Start of Demonstration Experiment for Advanced Facility Horticulture in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture

E's Inc.

E-vance Inc.

JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd.

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Today, E's Inc. (hereinafter "E's"), E-vance Inc. (hereinafter "E-vance"), JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd. (hereinafter "JA Mitsui Leasing"), and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (hereinafter "Chubu Electric Power") have commenced a demonstration experiment (hereinafter "this demonstration") for advanced facility horticulture utilizing a remote monitoring and control system and an electric heat pump at a melon farm in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

In recent years, the agricultural sector has faced labor shortages and an aging workforce. Furthermore, facility horticulture grapples with various challenges, including the essential use of equipment like boilers to maintain optimal temperatures for crop growth, leading to significant fuel cost burdens, and high CO2 emissions from heavy oil combustion.

In this demonstration, a remote monitoring and control system provided by E-vance and an electric heat pump provided by E's will be introduced into the glass greenhouse of the melon farm. Chubu Electric Power will be responsible for the integration of these systems and the overall management of the demonstration. This initiative aims to visualize the growing environment, including temperature and humidity, thereby improving the efficiency of farm operations and reducing production costs and CO2 emissions by decreasing heavy oil usage.

Moreover, through data analysis and evaluation by Chubu Electric Power, the effects of these initiatives will be verified. JA Mitsui Leasing will consider providing financial services such as leasing, looking ahead to the widespread adoption and expansion of equipment based on the results of this demonstration.

Moving forward, the four companies aim to achieve both increased productivity and environmental conservation in facility horticulture, promoting the development of food infrastructure that addresses social issues in the agricultural sector, while also realizing a sustainable business model and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

[Demonstration Overview]

1. Demonstration Period

July 2026 - March 2027

2. Demonstration Site

One melon farm in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture

3. Demonstration Items

Verification of the effects of improved agricultural productivity and reduced CO2 emissions through the introduction of a remote monitoring and control system and an electric heat pump.

4. Roles of Each Company

<E's>

- Provision of electric heat pump

<E-vance>

- Provision of remote monitoring and control system necessary for labor reduction, measurement of cultivation environment data

<JA Mitsui Leasing>

- Consideration of the possibility of providing financial services such as leasing based on demonstration results

<Chubu Electric Power>

- Overall management of the demonstration - Data analysis

- Consideration, proposals, and coordination for the integration of electric heat pump equipment and remote monitoring and control system

- Data measurement and evaluation of heavy oil reduction volume, etc., development of remote monitoring and control system necessary for labor reduction

- Consideration and proposals for equipment specifications for energy management concepts

5. Demonstration Image

[Company Overviews]

E's Inc.

Head Office Location

Tsao Hibiya 3F, 3-3-13 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities

Development, planning, sales, installation, maintenance, and consulting of air conditioning equipment utilizing electricity, etc.

URL

https://esinc.co.jp/

E-vance Inc.

Head Office Location

4F, Pio City, 1-1 Sakuragicho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Business Activities

Sales, installation, and construction of measurement and control equipment

URL

https://e-vance.co.jp/index.html

JA Mitsui Leasing Ltd.

Head Office Location

Ginza Mitsui Building, 8-13-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities

Leasing business, installment sales business, various finance businesses, and other related businesses

URL

https://www.jamitsuilease.co.jp/

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Head Office Location

1 Higashishinmachi, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi

Business Activities

Renewable energy business, nuclear power business, overseas business, community support infrastructure-related business, etc.

URL

https://www.chuden.co.jp/

End