#Japan #Hitachi #Tohoku #Tohoku Electric #Shibusawa Award

Hitachi and Tohoku Electric Network Win Prestigious Award

In a significant achievement, Hitachi Ltd., along with the Tohoku Electric Network and Tohoku Electric Power Company, has been awarded the 70th Shibusawa Award in the invention and technology development sector. This award recognizes their groundbreaking work in developing a predictive fault detection system for electricity supply lines.

The Award-Winning Team

The team that contributed to this innovative system includes several prominent figures:

• - Takuro Kawamura from Tohoku Electric Network
• - Nobukazu Yamada from Tohoku Electric (formerly with Tohoku Electric Network during development)
• - Yusuke Kazuhara
• - Toyoshi Shibata, also from Tohoku Electric Network
• - Yoshimasa Wada from Hitachi

This collaboration showcases an exemplary model of how joint efforts can lead to advancements in technology that benefits society as a whole.

About the Predictive Fault Detection System

The core feature of the predictive fault detection system is its ability to identify early signs of potential equipment failures in the electricity supply lines. This innovation plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and power outages. Traditionally, understanding the early warnings of equipment malfunctions has been a challenge. However, through the integration of smart meter data, which captures event information like instantaneous power outages and voltage drops, the team successfully created a predictive model using machine learning.

The implementation of this system in real-world applications marks a significant advancement in electrical safety standards, enhancing the protective measures for users and improving overall service reliability. By being able to foresee potential issues, utility companies can take proactive steps to avert outages and ensure continuous power supply.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Hitachi and its partners are committed to further refining the predictive fault detection system and facilitating its broader adoption. The enhancement of electrical safety through digital technology is a primary focus, as is the commitment to elevating security management practices across the electrical infrastructure. By doing so, they aim to foster greater trust and safety for the society that relies on these electrical systems.

The Shibusawa Award

The Shibusawa Award is a prestigious accolade established in 1956, recognized as Japan's only private-sector honor in electrical safety. It commemorates the contributions of Dr. Genji Shibusawa, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the country’s electrical safety framework, which included the formulation of the Electricity Business Act and reforms to the engineer certification system. Each year, this award is conferred upon those who have made outstanding achievements in the field of electrical safety, carrying forward Dr. Shibusawa’s exemplary spirit.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Hitachi and Tohoku Electric highlights a vital step forward not only in technology development but also in enhancing public safety and trust in electrical services. Their award win underlines the importance of innovation in meeting contemporary challenges in industry, particularly as societies grow more reliant on electrical infrastructure.

For more information regarding the predictive fault detection system and its impact on electrical safety, contact Hitachi’s Social Business Unit, Energy Systems Division at their official inquiry page here and select inquiries related to the energy sector.