I-PEX Corporation (Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan; President: Reiji Konishi; hereinafter "I-PEX") has delivered to the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center (10-20 Koyo-cho, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu City), an environmental learning center for the Kitakyushu Eco-Town project promoted by Kitakyushu City, a lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles (hereinafter EV battery). The Battery Storage System series RENERATH "Built-in Battery BOX for Street Lights" ("Battery BOX"), which is reused and repurposed, has been delivered.
The "Battery BOX," which uses refurbished EV batteries as storage batteries, will be operated as a "double-reuse LED lighting" system, utilizing it in conjunction with refurbished solar panels.
The delivered "battery box" will be used in the "double-reuse LED lighting" project.
Background of the delivery of "Battery BOX" to Kitakyushu City
Since 2024, I-PEX has been developing a business that balances sustainable, safe, and secure energy utilization through battery storage and resource recycling through the use of EV batteries, through its RENERATH series of Battery Storage System that reuse and repurpose EV batteries. In addition, Kitakyushu City is actively working to solve the challenges of introducing renewable energy and resource recycling, such as building the "Kitakyushu Triangle Model," the first model in Japan that promotes the reuse and recycling of solar panels through public-private partnerships, and simultaneously solves the problem of expanding the introduction of solar power generation and the problem of large-scale disposal.
This time, the concept of reusing and repurposing EV batteries in RENERATH aligned with Kitakyushu City's efforts to implement it in society as part of its environmental and disaster prevention awareness activities. At the "Kitakyushu Eco Town Center," an environmental learning hub, the RENERATH "Battery BOX" was introduced by updating the power supply unit while utilizing the existing streetlights.
This initiative is being implemented as part of the Ministry of the Environment's pioneering decarbonization project, which is being promoted by Kitakyushu City and 17 other collaborating municipalities.
Regarding Kitakyushu City's "Double Reuse LED Lighting"
The "Battery BOX" installed in the "Double Reuse LED Lighting"
Kitakyushu City's "double reuse LED lighting" is installed not only as a "battery box" that uses reused EV batteries as a storage battery, but also as an "emergency power supply and street light" equipped with reused solar panels.
The electricity generated by the solar panels is stored in the "battery box" and used as a power source for lighting at night. In the event of a power outage due to a disaster, the "battery box" can be removed and used as an emergency power source.
Furthermore, by being installed at the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center, an environmental learning hub, it is expected to have an educational and awareness-raising effect on citizens, as it will serve as teaching material that allows them to learn not only about the effects of EV battery reuse and repurposing on resource recycling and the environment, but also about disaster resilience and disaster prevention efforts through emergency power sources.
"2026 Winter Festival"
The "Double Reuse LED Lighting" was unveiled at the "2026 Winter Festival" held on February 7th. At the venue, I-PEX's "Battery BOX" and reused solar panels were used as examples to explain to citizens and visitors the concepts of resource recycling (reuse and repurpose), the use of renewable energy, and securing power during power outages.
About RENERATH's "Off-Grid Solar Streetlights"
RENERATH "Off-Grid Solar Streetlight"
The RENERATH "Off-Grid Solar Streetlight" operates solely on renewable energy from solar panels, without the need for an external power source. In addition to its function as an LED streetlight, it features a built-in "battery box" that can be removed and used as a portable battery during power outages. It can also be operated as a smart pole equipped with optional functions such as security cameras and various sensors.
- Easy to set up, operates off-grid.
The solar panels generate electricity, which is stored in a portable battery box to power the LED lights, allowing the solar streetlights to operate autonomously on their own. - It is used as a street light during normal times and as an emergency power source during power outages.
In the event of a power outage, the built-in battery box can be removed and used as a power source at evacuation centers or other locations. - Utilizing reused electric vehicle batteries to maintain charging capacity over the long term
We use high-quality battery modules made from recycled lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles. - Equipped with a safe and secure battery control system.
This reused battery features functions to appropriately control overcharging, over-discharging, and over-temperature, as well as a protection function to prevent short circuits inside the battery.
Regarding future developments
I-PEX will continue to cooperate in environmental and disaster prevention awareness activities at the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center, and will also expand its business through RENERATH to local governments and educational facilities throughout Kyushu, including Kitakyushu City.
Furthermore, with regard to the RENERATH Battery Storage System series, we aim to develop a model that balances decarbonization and resource recycling by promoting the social implementation of reused and repurposed EV batteries, targeting the creation of new value through collaboration with partners and contributions to smart cities.
About the RENERATH Battery Storage System Series
RENERATH brand logo
Clean electricity for everyday life - "RENERATH" is a Battery Storage System series of I-PEX that reuses used EV batteries. By combining reusable batteries with IoT technology, we aim to provide energy with sustainable, safe, and secure storage batteries. As of February 2026, Battery Storage System RENERATH has two products: solar street lights and variable storage batteries.
Battery storage system series RENERATH product page (Japanese only)
About I-PEX Inc.
I-PEX stands for "Innovative Product development & Engineering solutions eXpert" providing value in the form of inspiration and surprise to the global market. Founded in 1963 as "Daiichi Seikou," a precision mold manufacturer, I-PEX has since created numerous world-firsts and unique products and solutions. Currently, it operates in five business areas: "Connectors," "Contract Manufacturing (Automotive components and Electronics Mechanical Parts)," "Molds and Equipment," "MEMS Foundry," and "Energy Solutions." By expanding its cutting edge to the world, I-PEX contributes to the creation of exciting value in the digital society, together with customers around the world who are pioneering the next era.
| Trade Name | I-PEX Inc. |
|---|---|
| President | Representative Director and President Reiji Konishi |
| Location | 7th Floor, 5th Hase Building, 637 Suiginyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8411 |
| Establishment | July 10, 1963 |
| Paid-in Capital | 9,968 million yen (as of December 31, 2025) |
| Business Operation | ・ Connectors Business ・ Contract Manufacturing Business (Automotive Components & Electronics Components) ・ Mold & Equipment Business ・ MEMS Foundry Business ・ Energy Solutions Business |
| URL | https://corp.i-pex.com/en |
