[Japan] Tohoku Electric Power Will Establish Tohoku Frontier to Strengthen the Monetization Strategies for Its Smart Society Businesses

Tohoku Electric Power (Tohoku, Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture) announced on February 25, 2021 that it has decided to establish a new subsidiary, Tohoku Electric Power Frontier (Tohoku Frontier), to strengthen the monetization of its smart society business development projects.

Tohoku’s smart society business activities are part of multiple goals laid out in the Tohoku Group’s Medium to Long-Term Vision. Tohoku plans to officially establish Tohoku Frontier in April 2021. The headquarters of the company will be located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Tohoku Frontier will leverage next-generation digital technologies and innovations to sell a wide variety of customer-oriented services that are integrated with electricity rate plans. Based on energy management technologies, the services will allow customers to save, generate, and store their energy. For instance, Tohoku Frontier will offer a bundle service to combine an electricity plan with a solar energy/storage battery installation service. The service will be exclusively provided by Tohoku Solar eCharge, which is scheduled to be established in April 2021, and will start business during the second half of FY 2021.

Tohoku Group plans to contribute to the move forward towards a smart and sustainable society by providing a wide range of innovative services that address social issues through Tohoku Frontier.[1] [2] [3]

[1] https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/1219088_2558.html

[2] https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/1219085_2558.html

[3] https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2021/02/25/b1_1219085.pdf

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Launched a Pilot Project for a Parcel Delivery Locker Service in Kyoto, Japan

On October 19, 2020, Kansai Electric Power Transmission & Distribution (Headquarters: Osaka Prefecture) announced that it would launch a pilot project for a parcel delivery locker service in Seika Town, Kyoto. The pilot project was launched in partnership with Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO, Headquarters: Osaka Prefecture); Nihon Network Support (Headquarters: Osaka Prefecture), a KEPCO subsidiary that produces power generation equipment; Kyoto Prefecture; Seika Town; and Toyota Industries (Headquarters: Aichi Prefecture) as well as some major Japanese logistics companies.

The growth of e-commerce in Japan in recent years has led to an increase in parcel delivery volumes, and labor shortages in the logistics sector. The COVID-19 outbreak further accelerated these issues and increased the demand for contactless parcel delivery. KEPCO Transmission & Distribution partnered with other companies to address these challenges through a contactless parcel delivery locker service.  

KEPCO Transmission & Distribution installed parcel delivery lockers alongside its electric poles in residential areas in Seika town. Community members who missed a delivery at home can request for their parcels to be stored at the lockers to pick them up later. KEPCO Transmission & Distribution aims to use this system to lessen the burden on logistic operators by reducing the need for re-delivery and hopes that the service will contribute to sustainability though improving operational efficiency.

The parcel delivery locker services are managed and operated by KEPCO Transmission & Distribution. The lockers were provided and maintained by Toyota Industries. Nihon Network Support assisted in developing the equipment to install the lockers. The delivery services will be operated by Yamato Transport (Headquarters: Tokyo), Japan Post Service (Headquarters: Tokyo), and Seino Transportation (Headquarters: Gifu Prefecture[1]).

The pilot project is being conducted as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Smart Keihanna Project”, an initiative to promote smart city projects in the “Keihanna” region on the border between Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara Prefectures. The pilot project started on October 19, 2020 and will run until January 31, 2021.[2] [3]

[1] https://www.seino.co.jp/seino/company/overall-condition/

[2] https://www.kepco.co.jp/corporate/pr/2020/pdf/1019_1j_01.pdf

[3] https://www.kepco.co.jp/corporate/pr/2020/1019_1j.html

[Japan] Shikoku Electric Power and Norinchukin Bank will Jointly Establish an Agricultural Technology Solutions Company

Shikoku Electric Power (Yonden, Headquarters: Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture) and Norinchukin Bank (Headquarters: Tokyo) announced on September 25, 2020, that they will establish Aitosa (Headquarters: Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture), an agricultural technology solutions company, on November 2, 2020. The total investment in Aitosa is 25 million yen (approximately $237,000).[1] Yonden will own 95% of the shares of the company, and Norinchukin Bank will own the remaining 5% of the company. This marks the second time that Yoden has participated in an agricultural business since its entry into the agricultural sector in 2018. Yoden has also participated in a strawberry production project in Miki Town, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku.

