Accenture has completed the deployment of a demand response customer billing system for the Yokohama Smart City Project (YSCP), the largest smart city pilot in Japan.
The home energy management system is designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce peak demand for electricity.
Using advanced analytics capabilities, the system will use weather forecasts and residents’ energy usage data to analyse and predict times of high demand. It also will provide incentives for residents to reduce their electricity usage.
Field testing began last month in 1,900 homes in the city of Yokohama, the results of which will help YSCP determine residents’ habits, as well as their needs and preferences when it comes to energy use and conservation.
Accenture developed and built the billing system based on SAP Energy Data Management application and SAP Customer Relationship Management and Billing for Utilities, and will be responsible for operating the system until March 2015.
The system will also support building energy management systems, electric vehicles (EVs) and vehicle charging stations within the areas served by the YSCP.
A Community Energy Management System (CEMS) will combine the data that is generated with photovoltaic (PV) electricity sales data every 30 minutes.
“All of that information will be transmitted to the billing system on a daily basis, along with the unit cost of electricity, in order to calculate electricity bills based on the demand response tariff plan of each end user,” Accenture stated in a press release.
The billing results, along with electricity usage information, will be made available to residents online daily and will be accessible via tablet and mobile devices.
According to Accenture, the information will help Yokohama residents adjust their energy consumption in line with their needs, and will allow YSCP to more effectively manage the city’s supply and demand of electricity.
A successful field test and the deployment of the energy management system in Yokohama is expected to open the door for the rest of the country to initiate energy efficiency programs, further demonstrating Japan’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
