[Japan] Chubu Electric Power, Keio University, and Hitachi Validated a Method to Detect Cyberattacks by Analyzing Darknet Communications

On June 18, 2019, Chubu Electric Power, Keio University, and Hitachi announced that they have validated a method to detect the evidence of difficult-to-identify cyberattacks by analyzing Darknet communications.[1] These efforts will contribute to preventing the potential damage caused by cyberattacks.

While digitalization has enhanced convenience in everyday life, it also increases the risks of cyberattacks. It is urgent for society to address cyber security challenges and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure. Accordingly, Keio University, Chubu Electric Power, and Hitachi have been studying Darknet communications since April 2017. After analyzing a vast number of Darknet communications, approximately 20 million cases per day, the study confirmed that the sign of cyberattacks could be identified by tracking and using correlation analysis on the communications made by multiple organizations.

[1] The darknet communications are online hidden communications that are designed specifically for anonymity.

[Japan] Hokkaido Electric Power has Partnered with INDETAIL To Conduct Blockchain Electric Vehicle Platform Research

Hokkaido Electric Power and a Japanese blockchain company, INDETAIL[1], announced on June 6, 2019, that they have jointly conducted research on the construction of electric vehicle (EV) platforms.

With the widespread use of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs), the research project aims to facilitate the development of a platform for the management of EV charging stations by utilizing blockchain technology and Internet of Things (IoT). These advanced technologies will provide EV charging station owners and users with value-added services to improve their convenience. Through the internet, the owners will be able to perform automatic payment procedures, check the charging status of each EV charging station, and set up flexible pricing; while users can check the location/availability of the EV stations and make reservations for EV charging stations through their smartphones.

In 2019, the project will design and simulate the system for the platform. The demonstration project will be carried out after 2020. Hokkaido Electric Power will analyze the current status of EV stations in Hokkaido and will identify the requirements for building an EV platform. Meanwhile, INDETAIL will provide consulting on the use of blockchain technology. Hokkaido Electric Power and INDETAIL plan to jointly file a patent application in June 2019.[2]

[1] https://www.indetail.co.jp/company/

[2] https://www.hepco.co.jp/info/2019/1240521_1803.html

[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] 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

[USA] “Local Leaders Celebrate Rhode Island’s First Net Zero Energy Ready Residential Development”

[National Grid, 1 April 2019]

Rhode Island has begun the construction of its first Net Zero Energy residential development. This development will be built by h.a. Fisher Homes and the development is expected to be completely energy efficient so that all (or most) energy consumed can be provided by local renewable energy systems. The development will be located in Warwick, Rhode Island- and the first homes will be finished by the fall of this year. There will be a total of 9 single-level condominiums involved in the project. It is interesting to note that Rhode Island is ranked 3rd nationally for its energy efficiency successes. Brian Schuster, Director of Customer and Community Management for National Grid Rhode Island said of the project, ““The Residential and Commercial Energy Efficiency programs we manage are reaching thousands of customers ever year to help to reduce energy costs and consumption. Just as importantly, these programs are helping to meet Rhode Island’s clean energy goals and the vision we have for the Northeast 80×50 Pathway.”

[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] Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Will Launch an Integrated Control Service Using Storage Batteries with IoT Technology

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced on December 17, 2018, that it will launch a service that uses optimal control storage batteries with IoT for Virtual Power Plant (VPP), starting from January 1, 2019. The service was commissioned by TEPCO Energy Partner, an electricity retailer company operating under the TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) brand throughout mainland Japan.

Toshiba ESS will install 15kWh storage batteries at 11 elementary schools in Yokohama City and will control them and monitor their efficiency in order to manage demand response for the electric grid, while making sure there is sufficient electricity left to respond to any emergency situations. The program will use Toshiba’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery which is designed for high safety and long battery life.

Toshiba ESS, Yokohama City, and TEPCO EP have worked together since 2016 on this project, including designing the control technology for the storage batteries and conducting the VPP demonstration test.

Toshiba ESS aims to become a Cyber Physical System (CPS) technology company in the energy industry and plans to develop various distributed energy resources for the supply and demand balancing market in Japan, which is expected to open in 2021.

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power and K-Opticom Initiated a Smart City Project to Visualize People Flow in Kobe city, Hyōgo Prefecture

On December 18, 2018, Kansai Electric Power and K-Opticom, a telecommunications company under Kansai Electric Power, announced that they launched a project for the Visualization of People Flow in Sannomiya area, Kobe city in Hyōgo Prefecture. The project will use data collected from infrared sensors to visualize and map the movement of people throughout the city in real time.

In this project, data on people’s movement will be collected and measured with IoT, using infrared sensors installed at approximately 150 places in the area. The project adopts K-Opticom’s LPWA wireless technology (LoRa system), which can cover a wide area with low power consumption. Two base stations for the LPWA system will be installed . Kobe University will then conduct a people flow analysis using the collected data.

