Toshiba to Supply Smart Meter Communications to 27M Japanese Homes

The Tokyo-based Toshiba (News - Alert) Group is set to break its all-time record of 10 million (actually 9.5 million to date) newly installed smart meter endpoints — deployed on behalf of California's largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, in its service area in the northern and central parts of the state.

Now, Toshiba has been selected via public tender by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to deliver its communication system for smart meters, as 27 million Japanese homes receive upgrades over the course of the next decade.

TEPCO’s smart meter platform will be the world’s largest communication system. Toshiba will work as a prime contractor and system integrator of the communication system and supply the Head End System (HES) — a management system for smart meter data communications, as well as concentrators. In building the system, the company will incorporate global standards together with the world’s leading smart meter technology of Zug, Switzerland-based Landis+Gyr AG, a subsidiary of Toshiba.

Toshiba also will work closely together on the initiative with the Tokyo-based telecommunications company, NTT Group, and with IT provider NEC (News - Alert) Corporation, also based in Tokyo.

In a formal statement, Toshiba noted that it “plans to contribute in establishing the world’s largest smart grid system. Together with TEPCO, Toshiba also aims to promote the introduction of integrated smart grid system around the world based on technologies and experiences as a system integrator in this project.”

In 2011, Toshiba acquired Landis+Gyr, a world leading smart meter supplier which has a supply list of more than 30 million units in over 30 countries. Bloomington, Minnesota-based Ecologic Analytics, a supplier of software for meter data management (MDM) System also joined Toshiba Group as a wholly owned subsidiary of Landis+ Gyr in 2012. Toshiba, Landis+Gyr and Ecologic Analytics will take full advantage of the strength from global experience and cooperation and push forward its global smart grid business.

In addition, Toshiba also established Grid Solutions Division in April 2013 to promote smart grid solutions business including management of smart grid, smart meter and communication network. Toshiba will continue to accelerate its smart grid business by integrating its technical expertise and advanced technology.