Mitsubishi Electric and Kanto Electrical Safety Association Begin Demonstration of Smart Security and Digital O&M for Power Distribution Equipment

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announces the launch on July 15, 2025, of a joint demonstration project with the Kanto Electrical Safety Association (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Toshiro Takebe; hereinafter 'Kanto Electrical Safety Association') for smart security and digital O&M (Operation & Maintenance) services for power distribution equipment.

In recent years, the maintenance and management of power distribution systems have faced urgent challenges, including the aging workforce and shortage of skilled electrical engineers and certified technicians. To address these issues, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has been promoting the adoption of 'smart security'—a system that uses IoT and AI to remotely monitor electrical equipment, detect early signs of abnormalities, and reduce the need for manual inspections. In line with this initiative, Mitsubishi Electric launched its 'Smart Security Service for Power Distribution Equipment' in April 2025, primarily serving customers with extra-high-voltage power distribution systems (defined as receiving voltages exceeding 7,000V and contracted power of 2,000kW or more).

This new demonstration project combines Mitsubishi Electric’s expertise in smart security, design and manufacturing of switchboard equipment, and data analytics powered by its digital platform 'Serendie®,' with the Kanto Electrical Safety Association’s extensive know-how in equipment safety and its network of customers using high-voltage power distribution systems (receiving voltages between 6,000V and 7,000V, with contracted power between 50kW and under 2,000kW). The collaboration aims to enhance smart security services and expand their application into the high-voltage equipment domain.

Under this demonstration, various sensors and measuring devices will be installed on power distribution equipment at multiple facilities across the Kanto region managed by the Kanto Electrical Safety Association. Data on equipment installation environments and anomalies will be aggregated in the cloud. By combining both parties’ expertise and leveraging 'Serendie®' for high-precision analysis, the project will examine the relationship between environmental factors—such as facility location—and equipment degradation rates. This will enable the development of flexible and optimized maintenance plans, as well as early anomaly detection, overcoming the limitations of conventional smart security systems that rely on fixed thresholds regardless of environmental conditions.

Additionally, the demonstration will assess the effectiveness of a digital O&M service in which AI agents analyze equipment and sensor data in real time. By applying the results, the project aims to reduce reliance on skilled technicians for troubleshooting and instruction during malfunctions, thereby standardizing work quality and addressing challenges such as declining numbers of safety inspectors and electrical chief engineers, as well as insufficient skill transfer.

Both parties intend to leverage the outcomes of this demonstration to advance smart security technologies, commercialize digital O&M-integrated services, and expand offerings to high-voltage power distribution equipment. These efforts aim to resolve the societal challenge of workforce shortages in electrical safety and contribute to building a sustainable, safe, and secure infrastructure.

■ Key Features of the Joint Demonstration

1. Advancing Smart Security through Combined Expertise and Data Analytics

- Aggregate data from various sensors and meters installed on power distribution equipment—such as internal temperature, humidity, and contamination levels—into the cloud. Cross-reference this with accumulated data based on Mitsubishi Electric’s equipment design and manufacturing expertise and the Kanto Electrical Safety Association’s equipment safety know-how. Utilize 'Serendie®' to perform high-precision analysis of equipment operational status.

- Collect and analyze multiple anomaly patterns from intentionally failed or degraded equipment at facilities operated by the Kanto Electrical Safety Association in diverse environments, including mountainous and coastal areas. This will verify the relationship between installation environments and equipment health. The project aims to derive correlations between environmental conditions and anomaly trends—insights unattainable with traditional monitoring systems that apply uniform thresholds regardless of location.

- Evaluate the feasibility of optimizing sensor usage and reducing required units to improve cost-effectiveness, enabling early anomaly detection through integrated data analysis and expertise, and optimizing inspection items and intervals.

2. Verifying Labor Reduction and Work Standardization in Security Operations via AI-Powered Digital O&M

- Verify the effectiveness of a digital O&M service that links equipment and sensor data with AI agents to provide timely and appropriate responses to malfunctions detected by smart security systems.

- Based on verification results, conduct further studies toward realizing services that support labor reduction and work quality standardization in security operations.

■ Overview of the Joint Demonstration

■ Trademark Information

'Serendie®'

A trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

■ About the Kanto Electrical Safety Association

Established in 1966 as a foundation, the Kanto Electrical Safety Association primarily serves the service area of Tokyo Electric Power Company. Its mission is to conduct inspections of general electrical installations and ensure the safety of private electrical facilities. As a general foundation corporation, it operates under the management philosophy of 'contributing to a comfortable and secure society through services that enable safe and efficient use of electricity.' The association contributes to the proper and safe use of electricity in the Kanto region through four core activities: inspection, safety management, electrical construction, and public outreach.

■ About the Mitsubishi Electric Group

The Mitsubishi Electric Group, guided by 'Our Philosophy,' places sustainability at the core of its management and values trust from stakeholders including society, customers, shareholders, and employees. The group pursues profitability, capital efficiency, and growth while creating new value to solve societal challenges through continuous customer engagement, aiming for sustained corporate value enhancement. Founded in 1921, the group has over 100 years of history and operates in diverse fields such as social systems, energy systems, defense and space systems, factory automation (FA) systems, automotive equipment, building systems, air conditioning and home appliances, digital innovation, semiconductors, and devices. With over 200 group companies worldwide and approximately 150,000 employees, the group achieved consolidated sales of 5.8947 trillion yen in the fiscal year 2025. For more details, please visit the official website.

※1 Digital O&M: A technology that enhances the efficiency and reduces dependency on personnel in Operation & Maintenance (O&M) tasks through digital technologies.

※2 Press release dated February 18, 2025: https://www.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp/en/news/2025/0218-b/

※3 Extra-high-voltage power distribution equipment: Relatively large-scale systems with receiving voltages exceeding 7,000V and contracted power of 2,000kW or more.

※4 High-voltage power distribution equipment: Relatively small-scale systems with receiving voltages between 6,000V and 7,000V and contracted power between 50kW and under 2,000kW.

＜Customer Inquiries＞

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Power Distribution Systems Works

Development Strategy Project Group, New Business Creation Group

8 Hōrai-cho, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture 763-8516

TEL: 0877-24-8023