Japan increases adoption of DR solutions

Metering.com 13 OCTOBER 2016

This week, Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power Company partnered with energy management firm Comverge for the rollout of a demand response programme.

The demand response programme will be deployed in partnership with facility management firm Kanden Facilities.

In a combined statement, Kansai Electric said the project is funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The initiative falls under the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the East Asian state achieves a stable grid by shifting consumers usage of power during peak periods to when energy demands are low.

Demand response programme deployment

The project will focus on helping operators of commercial buildings reduce their energy usage and costs.

Comverge will deploy its demand response management technology IntelliSOURCE Enterprise into the utility’s grid network to remotely communicate the occurrence of peak periods to facilities registered within the Kanden Facilities network.

KEPCO will use the technology’s application IntelliPeak to remotely order HVAC systems and other appliances in commercial buildings to reduce power consumption during communicated peak demand times.

The utility firm said it selected to use Comverge’s technology following a successful trial of the solution in a pilot. [Japanese firms collaborate on grid management]

David Ellis, director at Comverge Japan, said: “We are very excited to work with KEPCO and KFA on this new project as we look to further the penetration of demand response resources in Japan.”

Energy efficiency partnership

Whilst Japan is finding ways to ensure grid reliability through demand response initiatives, the country is also helping its international allies to improve their energy efficiency measures.

In late May, Iran and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation on energy efficiency.

The Iranian Institute for International Energy Studies and Japan Cooperation Centre for the Middle East will work together toward the transfer of technology and experience to Iran in the field on energy efficiency.

Japanese experts will team up with Iran’s state-run Institute for International Energy Studies to develop what will be the country’s first major roadmap for energy efficiency.

Commenting at the signing of the agreement, Majid Mohammadi Hosseinabadi deputy for international affairs at the IIES, said: “An agreement will be signed with Japan in the near future to draw a framework for energy management policies in Iran.”

The project will be financially backed by Japan.