Construction of “Denki no Eki Kawajiri” (Electric Station Kawajiri), a joint project between JR Kyushu and Sumitomo Corporation

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura), a company involved in large-scale membrane structures (tent structures) and civil engineering and logistics materials, has received an order from Electric Station LLC (Executors: Hiroki Kono and Keita Kojima; hereinafter “Electric Station”), a company in which Kyushu Railway Company, Sumitomo Corporation, and others have invested, to construct “Electric Station Kawajiri. (President: Yumi Nomura) has recently completed the construction of “Denki no Eki Kawajiri” from Denki no Eki Godo Kaisha (Executors: Hiroki Kono and Keita Kojima, hereinafter “Denki no Eki”), a joint venture funded by Kyushu Railway Company, Sumitomo Corporation, and others.

2050年カーボンニュートラルの実現に向けて、再生可能エネルギーの大量導入を見据えた電力ネットワークの安定化・次世代化が求められるなかで、電力系統の需給バランスを調整する蓄電池の役割が重要になっています。こうした役割を担う“でんきの駅川尻”は、2024年3月に熊本県熊本市に誕生した、電気自動車の使用済みバッテリーを活用した蓄電所です。蓄電所建屋には高い安全性が要求されました。

今回、太陽工業が施工した建屋は、金属の骨組みに膜材（生地）を被せて設置する膜構造のテント倉庫です。テント倉庫は柔軟で地震に強く、耐火性、耐久性にも優れており危険物倉庫として高い安全性をもちます。

The “Denki no Eki Kawajiri” building employs Taiyo Kogyo’s proprietary “Flex System,” a construction method that achieves short construction periods and low costs as a membrane structure building. The “Flex House,” a tent warehouse that uses this system, is characterized by its low environmental impact compared to conventional buildings. Because it is lightweight and uses a smaller amount of steel frame, the environmental impact of transportation is greatly reduced. In addition, the membrane material has high sunlight transmittance, enabling the creation of bright, open interior spaces. Artificial lighting is not required during the daytime, reducing energy consumption. Since piling work is no longer required, foundation work takes less time. Taking advantage of these features, the membrane construction of “Denki no Eki Kawajiri” was completed in a short period of 4 months from the start of construction.

Taiyo Kogyo expects that the use of membrane structures in energy storage facilities such as “Denki no Eki Kawajiri” will continue to expand in the future. Taiyo Kogyo is actively promoting the use of its “Flex House” tent warehouse for hazardous materials warehouses with the aim of increasing orders.

Project site Kawajiri, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Kawajiri Station on the Kagoshima Main Line, beside the elevated Kyushu Shinkansen line) ・Provider Electric Station LLC ・Completion date March 21, 2024 ・Project start September 2024 (scheduled) ・Rated output 1.5MW ・Effective capacity 6.0MW hours ・System overview

• Holds approximately 350 EV reusable batteries
• Control technology for scale-up (higher output and capacity)
• Battery-operated
• Enclosure structure for short construction period and safe design
• Specially designed to fit the geometry of railroad lines

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, FY2022 Supplemental Project to Support the Introduction of Grid Storage Systems and Water Electrolyzers ・Building Outline

• Structure: Frame and membrane structure, 1 story, 2 buildings
• Dimensions: 5m (frontage) x 30m (depth) x 6.138m (height) per building
• Area: Total floor space: 255 square meters
• Specifications: Roofing: Shutburn 21 (noncombustible)
• Owner: Denki no Eki Godo Kaisha
• Design: Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
• Application: Power storage

太陽工業は、経済性、施工性、透光性、デザイン性に優れた大型膜面構造物のリーディングカンパニーです。「膜の無限の可能性を引き出し、お客さまに感動と快適な環境をお届けします。」の企業理念のもと、軽くて丈夫な素材の特性を活かし、巨大ドームの屋根に象徴される各種建築事業をはじめ、土木や物流、さらには環境分野などにも事業を展開し社会の安全・安心を支えています。

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