Honda is exploring how to diversify the use of portable batteries, which it has been producing since 2017. In addition to their use in electric vehicles, they could be used to store renewable energy to supply homes during peak demand.
Honda presented the possible future uses of the Mpp or Honda Mobile Power Pack, the portable and interchangeable batteries that the Japanese company has been manufacturing since 2017. The objective is to have them to store renewable energy and use it later to power electric motors. And not only that.
In practice, Honda wants to balance the supply and demand of energy through these portable batteries weighing about ten kilos, which would act as a “cushioning measure” in the event of a blackout or voltage drop in the electrical networks.
These batteries represent an intermediate step on Honda’s path to zero emissions, with a goal of 2050.
Based on this concept, Honda intends to use renewable energies to increase the autonomy of its cars and motorcycles, which have been progressively electrified in recent years.
One of the challenges of using renewables as a source of energy is that the amount of electricity generated does not always correspond to the demand. This is because the amount of power generated fluctuates based on natural conditions, such as the weather, climate, or time of day.
Yes, because when the energy production is too low in relation to the demand, this can cause interruptions in the network. On the contrary, if the offer is much higher than the demand, there may be cuts to avoid overloading the network.
So what can you do? To resolve these situations and expand the use of renewable energy, the ‘buffer function’ is important, helping to strike the right balance. This is done by storing excess energy using Mpps.
Honda portable batteries connected to the network
In fact, Honda intends to connect these portable batteries to the real electrical grid. This last point, which is still in the design phase, would imply the installation of several MPPs.
Honda engineers are also working on the second life of batteries that are rendered useless for electric vehicles. The main use they think of is as a means of energy storage for residential use or as a source of electricity for other products.
Then there is the question of sustainable mobility, Honda’s core business. For this reason, Honda has developed Mpps so that users can use electricity from renewable energy conveniently, anytime, anywhere. Both for mobility and for everyday activities.
The tipping point for these batteries could come in the first half of 2022, when Honda – after conducting demonstration tests on electric taxis and tricycles – prepares to launch a battery-sharing service in India.
Initially, these portable batteries will only be available on a rental basis to corporate customers who own a Honda vehicle.
