Executive Summary
F-Grid Miyagi, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
After the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, F-Grid Miyagi now uses a gas engine cogeneration system in its automotive factory to protect against the next energy crisis and conducts manufacturing in partnership with the region. The company has also been studying the “F-Grid” (factory-driven power grid) initiative, which is a collaboration among industry, academia and government that aims to build a more secure, comfortable life for the community.
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation
The community energy management system (CEMS) at F-Grid Miyagi efficiently supplies electricity and heat to consumers in the industrial park while optimally balancing the power purchased from the electric power supplier and the electricity and heat (steam and hot water) generated by the company’s cogeneration system (CGS) and solar power generation system. This Industrial Park Smart Community program was developed and is now operated by F-Grid Miyagi, supported by subsidies from the national government after a two-year demonstration experiment. Yokogawa took part in this program and configured the CEMS.
Benefits
- The CEMS of F-Grid Miyagi optimally balances the electricity and heat generated by its own CGS and solar power generation system with the power purchased from the electric power supplier, and efficiently supplies electricity and heat to consumers in the industrial park.
- The CEMS captures the varying power and steam demand, and unit price data of power and gas rates, and calculates the optimum ratios of the power to be generated by the CGS and the power to be purchased.
- During the two-year demonstration experiment from April 2013 to March 2015, costs were reduced by 20% compared with the past.
Community Energy Management System and Factory Energy Management Systems (FEMSs)
Features
The CEMS of F-Grid Miyagi features a function to predict the energy demand of each factory based on the captured data that is specific to the individual factories and is closely correlated with energy demand. By calculating the optimum energy supply from the predicted values, the CEMS draws up supply plans including CGS operation plans. In future, each factory will use the predicted values, compare them with the actual results, and analyze the discrepancies for more efficient use of energy.
Future plan
Adjustment of energy supply and demand in individual regions and industrial plants is crucial for the energy policy of Japan. Yokogawa is committed to helping establish distributed energy infrastructure in partnership with local regions by leveraging the experience gained in developing the CEMS for F-Grid Miyagi.
Industries
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Power
In the mid 1970s, Yokogawa entered the power business with the release of the EBS Electric Control System. Since then, Yokogawa has steadfastly continued with the development of our technologies and capabilities for providing the best services and solutions to our customers worldwide.
Yokogawa has operated the global power solutions network to play a more active role in the dynamic global power market. This has allowed closer teamwork within Yokogawa, bringing together our global resources and industry know-how. Yokogawa's power industry experts work together to bring each customer the solution that best suits their sophisticated requirements.
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Renewable Energy
Renewable energy helps protect the environment and brings both society and industry closer to the goal of achieving sustainability. However, compared to conventional energy sources, there are certain challenges that stand in the way of its rapid adoption, such as higher production costs and greater instability in the supply of power to the grid. As a leading company in the control and instrumentation business, Yokogawa has always striven to help its customers in various industries achieve stable operations and improve productivity in their plants. We provide solutions for renewable energy applications worldwide, thus contributing to the sustainable development goals.