Introduction

Nichicon Corporation has delivered a charging station for EVs (Electric Vehicles) to the island of Mikura-jima, Tokyo. The carbon-free solar power generated by the system is stored and combined with power from the grid to charge EVs.
For the first time ever, residents of Mikura-jima have a solar-powered system for charging EVs. 
Nichicon has been developing power storage banks that link with utility grids in order to smooth out the significant fluctuations inherent in solar power and other natural energy sources. The company's technologies have so far earned it contracts to install charging and energy management systems in five locations in Kyoto Prefecture, at the Suita Service Area of the Meishin Expressway, and in the public relations facilities of the Komekurayama Mega-solar Power Plant in Yamanashi prefecture. These installed facilities were made possible by integrating technologies that Nichicon has built up in the fields of battery management and power conditioning systems. 
This "energy-generation/energy-storage"-type EV charging station, the first for Nichicon on an isolated island, brings together our technologies and our desire to help the residents of Mikura-jima, Tokyo protect their island's natural environment. 

Background of Development

With the environment a topic of increasing concern, efforts to reduce society’s carbon emissions are in full swing worldwide. The automotive industry is placing particular focus on this issue as Japanese, North American, and European car manufacturers develop and mass-produce EVs. To facilitate the dissemination of EVs, Nichicon provides the necessary infrastructure technologies with products including EV in-vehicle modules and EV charging systems. Thanks to our range of technological expertise in the field, we have received orders and inquiries from highway departments, public parks boards, local governments, and private enterprise, to name just a few. 
Mikura-jima has embarked on a project to use solar and other forms of renewable energy in order to keep the island green and protect its natural beauty. To meet the infrastructure needs for the project, the island community ordered this EV charging station with solar power generation and power storage functions. The installation of this Nichicon system is certain to accelerate the adoption of EVs by the residents of Mikura-jima, who are well aware of the need to reduce society’s carbon emissions. 
Nichicon will continue contributing to the building of EV infrastructure that meets the needs of a range of installation conditions.

Main Features

• Carbon-free charging by using solar power generation
  Clean energy generated by solar power is stored in the power storage bank, and this stored energy is used to charge EVs. No carbon is generated in the process.
• Power storage function means power is always available for charging 
  While solar power generation is at the mercy of the weather, efficiently storing it in storage banks ensures a stable supply of energy for charging. Thanks to the power storage function, there's always power available for charging EVs, whatever the weather.
• Power storage function means power is available during blackouts
  Thanks to the power storage function, the charging station is ready to provide power when the public utility is down due to a natural disaster.

Main Specifications

NICHICON CORPORATION Profile

Location	:	Karasumadori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Representative	:	Ippei Takeda, Chairman & CEO
Established	:	August 1, 1950
Capital stock	:	14,286 million yen (As of March 31, 2011)
Employees	:	8,219 (As of March 31, 2011, Consolidated)
Lines of business	:	Production and sales of various kinds of capacitors for electronics, electric apparatuses and power utilities, function modules, positive thermistors, switching power supplies, capacitor-applied systems and equipment, etc.
Net sales	:	105,914 million yen (As of March 31, 2011, Consolidated)