Abstract The Lithium Battery Energy Storage Technology Research Association (LIBES) conducts research and development on ‘Dispersed Battery Energy Storage Technology’ of the New Sun-Shine Program of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). This national project is being carried out based on the contract with New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This R&D project for ten years with the budget of approximately Y14 billion has been started in the fiscal year 1992, and includes: (i) R&D of 20–30 kWh class high-performance ambient-temperature lithium secondary batteries, and (ii) study on the total system of lithium-battery application technology. This paper describes the project and current research activities.