OREANDA-NEWS. Fujitsu Research Institute announced that it was recently commissioned by Japan's Ministry of the Environment for a 2013 pilot project of demand-side carbon reduction support systems that match household lifestyles. Putting the findings of this project to use, Fujitsu Research Institute, together with Fujitsu Limited, is starting development of a Home Energy Management System (HEMS).

This project is being conducted using ordinary PCs as opposed to purpose-built equipment for HEMS. This technology will use My Cloud, Fujitsu's consumer-oriented cloud service, at its core to centralize and automatically control multiple home appliances and equipment. Sensors installed in the homes of study participants acquire electricity usage statistics and behavioral patterns of residents as the basis for energy-saving controls customized for each home.

The energy-saving features in existing HEMS focus mainly on visualizing the electricity usage of home appliances and providing general energy-saving advice. But in order for HEMS, which holds the key to realizing energy saving within households, to increase in popularity, it will need to predict and suggest energy-saving measures in line with a wide range of different lifestyles, and to apply control measures automatically.

In 2012, Fujitsu Research Institute was commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment for a project to survey CO2-reduction results gained through the control of HEMS. Together with Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Research Institute developed and tested an equipment-control system intended to impose a minimal burden on residents while achieving great energy-saving results. A variety of sensors measuring electricity, human presence, temperature, humidity, light level, and sleep, were installed in the homes of study participants. Infrared remote controls were distributed to participants, and My Cloud was used for data collection and equipment control. A test system was constructed from this that enabled real-time energy-saving control to be carried out by confirming collected electricity-usage data by the minute. Knowledge was accumulated from this process which was collected in order to better improve automation in HEMS.

In participating households the results illustrated the possibility to reduce electricity consumption by more than 10 percent during the wintertime.

Building on these test results, this fiscal year Fujitsu aims to develop a system that will automatically control multiple home appliances and equipment in a way that is responsive to the needs of the residents.