QAZAQ GREEN.  Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. and Maeda Construction Co., Ltd. have launched a two-year demonstration project of a portable direct current (DC) microgrid at Maeda Construction’s ICI General Center in Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture. The project, starting in December 2025, aims to develop an autonomous power supply system for multiple facilities, according to Response.jp.

The microgrid integrates solar power plants, Smart Power Hubs (SPH), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and storage batteries to provide localized power management and reduce CO₂ emissions. The system ensures stable power supply even during grid outages and can serve as an emergency backup source.

SPH units and batteries are installed in a mobile 20-foot container that can be deployed to disaster-affected areas. Electric vehicles function as mobile storage units, allowing electricity to be shared across multiple buildings.

During the trial, solar-generated power will supply the ICI-Camp gym and cafeteria, with surplus energy stored in stationary and vehicle-mounted batteries. The experiment will evaluate daily energy load balancing and CO₂ reduction. In simulated blackout scenarios, the gym will be powered autonomously, confirming its suitability as an evacuation shelter.

After completion, the container will be relocated for testing with local solar facilities and inter-building power distribution via electric vehicles. Both companies plan to expand the system’s use in public buildings and critical facilities such as factories and hospitals, contributing to more resilient and sustainable regional energy infrastructure.