Shizen Connect Signs Basic Agreement with Hokuriku Electric Power Group for Collaboration in Grid-Scale Battery Storage Business

Overview Shizen Connect, a leader in the VPP platform market, has expanded its existing capital and business alliance with Hokuriku Electric Power, established in July 2024, to encompass grid-scale battery storage operations. The two companies have signed a basic agreement regarding collaboration, centered on Shizen Connect providing its advanced operation system to the Hokuriku Electric Power Group.

Background and Objectives As the integration of renewable energy increases, the Hokuriku Electric Power Group recognizes the critical social challenge of managing fluctuations in power generation due to weather conditions and effectively utilizing renewable energy during low-demand periods. To address this, on April 23, 2026, the group announced its entry into the grid-scale battery storage business, starting with the installation of its first facility, the Funahashi Battery Station.

Scope of Collaboration In entering the grid-scale battery business, the Hokuriku Electric Power Group aims to provide a one-stop aggregation service that covers equipment construction, maintenance, and optimized operation. Shizen Connect, with its extensive track record in market trading, supply-demand management, and remote control/monitoring across a wide range of energy resources, was chosen for its flexibility and reliability.

Moving forward, Shizen Connect will support the Hokuriku Electric Power Group through the provision of its battery operation SaaS. This includes managing transactions in various electricity markets, such as the wholesale power market, supply-demand adjustment market, and capacity market, as well as managing balancing groups. Implementation is slated to begin with projects commencing operations from spring 2027 onwards.

Future Outlook Building on their prior collaboration in the low-voltage VPP sector, both companies plan to deepen their partnership in the grid-scale battery field. They will explore broader applications of Shizen Connect’s systems across the grid-scale battery stations owned or operated by the Hokuriku Electric Power Group. Shizen Connect remains committed to contributing to a decarbonized society through the optimization of energy resources with its diverse partners.