Agriculture is the primary industry of the Shikoku region. However, the region’s agricultural industry has been facing many challenges, such as an aging workforce, a reduction in the total number of workers, and an increase in abandoned farms. Yonden and Norinchukin Bank believe that cutting-edge agriculture technologies like smart agriculture have the potential to address these issues. Smart agriculture technologies include robotic, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) products.

Aitosa aims to develop smart agriculture technologies that will help the region revitalize its agriculture industry by addressing labor shortages. The company will build two green-housing facilities in Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture, and will contribute to keeping and expanding the regional farming area for shishito pepper, which is a major local agricultural commodity. Aitosa will collaborate with Kochi Prefecture's Internet of Plants (IoP) project, a private-public partnership initiative, to develop an efficient cultivation method that utilizes environmental data inside the facilities, along with biological plant data.[2]

[1] ¥ 1 = $ 0.0095 USD. Based on the exchange rate as of October 18, 2020.

[2] https://www.yonden.co.jp/press/2020/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2020/09/25/pr010.pdf

[Japan] Hokuriku Electric Power Accelerates Investment by Entering Overseas Power Business

Hokuriku Electric Power (Rikuden, Headquarters: Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture), released its 2030 Long-Term Vision Plan and Medium-Term Management Plan (2020 version) in April 2020. The 2030 Long-Term Vision sets a goal of investing more than 200 billion yen (approximately $1.9 billion[1]) through Fiscal 2030 as part of its growth strategy. Rikuden identified three strategic areas of growth to accelerate investment: 1) supporting the local community through addressing challenges, 2) creating new services through a fusion of existing assets and new technology, and 3) entering overseas power businesses. [2]

As part of its efforts to invest in overseas energy businesses, on April 21, 2020, Rikuden announced its investment in Japan Energy Capital 1 L.P., which targets overseas renewable energy business in Turkey and Jordan as well as energy technology venture companies in Europe and the U.S. It is Rikuden’s first overseas business investment. [3] On April 30, 2020, Rikuden further announced that it will establish Hokuriku Electric Power Business Investment G.K. in June 2020. The subsidiary will focus on accelerating investments in Rikuden’s strategic areas of growth. According to Rikuden, it will continue to cultivate new business opportunities and make investments to accelerate its growth. [4]

[1] ¥ 1 = $ 0.0094 USD. Based on the exchange rate as of May 8th, 2020.

[2] http://www.rikuden.co.jp/press/attach/19042502.pdf

[3] http://www.rikuden.co.jp/press/attach/20042101.pdf

[4] http://www.rikuden.co.jp/press/attach/20043003.pdf

[Japan] Osaka Gas Singapore and Energy Pro Established OE Solar in Thailand

Osaka Gas Singapore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas, announced on July 3, 2019, that it and Energy Pro Corporation, a solar power company in Thailand, had agreed to jointly establish OE Solar in Thailand. OE Solar will supply the electricity generated from solar energy to commercial and industrial customers in Thailand. OE Solar will install photovoltaic facilities on building roofs or grounds surfaces owned by its customers to produce electricity for a 15-to-20-year supply.

Daigas Group, which owns Osaka Gas, has expressed its intention to explore overseas energy business opportunities in “Going Forward Beyond Borders 2030”, its long-term management vision and medium-term plan. Daigas Group is targeting the Southeast Asian market and intends to increase its investment in the region. In accordance with Daigas Group’s goal to secure at least 1 GW of renewable energy by about 2030, the establishment of OE Solar will be Osaka Gas’s first involvement in a renewable energy generation project in Southeast Asia.

Thailand expects in its Power Development Plan 2018 that renewable energy will account for 20% (excluding hydropower imports) of all power sources in the nation in 2037. This is why renewable energy is attracting increasing attention in Thailand.[1]

[Japan] Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Established a New Company in the Philippines to Expand its Business Opportunities

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) announced on June 24, 2019, that it had established “MHPS (Philippines) Plant Services Corporation (MHPS-PSC)” in the Philippines. Since MHPS already had a local boiler manufacturing factory in the Philippines, the launch of the MHPS-PSC aims to expand the company’s local business opportunities by providing services for thermal power plants.

