'Smart Grid/Community' Special

Japan aims to spread idea of efficient living to the world

By MINORU MATSUTANI

The term "smart grid" began being talked about frequently after U.S. President Barack Obama mentioned it in his so-called Green New Deal policy in 2009.

What is a smart grid and why is it important not only in Japan?

By SHIGEYUKI KOIDE

Power grids connect the electric power plants with houses, offices and other social infrastructures. The term "smart grid" would refer to such a system that can help conserve energy.

A view into life in a smart city, as seen at Kashiwanoha Campus City

By CHIHO IUCHI

With the increasing attention to the "smart city" concept, which takes advantages of information technology-controlled power grids and renewable energy, businesses and governments are launching various field operation test projects at home and abroad. While the technological aspects, business models and export potential have been much talked about, the idea of a smart city is still unrealistic for most people. What is it truly like to be a resident living in such a community that employs cutting-edge systems and technologies?

Electric vehicles promote sustainability

By MASARU YARIME

Sustainability concerns long-term constraints on various types of resources, including energy as one of the most critical issues at the global level.

Yokohama shares growth experience with the world

By MINORU MATSUTANI

Despite the name, the Yokohama City government's Y-PORT project is not about a port, though it might be easily assumed since Yokohama is one of Japan's largest ports and well-known for having prospered as an international trade center since the 19th century.

Japan hopes to spread 'smart city' idea through demonstration areas

By MINORU MATSUTANI

Promoting the concept of a smart community, the idea of which is to efficiently use energy within a locale, is something Japan has thought of for quite some time as the country has always relied heavily on imports of resources such as oil for its energy needs.

NEDO collaborates on global projects

Construction at a demonstration site in Los Alamos, New Mexico, for the Japan-U.S. Collaborative Smart Grid Project, which is being carried out jointly by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the New Mexico state government and other participants, has been completed and full-scale operation has started. The project in New Mexico is NEDO's first overseas smart community project, and its demonstration site in Albuquerque is already in operation.

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