This is the largest-scale people flow analysis project in Japan to date in terms of covered geographic areas. It will be implemented from December 18, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The collected data is expected to be used for improving the safety and security of the city, such as detecting lost children and people in bad physical condition.

[Japan] Kansai Electric Power, Eliiy Power, and Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company Will Test Frequency Control Technology Using Battery Storage for Virtual Power Plant Applications

Kansai Electric Power, Eliiy Power, and Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company announced on December 17, 2018 that they will launch a demonstration project to test frequency control technology using battery storage for Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Demonstration applications.

The project will test a remote control system (called K-LIBRA) that was jointly developed by Kansai Electric Power and NEC, which can remotely control batteries. The tests will measure the response time and control accuracy of the system, in order to evaluate the batteries’ response performance when used to manage short-term load fluctuations. Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company’s industrial storage battery and Eliiy Power’s household battery will be used for this project. The project will be carried out from January 7 - 31, 2019.

This demonstration project will be the first Japanese project to examine a technology solution capable of remote controlling approximately 10,000 units of batteries simultaneously in seconds.

The VPP project was funded by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy’s FY2018 Demonstration Project on Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Utilizing Demand Side Energy Resources. Kansai Electric Power will submit the results of the demonstration project to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy by the end of FY 2018.

[Japan] Tokyo Electric Power Company and NTT Data Jointly Initiated a Grid Databank Limited Liability Partnership

On November 7, 2018, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and NTT DATA jointly announced that they had reached an agreement on a Grid Databank Limited Liability Partnership. The two firms agreed to invest a total of 300 million yen and co-establish a data laboratory in Tokyo, aiming to address social issues as well as producing value-added services by utilizing data. The partnership will test a wide variety of use cases and validate the effectiveness of solutions, integrating utility data with other types of data and analyzing them. For instance, a data set which combines smart meter data with mapping data can be used to calculate the shortest evacuation route for areas that are close to flooded rivers. Another possible use case is that businesses developing a retail store opening plan can use the real-time data collected by TEPCO as a reference.

In the project, TEPCO will provide grid-related data, while NTT DATA will conduct the data analysis. The project partners are expected to invite more participants, including end-users, start-up companies, and service providers. Currently, about 20 companies and local public organizations will join the use case examination.

[USA] “National Grid Expands Partnership with AutoGrid in Series D Investment”

[AutoGrid, 14 November 2018]

On November 14, National Grid Partners and AutoGrid, a data analytics startup, announced their latest partnership and direct investment agreement to develop “advanced applications of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven optimization, enabling predictive control of grid-edge assets.” This partnership is based off of AutoGrid’s $32 million Series D investment round. Lisa Lambert, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at National Grid and the Senior Vice President of National Grid Partners, stated “They have one of the best utility-focused AI teams in Silicon Valley, and we believe there is a tremendous market opportunity for them to grow rapidly over the next few years. We are also actively engaging AutoGrid to help meet our strategic objectives in the grid analytics category." AutoGrid is one of our first direct investments.  As a side note, this is not the only partnership National Grid has with AutoGrid; the two have a gas demand-response pilot in New York.

[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

[Japan] Osaka Gas Offered a New Electricity Rate Menu “Style Plan” to Meet Customer’s Lifestyle and Individual Needs

Osaka Gas announced on August 1, 2018, that it has started offering a new electricity rate menu “style plan” that corresponds to its customers’ lifestyle and individual needs. As its first step, Osaka Gas began its “Style Plan P” service for Amazon Prime members. Osaka Gas plans to continue to diversify its rate plans by providing different types of electricity rate menus in addition to its existing base rate plan.

Osaka Gas customers that subscribe to the "Style Plan P" service can save money regardless of their electricity usage compared with the total cost of paying for both Amazon Prime’s annual fee and Kansai Electric Power Company's metered electricity “Plan A.” Based on Osaka Gas’s model, the average residential customer will save about 5,400 yen per year.

Furthermore, in April 2018 Osaka Gas began to offer some additional features to its customers in collaboration with Amazon Alexa. Customers can use Alexa’s voice services to check their gas and electricity usage amounts and fees, and can control their gas equipment through the Amazon Echo smart speaker.

[Japan] Japanese Utility and Automobile Companies Jointly Start Testing V2G Technology

On May 31, 2018, Kyushu Electric Power, the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Nissan Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors, and Mitsubishi Electric jointly started a demonstration project for V2G (Vehicle to Grid) technology, with the aim of utilizing EVs to adjust the electricity supply and demand. The project will assess the feasibility of charging EVs and discharging the stored electricity to electricity grids.

The project is being conducted as part of METI’s FY2018 Demonstration Project on Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Utilizing Demand Side Energy Resource, which is further described in the JEPIC digest titled “Toyota Tsusho and Chubu Electric Power Jointly Launched the V2G Aggregator Project in Toyota City, Japan”.