I-PEX Inc. (Headquarters: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City; Representative Director and President: Reiji Konishi, hereinafter referred to as I-PEX) has delivered the Built-in Battery BOX for Streetlights (hereinafter Battery BOX) to the Kitakyushu Eco‑Town Center, an environmental learning facility within the Kitakyushu Eco-Town project promoted by Kitakyushu City (10-20 Koyo-cho, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu City). The delivered Battery BOX is part of the RENERATH Battery Storage System series, which incorporates repurposed lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (hereinafter EV batteries).
The Battery BOX, which uses refurbished EV batteries as storage batteries, will be operated as part of a "double-reuse LED lighting" system in combination with refurbished solar panels.
The delivered Battery BOX will be used in the double-reuse LED lighting system.
Background of the Battery BOX Delivery to Kitakyushu City
Since 2024, I-PEX has been developing the RENERATH Battery Storage System series, which reuses and repurposes EV batteries to achieve a sustainable, safe, and secure energy utilization through battery storage and resource recycling. Meanwhile, Kitakyushu City has been actively addressing challenges related to the introduction of renewable energy and resource recycling. Initiatives include the "Kitakyushu Triangle Model," Japan's first public-private partnership promoting the reuse and recycling of solar panels, simultaneously tackling the expansion of solar power and the issue of large-scale disposal.
This alignment of goals led to the introduction of the Battery BOX at the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center, an environmental learning hub. As part of the city's environmental and disaster-prevention awareness efforts, the RENERATH Battery BOX was introduced as an update to the power supply unit while retaining the existing streetlights.
This initiative is being implemented as part of the Ministry of the Environment's pioneering decarbonization project, promoted by Kitakyushu City and 17 other collaborating municipalities.
About Kitakyushu City's Double Reuse LED Lighting System
The Battery BOX installed in the double reuse LED lighting system.
Kitakyushu City's double reuse LED lighting is installed as an emergency power supply and streetlight units that incorporate not only the Battery BOX, which utilize reused EV batteries as storage batteries, but also reused solar panels.
The electricity generated by the solar panels is stored in the Battery BOX and used to power the LED lighting at night. In the event of a disaster-related power outage, the Battery BOX can be removed and used as an emergency power source.
Installed at the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center, an environmental learning hub, the double reuse LED lighting system 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 benefits 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 system was unveiled at the 2026 Winter Festival on February 7. At the venue, I-PEX's Battery BOX and reused solar panels were showcased as examples to explain concepts of resource recycling (reuse and repurpose), renewable energy, and securing power during power outages to citizens and visitors.
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 streetlight 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 on environmental and disaster prevention awareness activities at the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Center. Through the RENERATH series, we will also expand its business to local governments and educational facilities across 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, with the goal of creating new value through collaboration with our partners and contributing to smart cities.
About the RENERATH Battery Storage System Series
RENERATH brand logo
Clean electricity for everyday life - RENERATH is a series of Battery Storage System from I-PEX that reuses used EV batteries. By combining reused batteries with IoT technology, we aim to provide energy with sustainable, safe, and secure storage batteries. As of February 2026, the Battery Storage System RENERATH offers two products: solar streetlights 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 astonishment in the global marketplace. The company was founded in 1963 as Dai-ichi Seiko, a precision mold manufacturer, and has since produced numerous world-firsts and unique products and solutions. I-PEX currently operates in five business fields: Connectors, Contract Manufacturing (Automotive Components & Electronics Components), Molds & Equipment, MEMS Foundry, and Energy Solutions. By delivering the sharpest tip to the world, we will contribute to exciting value-creation in the digitalized society by working globally with every customer who opens up the new era.
| Trade Name | I-PEX Inc. |
|---|---|
| President | Representative Director and President Reiji Konishi |
| Location | 5th Hase Building, 7th Floor, 637 Suiginya-cho, 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 |
