Mitsubishi Electric (News - Alert), a provider of electrical and electronic equipments, announced it started tests of smart grid and smart-community technologies in Japan.

The project is aimed at developing and testing products including commercial systems, equipment and solutions for annual sales worth about $17 billion by March 2016.

The smart grid project enables Mitsubishi Electric to contribute to sustainable low-carbon societies setting up an economic and highly-reliable power grid.

Mitsubishi Electric’s tests will focus on the verification of smart grid technologies performances in severe conditions for the power system. The company will conduct tests in situations including loss of part of the grid by earthquake, lightning and other weather related events.

The company’s system enables consumers to visualize and control electricity usage for optimized energy use. The project focuses on the development of energy infrastructure to offer continuity in emergency situations, according to a press statement.

Since May 2010, the company developed smart-grid infrastructure worth 7 billion yen, including systems for supply and demand management, next-generation distribution management, advanced metering and energy management.

Recently, Koyo Cooling Systems, a provider of automotive heat exchangers, announced that it installed 500 Mitsubishi Electric photovoltaic modules in a 90 kW photovoltaic solar array on its sales and service office building in Irvine, California.

The solar system is expected to generate enough power to cover nearly 100 percent of the company's electricity needs. The 180-watt Mitsubishi Electric modules were selected for their high reliability, competitive cost and use of lead-free solder.

The solar system was installed by California Green Designs, a solar design and installation company in the Los Angeles area specializing in commercial and residential systems. The Koyo solar system is estimated to produce 130,000 kWh annually, saving the company money and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases.