Technology giants announce new smart grid alliance


27 Sep 2010

Hitachi and Panasonic have announced an alliance that will see the companies team up to work on smart grid technologies in an effort to provide less expensive electricity to homes and businesses.

Hoping to achieve a balance between “demand” and “supply” in Japan, Hitachi has experience in community energy management systems (CEMS), technology for connecting power plants and alternative energy sources with communities, while Panasonic has been honing its products for home energy management systems (HEMS).

Smart grid development

The announcement follows news that the State Grid of China will invest 300billion yuan (€33,000,000,000) over the next decade into their smart grid development (according to Capital Vue). Smart grids, which deliver electricity via digital technology and two-way communications to control appliances at consumers’ homes to save energy, were also discussed at the Inaugural GridWise Global Forum in Washington, DC, US, which brought together industry and public officials last week.