The battery system named the O-Uchi Kyuden system is said to draw on the company’s many years of electrified vehicle development and is based on the concept of “safe, long service life, high quality, good value for price, and high performance” according to a statement.
The O-Uchi Kyuden system uses EV battery technology including Toyota’s battery control to provide a rated capacity of 8.7kWh and a rated output of 5.5kWh. With this power can be supplied to homes during outages, as well as on a day to day basis.
Coupled with a photovoltaic system, the system also can supply the appropriate amount of electricity based on customer needs throughout the day and night. Indeed, Toyota believes that use of the system will encourage the use of solar power.
Other features of the system include charging of the battery from hybrid and fully electric vehicles and using the electricity stored in EVs as a backup power source during power outages. The maximum output in these applications is 1.1kWh.
The system is controlled via a dedicated smartphone app, which also can incorporate and control the hybrid power conditioner in real time.
Toyota has advised that pre-sales are open for the system, which should ship in Japan in August.
However, the company has not released a price, nor stated where and when it might become available elsewhere in the world.
In developing the home battery system Toyota joins manufacturers such as Tesla and Nissan in providing an option for residential use, in competition to the traditional battery manufacturers.
