he full liberalization of electricity able to do so since April 2004 and 8 trillion yen. Combined with the T retail market started on April 1. April 2005, respectively – now, finally, market that had been liberalized in a The media has provided coverage on households and stores categorized as phased manner up until now, the total new-entry power companies and their “low voltage” can tap the same benefits size will be approximately 18 trillion services, but do you know the details? of selecting yen. Including the relevant services Until now, households and stores could we can expect an even larger positive only purchase electricity from the power The vitalization of the economic effect. companies in their region. However, the electricity market benefits The liberalization of electricity will be a market has now been opened and entry society as a whole major turning point for Japanese society Full liberalization into the electricity retail business fully It is expected that the full liberalization as a whole. In the following pages, let’s liberalized as of this spring, allowing all of electricity retail market will provide go through relevant information on how begins! consumers to freely select which power wide ranging benefits listed below to navigate and think about this new Clever companies they will buy electricity from. system. for example. It is considered that While the liberalization began some time competition among many business ago for mass consumers – large-scale operators drives increased efficiency factories, department stores and office forward, such as through reduced buildings categorized as “extra-high prices and improved services. voltage” became able to freely select a Furthermore, such vitalization of the power company in March 2000, while market is also closely related to the techniques for medium- and small-scale factories and growth of the Japanese economy. The medium- and small-sized enterprises size of the market that will be opened categorized as “high voltage” were with this liberalization is approximately purchasing You can keep electricity expenses down With many business operators entering the electricity retail market, electricity competitive market principles will take hold, and the price of electricity will be suppressed to the minimum level. Likewise, with competition among utility companies over rate You can choose a power plans and services, the ability for company consumers to purchase electricity Make your choice today at more reasonable prices will increase. You can choose a power company according to your needs, such as the desire to You can save electricity switch to a power company offering lower prices, to select according to your lifestyle the utility company from your hometown, or to use Utility companies are starting electricity generated in an What does the full liberalization of the electricity retail market mean? to offer plans that provide environmentally-friendly way. different rates for different The quality of electricity is What will change, who will benefit, why and in what way? periods or days of the week. basically the same among all Selecting a plan according utility companies. This new system allows households and stores to select an electricity provider that best to your lifestyle, such as using less electricity during meets their preferences. Here we explain the new system in an easy-to-understand way. the daytime or using more electricity on weekends, Cleverly utilizing the benefits of liberalization stands to improve one’s everyday life. will lead to easy energy conservation and wallet- friendly electricity savings. 04 METI Journal Clever techniques for purchasing electricity METI Journal 05 It’s not too late! Which will you choose? How to switch your electricity provider New plans and services are What do you specifically need to do to sign up with a different utility company? emerging one after another! There is nothing difficult about the process. Let’s go through the general flow. The market is revitalized with companies in various industries and municipalities entering the business of electricity retailing! A wide variety of new rate plans and services are now being offered. STEP Install a smart meter Bundle discount Time period discount Replace the existing meter with a smart meter. Apply for it with the newly selected power company, and the regional power company you currently use will send you a notice on the scheduled Companies are How much electricity is replacement date. The replacement is free of charge in principle offering services with used in what hours may 1 (there may be cases where a fee is charged for the replacement discounted rates by differ according to family work). contracting electricity structure and lifestyle. STEP in combination with Therefore, there are plans other services that are with different electricity currently being used by rates for different times households, including of the day and week, gas, mobile phone, such as discounted rates internet, and CATV. during the morning or 2 discounted rates at night. Compare and choose Renewable energy generation service Local production for local consumption First, compare factors such as price, service, environmental friendliness, etc. and select a power company that best meets your There are also power There are also regional preferences. Then, apply to switch through the service counter, companies mainly selling power companies call center, or website of the company. Your newly selected power electricity generated with being founded mainly company will carry out the procedure for leaving your current utility renewable energy, such by local governments company. as wind power, solar such as prefectures or power, water power, and cities. By purchasing Make a smart choice and enjoy the geothermal heat. These electricity from the options are attractive to local electricity retailers advantages of liberalization! people who would like to in your region, you STEP live on environmentally- can also contribute to As explained above, it doesn’t take much time or friendly energy resources revitalizing the local effort to switch to a new power company. Start by or want to support the industry. considering why you want to switch. Will you select a diffusion of such energy. company with lower prices, or a company with more 3 satisfying services? The purpose will vary from household to household. The role of a “smart meter,” which supports the electricity service Of course, you don’t need to feel rushed, because electricity will be supplied as always even if you don’t do anything. However, it is also true that you It used to be difficult for rate plan for the household. Allows for [TEPCO] [KEPCO] can enjoy the advantages of the liberalization by households to determine what A smart meter is also beneficial measurement selecting a power company and rate plan that suits amount of electricity was used for the power company. Because every 30 minutes your household best. Therefore, it is recommended to in what hours, on what days. it can transmit information on and remote meter thoroughly consider your options. However, by installing a smart its own, there is no need for reading! Electricity is supplied For your information, you do not need to install a meter, you can understand employees to visit the meter new electricity cable when switching to a new power electricity use every 30 minutes. in person in order to obtain From the date specified under the contract, electricity will be company. In addition, even in the unlikely case of the Visualization of household readings. Also detailed data on supplied from the newly selected utility company. The period from newly contracted company going bankrupt, electricity application to the actual switching of companies will be about electricity use should lead to electricity use in each household two weeks when replacement of a smart meter is required, and will continue to be supplied by your original provider. higher awareness of electricity provides valuable information about four days if a smart meter is already installed (times may vary A new company should be commencing service in saving. The data should also be for the development of new rate Metrological Communication Metrological Communication function function function function depending on application volume). your region now. Please make a smart choice. useful for considering the best plans and services. 06 METI Journal Clever techniques for purchasing electricity METI Journal 07 NEC / Opower Inc. balancing supply and demand, time analysis and visualization of big Various mechanisms to support electricity retailors increasing customer satisfaction data, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District, an entity that has realized high and Supporting the prompt launch Strengthening connections with end-use customers Using unique technologies and methods customer satisfaction in the competitive introducing recommended rate plans to increase the competitiveness of market in California, where the supply of business via big data analysis and behavioral science B to B and generation of electricity are power companies. unbundled. Cloud-based By combining NEC’s existing services technologies such as HEMS and Management of electricity supply Improving services is important business. Especially for new retailers energy storage with ICT, NEC is and demand for power companies’ customer entering from different industries, they Electricity developing new services that contribute Customer information management retailer