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4.2.2 Enhance Efficiency with an Energy Management System
In spring of 2016, full liberalization of electricity retailing began in Japan. In order
to switch electric power companies, it is necessary to introduce a smart meter
equipped with a communication function, and exchange of conventional electric
power meters with the smart meter has been progressing. Since the Ministry of
Economy, Trade, and Industry has launched a policy to introduce this meter to all
households in the 2020s, its uptake will continue to spread in the future.
The smart meter measures the amount of electricity used every 30 min and can
transmit data using the communication function. Electric power companies will not
only need to conduct meter reading work, but also utilize big data to develop diversified fee structures and adjust supply and demand by pricing.
The advantage for the customer is to be able to view energy consumption trends
in real time. Information on smart meters can be linked with the Home Energy
Management System (HEMS). The HEMS is a mechanism to optimize energy consumption by connecting all equipment related to electricity in the home such as
lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, photovoltaic power generation systems, household fuel cells, water heaters, and electric cars. By visualizing this information, customers will be able to view whether their electricity consumption is high
compared with other households or whether the amount of consumption at this time
is larger than expected. As a result, it is expected that the energy conservation awareness will increase in each household. This information is also useful when the customer selects a price plan.
The HEMS also has a great feature in that it can be used to control the connected
equipment. It is possible to optimize the whole by balancing the lighting and air
conditioning so that a comfortable environment can be maintained or by switching
the household electric appliances that consume a large amount of electric power to
eco operation according to the remaining amount of power. It is also possible to
operate “EcoCute” with solar power to acquire hot water and electricity at the same
time, as well as to manage energy consumption and conserve energy.
Similar to HEMS, there are BEMS (Building Energy Management System) for
buildings and FEMS (Factory Energy Management System) for factories as systems
that optimize energy use in the system. Furthermore, CEMS (Cluster/Community
Energy Management System) can also be established in areas where HEMS, BEMS,
and FEMS are gathered.
There are several problems to overcome to make these systems popular. Among
these, the biggest problem is price.
In a project that was carried out by Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture upon the
city’s receiving designation from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry as
a Next-Generation Energy and Social System Demonstration Area, remarkable
results have emerged with regard to energy self-sufficiency.
As a result of the distribution of smart houses with energy creation (3.6 kW solar
power generation), energy saving, equipment for energy storage equipment (including EV) and control by HEMS in the residential area of the city, energy consump4 Technology to Support Low-Carbon Society (Utilizing Energy)
4.2.2 Enhance Efficiency with an Energy Management System
In spring of 2016, full liberalization of electricity retailing began in Japan. In order
to switch electric power companies, it is necessary to introduce a smart meter
equipped with a communication function, and exchange of conventional electric
power meters with the smart meter has been progressing. Since the Ministry of
Economy, Trade, and Industry has launched a policy to introduce this meter to all
households in the 2020s, its uptake will continue to spread in the future.
The smart meter measures the amount of electricity used every 30 min and can
transmit data using the communication function. Electric power companies will not
only need to conduct meter reading work, but also utilize big data to develop diversified fee structures and adjust supply and demand by pricing.
The advantage for the customer is to be able to view energy consumption trends
in real time. Information on smart meters can be linked with the Home Energy
Management System (HEMS). The HEMS is a mechanism to optimize energy consumption by connecting all equipment related to electricity in the home such as
lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, photovoltaic power generation systems, household fuel cells, water heaters, and electric cars. By visualizing this information, customers will be able to view whether their electricity consumption is high
compared with other households or whether the amount of consumption at this time
is larger than expected. As a result, it is expected that the energy conservation awareness will increase in each household. This information is also useful when the customer selects a price plan.
The HEMS also has a great feature in that it can be used to control the connected
equipment. It is possible to optimize the whole by balancing the lighting and air
conditioning so that a comfortable environment can be maintained or by switching
the household electric appliances that consume a large amount of electric power to
eco operation according to the remaining amount of power. It is also possible to
operate “EcoCute” with solar power to acquire hot water and electricity at the same
time, as well as to manage energy consumption and conserve energy.
Similar to HEMS, there are BEMS (Building Energy Management System) for
buildings and FEMS (Factory Energy Management System) for factories as systems
that optimize energy use in the system. Furthermore, CEMS (Cluster/Community
Energy Management System) can also be established in areas where HEMS, BEMS,
and FEMS are gathered.
There are several problems to overcome to make these systems popular. Among
these, the biggest problem is price.
In a project that was carried out by Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture upon the
city’s receiving designation from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry as
a Next-Generation Energy and Social System Demonstration Area, remarkable
results have emerged with regard to energy self-sufficiency.
As a result of the distribution of smart houses with energy creation (3.6 kW solar
power generation), energy saving, equipment for energy storage equipment (including EV) and control by HEMS in the residential area of the city, energy consump4 Technology to Support Low-Carbon Society (Utilizing Energy)