Grand Prix Winner

Hitachi ABB Power Grids Indonesia has pioneered the first microgrid project in an off- grid island in Indonesia

Hitachi ABB Power Grids Indonesia (Hitachi Energy Indonesia)

As one of the world’s fastest-growing countries in terms of energy consumption, Indonesia is the largest energy user in South East Asia. The government wants to increase the use of renewable energy of 23% by 2025. As society shifts towards sustainable energy one thing is clear, electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system. We have successfully deployed advanced, large-scale microgrid projects located in Semau, East Nusa Tenggara. Like many remote and island communities, this microgrid connects businesses and households to a reliable energy source, producing 100% renewable energy supply during hot sunny days, while also enhancing the quality of life for the island of 7500 people.

2nd Prize

GAMECHANGER - The Way MegaLink Changed Philippines' Financial Norms Forever

MegaLink Inc. & Hitachi Digital Solutions

The Seven Bank project is the FIRST and ONLY Cash Recycling Machine (CRM) machines installation with Multi-Bank capability in the Philippines.In two years’ time, Hitachi Channel Solutions, Corp. (HCS) and MegaLink, Inc. aims to install 4,200 machines to 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Limited channels on cash conversion, and regulated banking hours are major challenges Philippines faces despite government and bank efforts in digitalizing the way financial industry moves. Numerous e-wallets emerged yet, the cash conversion to digital money became the major challenge. Fortunately, the collaboration between MegaLink, HCS and Seven Bank paved way to resolve this challenge. The Mission aims to produce a multi-bank CRM machines that has never been done in the Philippines before and successful implementation will result to a safer, convenient, accessible and unified banking options to the Filipino People.

The Seven Bank project shall lead the nation to a Social and Technological transformation, on the way Filipinos does their banking. From costly, dangerous, and limited banking to a convenient and effortless banking available 24/7 to 7- Eleven stores offering Multi bank Deposits, withdrawals, bills payments etc. Now, banking is only better and more compatible with the financial inclusion projects implemented nationwide.

The Seven Bank Project was a breakthrough project affecting in many ways - the FILIPINO PEOPLE on how they do their Banking, For Seven Bank as they became an instrument to a unified and better banking in the Philippines, and for MegaLink and HCS for spearheading the technology needed to accomplish this Mission. Our collaboration allowed us to push harder in completing a deeper and more meaningful purpose – change the financial norms of every Filipinos forever and we as gamechangers.

3rd Prize

New Online Optimized Control of Voltage & Reactive Power Technologies (OPENVQ) for More Efficient Operation of Power Grid With Increasing Variable Renewable Energy in Thailand

Hitachi Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

In 2018, Hitachi and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) engaged in MOU to study on Grid Stabilization Technologies in Thailand. During MOU activity, we learned from EGAT that Electricity demand in Thailand is growing as its economy develops, and country is facing with a challenge to reduce the loss of power in the transmission network with increasing amount of renewable energy. To realize electricity supply through such multiple generations, transmission facilities should be expanded and reinforced for increasing an available transfer capability. However, there is significant investments are required.

Through discussion, EGAT showed interest in voltage control and shared information about voltage control in Thailand. As we realized that EGAT has no voltage profile for voltage stability improvement or transmission loss reduction. There is only voltage magnitude control (mainly manual operation) which may face problems due to voltage fluctuation at failures, Variable Renewable Energy at distribution, etc.

In 2019, Together with EGAT, project team engage in Project Development and Feasibility Study of Low Carbonization and Advancement by Online Optimized Control of Transmission System Voltage and Reactive Power (OPENVQ) utilizing ICT. After study result, we approached EGAT to consider applying this technology to Thailand. However, due to many obstacles such as project references and budget, EGAT unable to make swift decision and decline to continue the activity.

We believed this project will lead to many benefits to society:
-Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction by reducing fossil fuel generation.
-Operating expenditure (OPEX) reduction from transmission loss reduction.
-Voltage stability improvement under increasing Variable Renewable Energy.
-Capital expenditure (CAPEX) rationalization by reducing operation of voltage control equipment.

So, we continued to further pursue on convincing customer for reconsideration. Our Japan team approached New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under METI for project funding under Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) scheme. Parallelly, we discussed with EGAT about the social and economic benefit of OPENVQ.

Finally, EGAT agreed to proceed the demonstration project in Northeastern Region with Hitachi utilizing NEDO fund. Through lengthy application process, Hitachi got approval for budget around USD 8 Million (JPY 848 Million) and signed contract with NEDO in December 2020. Following NEDO contract, Hitachi Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (HAS-TH) received service agreement from Hitachi, Ltd. in amount of USD 261K (JPY 27.7 Million) in January 2021 during the implementation period from (Jan. 2021 - Feb 2023). HAS-TH will also involve in market research on Energy IOT products & services and developing business in Thailand.

