GE, Fuji Electric Joint Venture to Provide Smart Grid Technology in Japan

GE and Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. has announced a joint venture to design, build, market and service a new generation of electric meters. The joint venture was finalized February 1, 2011. The company has been named GE Fuji Meter Co., Ltd.

These electric meters will be supporting Japan’s advancement towards a smart grid infrastructure. The newly formed joint venture will build upon GE’s proven smart meter technology, as well as, Fuji Electric’s Japan-based manufacturing and sales network, to provide quality, cost-effective meters.

Smart grid advances include easier integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, as well as, efficiency and reliability gains. With these advances, Japan will be better equipped to use more zero-emission energy and shrink its carbon footprint.

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Toyota To Release a Smart Energy Management System in 2012

In an effort to enable its customer base to better control its energy consumption, Toyota recently announced that it is developing a smart center system that links homes, vehicles and electric power companies. The Japanese automaker will launch the smart grid initiative in 2012 when it rolls out its new line of plug-in hybrids.

The all-in-one energy management system will allow customers to use their television or mobile phone to monitor the amount of energy that is consumed by their home. Users can also check how much their hybrid vehicle has charged and how much power has been stored at their house.

Authorities with the auto giant expect the system will be able to reduce home energy consumption by as much as 75 percent, according to the Daily Tech. Unfortunately for consumers, Toyota will only launch the system in Japan for the time being, and consumers must own a brand-new plug-in Toyota to incorporate the system into their home.

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U.S. - Japan Clean Tech Symposium 2010

Parks Associates is supporting the U.S.-Japan Clean Tech Symposium 2010: Why Being in Japan and Partnering with Japanese Companies are Essential for Clean Tech on February 18th in San Francisco.

This event will highlight clean tech opportunities and encourage collaboration between U.S. and Japanese companies through discussion and sharing of strategies and plans (e.g., investment in U.S. and Japan; innovation opportunities for U.S. and Japanese companies; entry into third-country markets by U.S. and Japan collaboration).

For more information, click here to see event brochure.