The Goto Islands, located on the far west of Kyushu, is an island filled with historical significance. It was a historically important center for foreign trade, and the many churches that are located on the island are planning to be submitted for consideration as a World Heritage Site in 2016.

It is here in these islands that a new EV smart grid program was being demonstrated. With the use of ICT, the transfer of electricity was able to be limited and optimized, by adjusting the balance of supply and demand. In addition, the city aimed to locally produce and consume its energy by combining EVs and Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Networks to the smart grid, reducing its overall power usage, and load shifting.

In accordance with the "Nagasaki Prefecture EV/PHV Concept Town Master Plan" promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nagasaki Prefecture is currently working to implement 500 next-generation vehicles. As a part of this plan, solar-powered charging stations, as well as 200 EVs and PHVs were implemented in the Goto Islands for tourism based local revitalization.

The "Nagasaki EV & ITS Project", aiming to create a futuristic driving sightseeing system, is also being advanced through the implementation of EVs and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) on the islands. In addition to the city of Goto and Shinkamigoto, automakers, electronics and navigation manufacturers, local companies, universities and related organizations took part in the demonstrational test.

Goto Islands are not the only place in Nagasaki demonstrating EV implementation. Sasebo City's theme park, Huis Ten Bosch, is also demonstrating one of Japan's largest EV implementation models through its Nagasaki Next-Generation Energy Park, using local resources. Through the utilization of smart energy solutions by the use of the combining energy and ICT even in smaller cities around Japan, and by integrating next-generation mobility solutions such as EVs with ICT, the opportunities will grow for the future of mobility.

In addition, by further utilizing EV and charging infrastructures such as fast chargers, on-board ITS, and ICT, a networking system for those technologies, cars may be able to become an infrastructure to support regional energy systems.

At SMC, the exhibition "Cars and ICT&E (Energy/Entertainment) Lab" will be set up to introduce these cutting-edge technologies related to cars, information and energy. Please visit the exhibit to experience the vision and ways to enjoy the future of cars.