Junior Condition Monitoring and Analytics Engineer

Hitachi, Tokyo Gas demonstrate digital biomethane tracking. Last updated: August 31, 2026 12:00 pm Hitachi, Ltd. and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. have collaborated to develop the first solution in Japan that digitally certifies that city gas produced using overseas biomethane as a raw material has been consumed in specific facilities. This solution, named "Powered by Carbon Neutral Gas," will begin demonstration testing in August 2026. Specifically, as part of Hitachi's "Customer Zero" initiative, which it implements and verifies in-house, this solution is being applied to the gas air conditioning equipment at the Hitachi Origin Park, a corporate museum located in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the birthplace of Hitachi. Through this collaborative effort between the two companies, it will be possible to prove that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from city gas in the target equipment are virtually zero, providing consumers with evidence of their efforts toward decarbonization. For suppliers, it will be possible to use this as a means to clearly demonstrate to consumers the environmental value of overseas-produced biomethane, thereby creating new environmental value on both the supply and demand sides. The Tokyo Gas Group has set forth "Challenge to Net-Zero CO2 Emissions" in its management vision "Compass2030." It is promoting initiatives in collaboration with various domestic and international businesses, combining measures such as biomethane, renewable energy, e-methane, hydrogen, and CCUS (Carbon Capture, Storage, and Sustainable Development). Both biomethane and e-methane are promising means of contributing to the decarbonization of heat. The group is promoting the introduction of overseas-sourced biomethane as a means of achieving carbon neutrality for gases that can be utilized early, aiming to accelerate these efforts. Moving forward, the group will continue to contribute to achieving the government's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 through various initiatives, including the introduction of overseas-sourced biomethane. In the collaborative project promoted by Hitachi City and Hitachi, the city is working to solve social issues and create new businesses by combining on-site data and insights gained through demonstrations in Hitachi City, the demonstration field, with digital technologies such as AI. Through this initiative, the city aims to develop a new environmentally friendly regional energy supply model and will also explore the possibility of future collaboration with other collaborative projects.

Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi operates across digital systems, energy, mobility and industrial equipment, with nuclear operations housed within its Green Energy & Mobility segment. The segment handles nuclear power plant design, supply, reactor control systems and fuel cycle services. Revenue is distributed across Energy (¥3,464.3 billion), Connective Industries (¥3,352.3 billion), Digital Systems & Services (¥3,012.3 billion), Mobility (¥1,380.6 billion) and Others (¥534.1 billion). Hitachi holds a market capitalisation of approximately ¥24,888.2 billion. The company's nuclear business relies on long-term plant construction and maintenance contracts. Management aims to improve margins through grid modernisation, AI-enabled control systems and portfolio streamlining. Analysts note risks including high project complexity, dependence on external funding for capital-intensive projects and the need to secure steady order intake to justify current valuation levels.

Mitsubishi and Hitachi partner to enhance power-trading for grid-scale batteries. Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and Hitachi, Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a cooperative framework aimed at delivering advanced power-trading support services for grid-scale battery operators. The collaboration will integrate Mitsubishi's MERSOL service with Hitachi's Power Trading System, creating a unified Power Trading Service. The service, set to launch in fiscal year 2027, aims to streamline operations by providing seamless support from automated bid planning to actual market transactions. This integration will allow operators to internalize sophisticated trading operations, which are often outsourced, thereby improving profitability and scalability. As Japan accelerates its renewable energy expansion to meet carbon neutrality goals by 2050, grid-scale batteries play an essential role in balancing supply and demand. The new service will help battery businesses navigate multiple markets such as the Japan Electric Power Exchange and the Electric Power Reserve Exchange, enhancing their ability to conduct strategic trading in-house. By automating complex trading workflows, the service is expected to reduce outsourcing costs, enable faster decision-making, and allow companies to accumulate valuable operational expertise. This will not only enhance profitability but also make it easier for operators to scale their business operations across multiple battery-storage sites. Through this partnership, Mitsubishi and Hitachi aim to support the growth of grid-scale battery businesses, contributing to a sustainable and carbon-neutral society. The companies plan to offer their respective systems as standalone solutions, in addition to the integrated service, to further support the sector's expansion.