MHPS has a lot of past experience with receiving orders and supplying equipment for thermal and geothermal generation facilities in the Philippines. There has been increasing local demand for the modernization of power plants and the associated efficiency improvements, due to the increased electricity demand as a result of economic growth. Accordingly, the MHPS established the MHPS-PSC in order to secure future opportunities to expand its business operations.

MHPS-PSC’s local parent company, MHPS-PLH, set up a head office and a boiler factory in Batangas City in southern Luzon, and the new head office of MHPS-PSC was established at a MHPS-PLH’s property. The MHPS-PSC began operating with about 50 employees, exploring business opportunities throughout the entire nation. Meanwhile, MHPS-PLH will assist MHPS-PSC by providing manufacturing and maintenance services from its own boiler factory. The two companies will work together on increasing their market share in Southeast Asia, taking fully advantages of synergistic effects.

[Japan] Tohoku Electric Power and Toshiba ESS Agreed to Conduct Joint Research on Peer-to-Peer Electricity Trading Between Individuals Using Distributed Energy Resources

On April 26, 2019, Tohoku Electric Power and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions (Toshiba ESS) jointly announced that they had agreed to conduct research on peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading between customers who are using distributed energy resources (DER). The study will assess the potential business model for P2P energy trading as well as the impact on electrical distribution systems. Toshiba ESS, a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, was founded in 2017 to develop technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve energy systems and services.[1]

As the use of renewable energy and energy storage expands, it is predicted that in the future customers will be more likely to engage in P2P energy trading systems to trade the excess energy generated from their home. However, the utility’s business model for P2P energy trading is still uncertain. In addition, the impact of the increasing P2P energy trading on electrical power distribution systems is unknown. Tohoku Electric Power and Toshiba ESS began this joint research project in order to better understand and address these issues.

As part of the project, Tohoku Electric Power and Toshiba ESS will test the effectiveness of blockchain technologies, which will be utilized to record energy transactions. The project team will also build simulation models for P2P energy trading to optimize the distribution infrastructure and its operation. The project aims to develop potential business models to prepare for the expansion of P2P energy trading. The research will be carried out until the end of March 2020.[2]

[1] https://www.toshiba-energy.com/en/company/about.htm

[2] https://www.toshiba-energy.com/info/info2019_0426.htm

[Japan] NEDO Initiated the Third Phase of an Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle Demonstration Project

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) recently announced that it had initiated the third phase of an Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle (IGFC) Demonstration Project on April 17, 2019. The third phase of the IGFC Demonstration Project will focus on combining an Oxygen-blown Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) with CO2 capture technology and fuel cells, aiming to verify the system performance. This system will capture CO2 from syngas to produce hydrogen-rich gas to use as fuel. The project is being conducted by NEDO and OSAKI CoolGen Corporation, a joint venture company between Chugoku Electric Power and Electric Power Development Company (J-POWER).

In Japan, coal-fired power generation accounts for approximately 30% of the domestic power generation. However, coal-fired power generates more CO2 than other fossil fuels. NEDO has launched the IGFC Demonstration Project in order to explore opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions from coal generation in FY2018. The project aims to develop a commercial-scale IGFC system (500 MW-class) with approximately 47% Higher Heating Value (HHV) and a CO2 capture rate of 90 percent. The first phase of the project consisted of a demonstration of Oxygen-blown IGCC and the second phase included testing the IGCC with CO2 separation and capture technology. The IGFC Demonstration Project will run until FY2022.[1]

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power Will Provide Power Distribution and Retail Electric Business in New Clark City in the Philippines

Kansai Electric Power announced on April 4, 2019, that it has obtained electric power distribution services in New Clark City in the Philippines. Kansai Electric Power will work with Marubeni[1] (a major integrated trading and investment business conglomerate), Chubu Electric Power, and the Manila Electric Company (MERALC) to provide power distribution service in New Clark City for 25 years.

The Philippines is currently developing New Clark City, an industrial city which used to be a U.S. Air Force Base. The project is operated by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government-owned and controlled development corporation.[2] In order to support the development of New Clark City, the group led by Kansai Electric Power will be responsible for retail electric business activities as well as design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the power distribution system through smart grid technologies. Through its subsidiary KPIC Netherland, Kansai Electric Power also plans to establish a local power distribution company with Marubeni, Chubu Electric Power, MERALCO, and BCDA, and to invest in a 9% stake in the company.

