Environmental Activities

The prototype model house showed how Lifinity allowing energy consumption of the connected equipment to be checked via VIERA televisions.

Panasonic started a pilot project of a smart energy management system that will pave the way for the eco homes in the future in Europe, with SEAS-NVE, the second-largest consumer-owned energy company in Denmark on December 1, 2009. The home energy management system, Lifinity developed by Panasonic Electric Works is used in the project in tandem with SEAS-NVE's next generation power grid, Smart Grid and Smart Meters, which acquire power consumption data from individual homes via communication lines.

To coincide with the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Copenhagen, Denmark (COP15; December 7-18), Panasonic and SEAS-NVE opened a prototype model house in Sorø, which is located in the outskirts of Copenhagen to introduce details of their test demonstrations.

An opening ceremony for the house was held on December 9. At the beginning of the ceremony, Jeanette Hartz, the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of SEAS-NVE, reflected back on the discussions that resulted in this partnership between Smart Meters and Lifinity, saying, "Today is a truly historic day. Together, we will continue to pursue possibilities for energy-saving in the home and greater comfort for the people of Europe and the entire world."

Afterwards, Executive Officer of Panasonic Europe, Mr. Abadie offered his own greeting that, “Today is a very important milestone in Panasonic Energy Management Business in Europe. We are playing a significant role in firstly developing and leading a smart Energy Management System among whole Panasonic overseas operations. We are aiming to provide eco solutions at home by connecting various electric devices with Lifinity. The system can play a role of the central hub to control and monitor a range of networked electrical facilities and appliance.”

Following this speech, Managing Director Nomura explained how the Panasonic Group has set up a strategic target to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. He stated that the new tie-up between Smart Meters and Lifinity represents part of these initiatives, and underlined the company's determination to promote further the development of its energy management systems and realize lifestyles with virtually zero CO₂ emissions in the future.

The demonstration house managed by Lifinity, also sought to show how energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of individual lighting and home appliances can be checked via control monitors and even mobile phones. There were also display panels introducing how Panasonic is developing energy management systems for the entire home, in addition to its energy creation, energy storage, and energy saving equipment.

Throughout the duration of COP15, an Arctic Tent was set up in the center of Copenhagen by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other organizations to hold a number of events that focus on climate change issues. As part of Panasonic's partnership with the WWF International Arctic Program, Panasonic Europe supplied life-sized ice sculptures of a white bear by artists including Mark Coreth to be displayed in front of the tent (photo). The about 11 tons of ice was sculpted around bronze skeletons, which steadily became more visible as the ice slowly melted. This was intended to spur visitor interest in the problems of global warming.

Meanwhile the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art is hosting a visual exhibition on eco and global regionality entitled "Native Land" (December 5, 2009 - February 21, 2010). Panasonic and PDC Co., Ltd., which was founded through the Panasonic Spin-Up Fund (PSUF), are official partners of this exhibition, supplying equipment such as DLP projectors.