NEC Corporation completely acquired A123 Energy Solutions, the grid energy solutions and commercial energy systems business of A123 System, from China’s Wanxiang Group. A123 Energy Solutions will operate as NEC Energy Solutions, Inc. (NECES) and will capitalize on technologies and deployment record to build energy storage systems.

As part of this acquisition, NECES and Wanxiang will create a joint venture to develop the grid energy storage and commercial systems business in China. Moreover, NEC will seek to expand new global business through the creation of next generation energy solutions linked to Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and energy storage systems.

NEC Energy Solutions will manufacture and continue the launch of Nanophosphate® ALM Series Lead Acid Replacement Batteries. These batteries deliver significantly lighter weight, higher power and longer calendar and cycle life as compared with lead acid for a number of applications, including telecommunications, data centers, medical and UPS systems.

Going forward, NEC Energy Solutions will help society realize a strong, stable, and sustainable energy infrastructure through the provision of intelligent energy solutions to enable greater usage of renewable energy from wind and solar, support aging grid infrastructure, and improve the operational efficiency of existing grid assets.

“We are very pleased about the establishment of NEC Energy Solutions, and with it the full-scale entry into the grid energy storage and industrial batteries marketplace. We will leverage the strengths of the NEC Group to enhance our offerings to support the renewable energy sector, the utility sector, the telecommunications sector, and others,” said Takemitsu Kunio, Senior Vice President of NEC Corporation. “By improving energy reliability, sustainability, and security with turn-key systems integration and best-in-class energy storage technologies, we will strive to be the leader in smart energy solutions.”