Smart grids employ IT technology to efficiently control and adapt different power sources for use in next-generation power grids and technologies. This means enabling the combination of renewable power sources, such as solar and wind, with power from sources used up to now, such as fossil fuels and nuclear, as well as with the surplus power generated through home solar power systems.
Large-scale investment in smart grid-related business began with the Green New Deal launched by the US government in 2008. There is a growing trend for large-scale projects worldwide, such as the massive DESERTEC solar power project for sending power from the Sahara to Europe, as well as major power grid investment in China conducted by the State Grid Corporation of China.
The Furukawa Electric Group brings together a wide variety of smart grid technologies, such as power transmission, superconductivity, data transmission, and power storage, which we are developing in accordance with society's needs so as to bring about a low-carbon society.
Newly-Established Smart Grid Business Development Department
The Furukawa Electric Group offers a wide variety of technologies useful in building smart grids, such as power transmission, superconductivity, data transmission, power storage, thermal management, sensor, power electronics, EV charging station, and other technologies. The various Furukawa Electric companies and laboratories, as well as our affiliates such as Asahi Electric, Inoue Manufacturing,Furukawa Electric Industrial Cable, Furukawa Battery, Furukawa Power Components, and VISCAS Corporation, are engaged in developing and marketing smart grid-related equipment.
Nonetheless, in the past there was no structure for integrating and fusing the technologies dispersed among the divisions of Furukawa Electric and our affiliates. This made it impossible to fully utilize the technologies we had worked so hard to develop. Therefore, we established the Smart Grid Business Development Department, which answers directly to the President, so as to integrate the efforts of each Furukawa Electric division and our affiliates and fully exploit the potential of the Group. Henceforth, the Smart Grid Business Development Department will be at the center of our efforts to bring together our Group's technologies so as to offer comprehensive solutions and realize a low-carbon society.
Smart Grid Business Development Structure
Next-Generation Power Supply System
Smart Grid Business Development Department
Kazunori Nakamura Corporate Senior Vice
President & Chief
Technology Officer
When considering smart grids it is necessary to remain conscious of both the “high” and “low” perspectives. The “high” perspective means taking the point of view of humanity and the planet. I view “smart grids” as the key phrase for altering the relationship between humanity and the energy it consumes. When we consider the issues and measures for dealing with them that have arisen over mankind's history of energy acquisition, we can forecast future trends.
On the other hand, the “low” perspective means matching actual needs with our activities, so as to unearth issues that won't be found by taking the long or bird's-eye view. These issues can be matched up with our Group's business by taking a flexible approach to them. I believe we should create a strategy that considers both the “current issues” and the “forecast for the future” that we discover.
Power & System Laboratories, R&D Division
Yusei Shirasaka General Manager,
Power & System
Laboratories,
R&D Division
The PS Labs (Power & System Laboratories) were established in 2010, and are the newest labs at Furukawa Electric. We engage in the following at the PS Labs: 1. Offer solutions using world-leading technologies such as superconductivity and storage systems; 2. “Visualize” smart grids and smart cities using fiber optic networks; 3. Contribute to realizing a low-carbon society by developing various kinds of cables and parts corresponding to resource conservation and new kinds of energy. Smart grids match up with the geopolitical environment, and are being developed in a variety of forms geared toward particular countries and regions, such as wind power, geothermal, photovoltaic, and solar heat. At the PS Labs we work every day to unearth unique technologies, taking a global perspective in offering the world systems that meet the particular needs of each country and region.