The group is currently preparing for the installation of the power distribution system. The system is scheduled to begin operation at the end of November in 2019, when a biennial multi-sports event, the Southeast Asian Games, will be held. The project is the first time that Kansai Electric Power has joined the power distribution and retail electric business outside of Japan.[3]

[1] https://www.marubeni.com/en/

[2] https://bcda.gov.ph/about-us

[3] https://www.kepco.co.jp/corporate/pr/2019/0404_2j.html

[Japan] Chugoku Electric Power and Shikoku Electric Power with Other Partners Will Acquire a Total of 27% Stake in the Yunlin Offshore Wind Farm in Taiwan

On April 5, 2019, Chugoku Electric Power and Shikoku Electric Power announced that they would participate in the Yunlin Offshore Wind Farm project in Taiwan, through the acquisition of interests from a German-based large renewable energy developer, wpd A.G., in collaboration with other Japanese companies, including Sojitz Corporation and JXTG Nippon Oil and Energy.

The Japanese consortium will acquire a total of a 27% stake in the 640MW Yunlin Offshore Wind Farm project from wpd A.G.[1], which will secure the remaining 73% stake in the company. Sojitz Corporation, a Japanese trading company[2], will have a 9.1% stake in the wind farm. C&C investment, established by Chugoku Electric Power Company, will have a 6.75% stake. JXTG Nippon Oil and Energy[3], a Japanese petroleum company, will also have a 6.75% stake, and Shikoku Electric Power will have a 4.4% stake.

The wind farm is expected to begin operation in December 2021 and will supply power to the Taiwan Electric Power Company for 20 years at a fixed price. It is the first time for Chugoku Electric Power and Shikoku Electric Power to join the oversees offshore wind power business. Chugoku Electric Power and Shikoku Electric Power plan to continue to participate in new overseas projects and will work to improve their profitability.[4]

[1] http://www.wpd.de/en/wpd/profile/

[2] https://www.sojitz.com/en/corporate/profile/index.php

[3] https://www.noe.jxtg-group.co.jp/english/

[4] https://www.yonden.co.jp/press/2019/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2019/04/05/pr004.pdf

[Japan] Kyushu Electric Power Company and Exergy Power System Will Jointly Operate a Power Management Project in Ireland

On March 25, 2019, Kyushu Electric Power Company (also known as Kyuden) announced that it has partnered with Exergy Power System to jointly operate a power supply and demand management project in Ireland starting from the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The project will utilize a rechargeable battery system developed by Exergy Power System, a start-ups from the University of Tokyo that is developing next-generation hydrogen cells for energy storage.[1] Kyushu Electronic Power has been seeking to collaborate with start-ups to develop and explore new business opportunities since it initiated the “Kyuden i-Project” in fiscal year 2017, which focuses on pursuing innovation through concept creation, concept commercialization or deployment as service.[2] The collaboration with Exergy Power System is part of the Kyuden i-Project.[3]

[1] https://www.ut-ec.co.jp/portfolio/exergy

[2] http://www.kyuden.co.jp/var/rev0/0149/3839/o0wpb4su_p34-37.pdf

[3] http://www.kyuden.co.jp/press_h190325-1.html

[Japan] Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Jointly Offer Medium-Capacity Steam Turbines for Industrial Thermal Power Plants

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions (Toshiba ESS) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Kawasaki) announced on March 28, 2019, that they have reached a collaboration agreement to offer 100-200MW, medium-capacity steam turbines for industrial thermal power plants worldwide, starting immediately.

Given the increasing need for small to medium-capacity steam turbines to be cost-effective and to be widely used for different industries and utility applications in the global market, the design of small to medium-sized steam turbines needs to enhance their efficiency and flexibility by improving steam conditions and adopting reheat cycles. Accordingly, Toshiba ESS and Kawasaki has been conducting a joint research project in this area by leveraging Toshiba’s material and reliability technologies acquired through manufacturing steam turbines for thermal power plants, as well as Kawasaki’s compact, high-speed turbine and packaging technologies that have been developed through producing steam turbines for marine and industrial-use power generation. Toshiba ESS offers intermediate and low-pressure (ILP) turbines, and Kawasaki provides high-pressure (HP) turbine and reduction gear. The two companies will utilize both supply chains to produce medium-sized steam turbines and to expand their sales network in global markets.[1]

