Basic agreement signed on the introduction of automatic LPG meter reading service, using Chubu Electric Power's smart meter communications network

Shizuoka Gas Energy Inc. (Suruga-ku, Shizuoka; President Haruo Ito; "Shizuoka Gas Energy") and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Higashi-ku, Nagoya; President Kingo Hayashi; "Chubu Electric Power") signed a basic agreement today having reached a consensus on introduction of an automated gas meter reading service to Shizuoka Gas Energy that uses Chubu Electric Power's smart meter communications network.

As Japan's population decreases and ages, information technology advances, and customer needs diversify further, expectations are high that utilizing ICT and IoT will reduce labor required for meter reading and lead to the creation of new services.

Shizuoka Gas Energy has been utilizing telephone lines in some supply areas (in Shizuoka prefecture) to remotely obtain LPG usage, gas leakage as well as other information and data about alerts and gas residual volumes. The company has also employed this technology to remotely shut off, restore and perform other LPG meter operations.

In accordance with the basic agreement, Shizuoka Gas Energy will begin installing wireless communication terminals in FY2021 on LPG meters mainly in the supply area west of Fujikawa to automate meter reading using Chubu Electric Power's smart meter medications network. This will reduce the amount of labor necessary for meter reading and improve customer service.

Chubu Electric Power will provide the automated meter reading service, which utilizes its smart meter communications network, and assist Shizuoka Gas Energy with the introduction as part of Chubu Electric Power's community support infrastructure business designed to contribute to resolving social issues.