NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE:6701) and Enel Distribuzione, the company which manages Enel’s (ENEL:MIL) electricity distribution grid in Italy, have expanded their existing strategic partnership for the development of Smart Grids, which began in April 2011, by signing a new memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The new agreement aims at increasing joint business opportunities in the smart energy field, one of the most promising areas of development for the energy industry. It enhances technical and commercial collaboration between the two companies in three key areas of new energy technologies.
1. Advanced metering infrastructure: The two companies will extend their cooperation in promoting technical architecture and developing joint commercial strategies for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions throughout global markets, particularly in Japan and the Far East. Furthermore, they will capitalize on Enel’s unique experience in smart meter deployment and NEC’s leadership in network technologies.
2. Electricity storage systems: On the basis of ongoing joint trials of electricity storage systems (ESS), NEC and Enel will develop electricity storage solutions for industrial and residential applications in electricity grids for a growing global market.
3. Smart energy technologies: Enel and NEC will also cooperate on Smart City development, electric vehicle infrastructure, energy management systems (EMS) and other smart energy technologies.
“The enlargement of the strategic collaboration with NEC combines Enel’s leadership in the development of Smart Grids and Smart Cities with an important partner in the field of technology and telecommunications. The growth potential in the Japanese and Far East markets is of great interest to both parties with joint technical and commercial solutions in the field of Smart Meters, a fundamental step in the evolution of Smart Grids. However, we will be gauging ourselves in a global market which requires high-level solutions in all areas of Smart Grid technology, including Energy Storage Systems, which are at an advanced stage of joint implementation in pilot projects on the Enel grid,” stated Livio Gallo, head of Enel’s Infrastructures and Networks Division.
“Following last week’s announcement that NEC was awarded a contract by Enel to supply one of the largest Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in Europe, this new agreement creates even greater opportunity for our companies to expand into new business development,” said Takemitsu Kunio, senior vice president, NEC Corporation. “The signing of this MOU helps to respond to new global energy challenges and reaffirms the companies’ leading positions as early movers in the growing global market for energy-related solutions. It also ensures wider involvement for NEC in global energy projects.”
