Japan's First: Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Launch Automatic DR Operation Service for Refrigerators
Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz have developed Japan's first automatic Demand Response (DR) service for refrigerators, controlling power usage automatically. Applications start on April 15, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 22:20
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 11:47 (93h 45m after Collected)
Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter "Panasonic") has jointly developed an "Automatic Demand Response (hereinafter 'DR') Operation Service (*1)" with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc. (hereinafter "Chubu Electric Power Miraiz"), which automatically controls the operation of refrigerators according to the optimization of electricity supply and demand. Applications will be accepted starting April 15, 2026. This service automatically responds to both "Down DR," which curtails electricity use upon request from the power company, and "Up DR," which increases use, marking Japan's first (*2) initiative of its kind.
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, which have seen increasing adoption in recent years, are easily affected by weather conditions, causing unstable power generation and making the balance of electricity supply and demand susceptible to disruption depending on the time of day and season. As a mechanism to compensate for this situation, the importance of DR—where the electricity user adjusts the amount and timing of usage (peak shifting) to support supply and demand—is growing. However, conventional DR for households has faced challenges in sustained participation due to the significant effort required from consumers, such as "having to take action each time a notification is received," "not knowing what to do," or "being too busy to respond."
Panasonic focused on refrigerators, which account for a high percentage of household power consumption and are constantly powered on. Based on the results of joint demonstration experiments with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz (*3), the company developed refrigerators equipped with a DR function that automatically controls operation in response to requests from the power company. Once configured in the dedicated app, the system automatically controls the refrigerator's operational status in response to DR requests from Chubu Electric Power Miraiz while minimizing the impact on the food inside. For example, during a Down DR, it pre-cools the interior beforehand to stop the compressor and curtail power usage during the requested time. During an Up DR, it shifts the timing of defrost operations—often performed at night when the doors are rarely opened—to use power during the requested time. This allows for effortless contribution to the adjustment of electricity supply and demand.
Panasonic was early to commercialize CFC-free refrigerants and has pursued energy-saving performance through the evolution of compressors, insulation technology, and temperature control technology, striving to reduce the environmental impact of refrigerators. Moving forward, the company will continue to utilize its technological capabilities to contribute to a better life and a sustainable society through high-quality manufacturing and value propositions that anticipate lifestyle changes.
*1 To use the automatic DR operation service, you must apply for the "NACHARGE Link KADEN" service provided by Chubu Electric Power Miraiz and perform initial setup on a DR-equipped Panasonic refrigerator and Panasonic's "Kitchen Pocket" service app.
*2 As a DR service utilizing household refrigerators (As of April 15, 2026, according to research by Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz).
*3 [Press Release] Confirmed usefulness and acceptability of automatic demand response control for refrigerators (December 10, 2024)
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn241210-2
[Inquiries]
Panasonic Refrigerator Consultation Desk
Toll-free: 0120-878-693
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday - Saturday (Excluding holidays and the first three days of the New Year)
Please see the full press release below.
▼[Press Release] Japan's First: Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Launch Automatic DR Operation Service for Refrigerators (April 15, 2026)
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn260415-1
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, which have seen increasing adoption in recent years, are easily affected by weather conditions, causing unstable power generation and making the balance of electricity supply and demand susceptible to disruption depending on the time of day and season. As a mechanism to compensate for this situation, the importance of DR—where the electricity user adjusts the amount and timing of usage (peak shifting) to support supply and demand—is growing. However, conventional DR for households has faced challenges in sustained participation due to the significant effort required from consumers, such as "having to take action each time a notification is received," "not knowing what to do," or "being too busy to respond."
Panasonic focused on refrigerators, which account for a high percentage of household power consumption and are constantly powered on. Based on the results of joint demonstration experiments with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz (*3), the company developed refrigerators equipped with a DR function that automatically controls operation in response to requests from the power company. Once configured in the dedicated app, the system automatically controls the refrigerator's operational status in response to DR requests from Chubu Electric Power Miraiz while minimizing the impact on the food inside. For example, during a Down DR, it pre-cools the interior beforehand to stop the compressor and curtail power usage during the requested time. During an Up DR, it shifts the timing of defrost operations—often performed at night when the doors are rarely opened—to use power during the requested time. This allows for effortless contribution to the adjustment of electricity supply and demand.
Panasonic was early to commercialize CFC-free refrigerants and has pursued energy-saving performance through the evolution of compressors, insulation technology, and temperature control technology, striving to reduce the environmental impact of refrigerators. Moving forward, the company will continue to utilize its technological capabilities to contribute to a better life and a sustainable society through high-quality manufacturing and value propositions that anticipate lifestyle changes.
*1 To use the automatic DR operation service, you must apply for the "NACHARGE Link KADEN" service provided by Chubu Electric Power Miraiz and perform initial setup on a DR-equipped Panasonic refrigerator and Panasonic's "Kitchen Pocket" service app.
*2 As a DR service utilizing household refrigerators (As of April 15, 2026, according to research by Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz).
*3 [Press Release] Confirmed usefulness and acceptability of automatic demand response control for refrigerators (December 10, 2024)
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn241210-2
[Inquiries]
Panasonic Refrigerator Consultation Desk
Toll-free: 0120-878-693
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday - Saturday (Excluding holidays and the first three days of the New Year)
Please see the full press release below.
▼[Press Release] Japan's First: Panasonic and Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Launch Automatic DR Operation Service for Refrigerators (April 15, 2026)
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/jn260415-1