[1]

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power and Caulis’ Demonstration Project to Detect Unauthorized Bank Account was Approved under the Regulatory Sandbox Scheme

On March 6, 2019, the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan, approved a demonstration project to detect unauthorized activities on opening bank accounts through the internet, by using financial and electricity data under the Act of Special Measures for Productivity Improvement. The demonstration project is being developed by Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) and Caulis, a Japanese cyber security solutions company[1]. The project will examine the viability of a new technology which is designed to effectively detect unauthorized activities on opening bank accounts at the Seven Bank[2] by combining financial information with electricity data collected from KEPCO’s electric facilities.

The objective of the project is to explore the cooperation between electricity companies and IT security providers in order to address social security problems. The results of the project will also shape the framework and regulations that promote the adoption of innovative technologies in businesses. The Act of Special Measures for Productivity Improvement entered into force on June 6, 2018. Under the Act, the Scheme for Demonstration of New Technologies, namely the Regulatory Sandbox Scheme, will encourage companies to adopt new technologies and innovative business models.[3]

[1] https://caulis.jp/en/#contact

[2] https://www.sevenbank.co.jp/corp/

[3] https://www.kepco.co.jp/souhaiden/pr/2019/0306_1j.html

[Japan] Kyushu Electric Power and Softbank Signed a Business Alliance Agreement for Joint Product Development

Kyushu Electric Power and Softbank[1], a Japanese mobile service company, signed a business alliance agreement on joint product and service development on March 12, 2019. The first joint services, ‘Home Discount Kyushu Electric Power Electric Set,’ a 100-yen monthly discount service, will begin to be offered on April 12, 2019, at both Softbank’s and Y Mobile’s mobile phone retail stores within the Kyushu Electric Power service area. This discount service will be available for existing customers who currently subscribe on Kyushu Electric Power’s rate plans and are using Softbank and Y Mobile’s mobile services and fixed communication services. It is also targeted to these mobile providers’ users who have already subscribed or will subscribe to ‘Kirei (beautiful) Life Plus, a web-portal service which enables consumers to access their energy and gas consumption/rate plan. The two companies plan to continue to work together to develop and provide valuable services for customers.[2]

[1] https://www.softbank.jp/en/

[2] http://www.kyuden.co.jp/press_h190312b-1.html

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power Company’s Venture Capital Arm Invested in Genome Editing Company EditForce

K4 Ventures, a corporate venture capital subsidiary of Kansai Electric Power Company, announced on March 1, 2019, that it has invested in EditForce, a genome editing company, by the issuance of new shares through third-party allocation. EditForce is a venture company with a unique DNA/RNA editing technology.[1] EditForce has been focusing on pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein platform technology, designed for the editing of not only DNA but also RNA. PPR technology is expected to be used in a wide range of fields, including medicine, agriculture, and chemistry. The firm’s investors include the University of Tokyo Edge Capital, QB Capital, and KISCO (an advanced materials maker).

K4 Ventures is investing new technologies development and deployment in areas like energy storage, mobility, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IOT), big data, and robotics, as part of the Kansai Electric Power Group’s mid-term business plan to explore new business opportunities.[2]

[1] https://www.editforce.jp/company_info_top/about/

[2] https://www.kepco.co.jp/corporate/pr/2019/0301_4j.html

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power Acquired 20% of the equity of the construction of St. Joseph Energy Center in the U.S.

Kansai Electric Power announced on December 11, 2018, that KPIC USA, its wholly owned subsidiary, reached an agreement with Ares EIF Management to acquire 20% of the equity capital of the second-phase construction of St. Joseph Energy Center (SJEC) in the U.S. The deal will be the fourth power investment by Kansai Electric Power in the U.S. market and its first investment in the regulated electricity market.

The SJEC, located in Indiana State, is a proposed gas-fired combined-cycle power plant with a total output of approximately 710MW. Once completed, it will supply electricity to the MISO market. It is expected that SJEC’s construction will start in 2020 and that the SJEC will initiate commercial operations in 2023.

By leveraging its technology and expertise developed in the Japanese market, Kansai Electric Power has been seeking to expand its business overseas, particularly in the North American electricity market.

