osaka (hereinafter, “OMU”).

As part of a project to enhance research infrastructure through industry-academia-government collaboration*³, the VRF battery has been integrated with the intelligent control system “SenaSon™”*? developed by Kansai Electric Power Co., inc. (hereinafter, “KEPCO”). The system will be utilized for the research and demonstration project aimed at improving renewable energy utilization in the Smart Energy Building, including power demand forecasting, solar energy prediction, and AI-based optimization of battery operations. 

The Innovation Academy Smart Energy Building is a cutting-edge research hub developed as part of the Facilities Development Projects for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration through Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities, an initiative led by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It is designed to meet Net Zero Energy Building (ZEB) standards, emphasizing energy efficiency, energy generation, and energy storage.
Sumitomo Electric’s VRF battery will be integrated with KEPCO’s “SenaSon™” control system to support research and demonstration activities. These include solar power generation forecasting, intelligent charge/discharge operations based on real-time electricity demand, and the development of AI-driven optimization models for enhanced Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS*⁵) operation and control. With virtually no fire risk, long service life, and stable operation, VRF batteries are attracting attention as an optimal, safe and sustainable storage solution. They are particularly well-suited for ZEBs and decentralized energy systems.
This delivery marks a pioneering model of collaboration between universities, industry, and local governments aimed at maximizing the use of renewable energy. The Smart Energy Building is expected to serve as a demonstration field for next-generation energy systems, contributing to the realization of a decarbonized regional society.
Sumitomo Electric remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating renewable energy adoption, and advancing the development of smart communities through the deployment of its safe and long-lasting VRF batteries.  

  ■Features of the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

• [Editor:tianyawei]