Makers rush to develop 'smart community' technology
News On Japan via Yomiuri -- Aug 14
The nation's heavy electric machinery makers are rushing to develop technologies essential to creating "smart communities," which maximize the efficiency of energy consumption through information technology.
A growing number of solar panels are being installed across the country. However, the nation still lacks a system to achieve an ideal, stable balance between electricity supply and demand while trying to rely more on weather-dependent solar power generation.
A smart community uses solar power generators and storage cells as well as smart meters that allow people to monitor electricity use within the community from outside.
By transferring power from one place to another to cover supply shortfalls, and curbing power consumption, a smart community aims at maximizing power use efficiency.
In July, Hitachi, Ltd. began an experiment of creating a smart community.
Source: Yomiuri
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