[Japan] Tokyo Gas Initiated its First Private Natural Gas Distribution Business in Thailand

On December 7, 2018, Tokyo Gas announced that Tokyo Gas Asia, its wholly owned subsidiary, had initiated a natural gas distribution business in the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 in Thailand on December 1, 2018. It is the first time that Tokyo Gas has opened a private natural gas distribution business for industrial users in Thailand.

The Industrial Estate is a special economic zone that was established by the Thai government to facilitate investment and is located in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

The business will be operated by the Gulf WHA MT Natural Gas Distribution Company, which has been invested in by the Gulf Energy Development Public Company, WHA Utilities and Power Public Company, and MITG, a joint venture between Tokyo Gas Asia and Mitsui & Co.

Tokyo Gas is seeking to expand its business in South East Asia and North America by leveraging its experience with natural gas distribution in Japan and its knowledge of the LNG value chain.

[Japan] TEPCO Power Grid Invested in a Vietnamese Power Distribution and Retail Company, Deep C Green Energy

On November 29, 2018, TEPCO Power Grid (TEPCO PG) announced that it and Infra Asia Investment (IAI), a Hong Kong company, reached an agreement for TEPCO to acquire 50% of the ordinary shares of Deep C Green Energy (DCGE HK). Deep C Green Energy is IAI’s subsidiary company, and operates power distribution and retail services in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. The two sides held a ceremony to confirm the agreement at the Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo, Japan.

It is the first time that TEPCO PG has invested in power distribution projects overseas, as the company is starting to expand its business globally, leveraging Japan’s cutting-edge technology and experience. IAI and TEPCO PG will work together to advance Deep C Green Energy’s business. TEPCO PG will be mainly responsible for facility construction and technical inspection, and IAI will be in charge of the facility’s operations and contract-related matters.

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power Initiated a Demonstration Test of a Low Power Wide Area Wireless Child Safety Service in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture

On October 1, 2018, Kansai Electric Power announced a partnership with K-Opticom, Omachi City of Nagano Prefecture, and the Omachi City Board of Education to launch a demonstration test of a child safety service, which will use a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) wireless network to monitor the location of children in Omachi city, Nagano prefecture. To reduce the costs of the service, the system is built on LPWA wireless technology with long-range (LoRa) communication technology, which enables long-range communication using low electricity consumption. The system will be installed at base stations serving other services to further reduce the costs.

The service will notify guardians when children enter or exit from the designated geographic area, in order to ensure the safety of children during their school commute. In order to protect the children’s privacy, the service will identify their location based on fixed areas, rather than his or her exact location. The test will evaluate the user experiences, particularly guardians’ experiences using the service by smartphone, and will identify technical issues.[1]

Kansai Electric Power hopes to strengthen its relationship with local communities through this new initiative.

[1] http://www.kepco.co.jp/corporate/pr/2018/1001_1j.html

[Japan] Shikoku Electric Power and SBI Insurance Will Start to Offer a Free Cancer Insurance Plan for New Customers, Joining the Residential Electricity Plan

On September 28, 2018, Shikoku Electric Power announced a partnership with SBI Insurance to offer the Shikoku Electric Power Cancer Insurance Plan. The plan will launch on October 22, 2018, and it will be offered through Denki Ins-Web[1], a website operated by SBI Insurance that assists customers with comparing the pricing of different electricity plans. The plan will be free for Shikoku Electric Power’s newly registered residential electricity customers in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Customers that join the insurance plan who are diagnosed with cancer will receive 50,000 JPY (approximately 450 USD). The insurance service is provided by SBI Insurance, and Shikoku Electric Power will cover the insurance premium.

Shikoku Electric Power’s service area covers Japan’s Shikoku region, which consists of four prefectures in the southern part of Japan, namely Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima. Since Japan has fully liberalized its electricity retail market, Shikoku Electric Power has been seeking to expand its business in the Tokyo metropolitan area by offering competitive services in new markets. SBI Insurance is focusing on providing products and services that meet diverse market needs in order to strengthen their sales channels other than direct sales. Shikoku Electric Power and SBI Insurance are working together to provide new services that combine their strengths in electricity retail service and insurance products to improve their service offerings.[2]

[1] https://denki.insweb.co.jp/

[2] http://www.yonden.co.jp/press/re1809/data/pr016.pdf