Special Recognition Award

Provision of the health risk prediction service powered by Hitachi Lumada with the medical big data analysis technology

Hitachi Asia (Vietnam) Company Limited

In recent years in Vietnam, along with rapid economic development, people's lifestyle, eating and exercise habits are changing, leading to an increase in lifestyle-related diseases that account for more than 60% of death. Meanwhile, awareness of prevention and early detection of diseases for early treatment is still not widespread. People only go to the hospital to receive treatment when the disease has become severe that make the cost of treatment increase.

In such circumstance, Hitachi has collaborated with Bao Viet Insurance - the largest State-owned Non-life Insurance Company with biggest market share of health insurance in Vietnam to co-create a completely new service that helps people be aware of their health risk visually. And this is powered by Hitachi Lumada (Risk Simulator/A medical big data analysis service).

With this service, we expect to give users a tool to understand their own health risk, the causes that may adversely affect their health and give them recomendations for improvement.

As a result, this not only helps to improve people's quality of life [Social values], but also helps to reduce medical costs, reducing the burden on the country's Social Security System[Economic values].

This was the first time Risk Simulator has been introduced oversea, and also the first time it has been introduced as a cloud service. The project was made possible thanks to the active cooperation between the customer and Hitachi on the basis of making the most of the valuable experience that Hitachi gained during the cooperation with partners in Japan in the past.

Special Recognition Award

Automated Prescription Dispensing System

PSB Technologies Pte Ltd

A large public hospital in Singapore wished to automate its prescription dispensing process in its outpatient pharmacy. The hospital’s packing and assembling of prescription medications was heavily dependent on trained manpower, which meant that the process was labour intensive and very time-consuming - in short, productivity levels were not as optimal as they could have been.

Especially during times of national health crises such as the current pandemic, it is extremely important that hospitals are as efficient with their time and labour as possible, due to the severe shortage of manpower and resources, as well as the high levels of urgency for patient treatment. Furthermore, the heavy reliance on manual resources also made it susceptible to human errors such as packing the wrong drug or the wrong dosage. These are issues that can have severe health consequences, and in the worst case, have life-or-death consequences. By automating this process, we enabled the hospital to free up time, money and manpower to focus on the most important tasks at hand: getting patients treated.

Special Recognition Award

Hitachi Awarded largest Order (600Units) for Hitachi Group's Lifts & Escalator Business in Singapore

Hitachi Elevator Asia Pte Ltd

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is Singapore's public housing authority. Singapore's public housing has housed an entire nation – today, more than 1 million flats have been completed in 23 towns and 3 estates across the island. HDB flats are home to over 80% of Singapore's resident population, with about 90% of these resident households proudly owning their home.

Hitachi Elevator Asia is proud to see the supply, delivery and installation of 600 lifts at HDB blocks across Singapore. We aim to continue establishing new breakthroughs and maintain our position among the top 3 in new installation market of Singapore.

With our talented team and proven experience, we will continue to provide safe, secure and comfortable lifts and escalators as well as services that help resolve customers' issues in urban spaces to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

This project will realise our commitment to continuous improvements and quality experiences for our customers, ensuring long-term safety, cost effectiveness and world-class comfort to the people in Singapore.

Special Recognition Award

Energy Saving Navigation System For Water Cooled Chilled Water Plant System

Hitachi Asia (M) Sdn Bhd

Southeast Asia’s big cities are located in the tropics and are home to scores of shopping centers, offices, and residential and community buildings. These buildings expend large amounts of energy to keep environments cool and comfortable.

Smart city developments may have further strained energy supplies, but they can also help provide solutions to promote energy conservation and address environmental issues.

In a township in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Hitachi developed the Es Navi, an air-conditioning system that can adjust cooling levels depending on factors such as weather changes and human activity in the buildings. The focus is on optimization, ensuring that indoor spaces are kept cool enough without using excessive energy.

The Es Navi system extracts and stores data digitally, which building managers can access at any given time and from anywhere. This helps to customize daily operations and achieve effective energy saving and is especially useful when managing different types of buildings across large townships.

Environment Award

e-mesh enabling Singapore's first Virtual Power Plant to help the country transition towards sustainability

Hitachi ABB Power Grids

To meet the carbon emission standards of the future, Singapore will have to tap on all renewable energy sources, relying on artificial intelligence and smart solutions to better coordinate and manage all its energy sources efficiently. With lower capital costs and technology advancements, distributed energy resources are increasingly deployed and integrated into Singapore’s power grid.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids' e-mesh™ PowerStore™ battery energy storage solutions will provide grid stability to the VPP infrastructure by balancing intermittent generation with smart and dynamic loads. Eventually, these VPPs will allow electricity produced by solar and other green sources to be integrated intelligently, simulating a utility scale power system.

Additionally, VPPs which combine large number of distributed assets from behind-the-meter including rooftop solar, battery storage and other assets like electric vehicles and smart thermostats form a much larger, aggregated resource that can serve energy or power functions on the grid. These innovations have been growing around the world, notably in Australia, the US, and Japan.

Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Hitachi Plays Santa 2020 (A Virtual Edition): Adopt a Wish

Hitachi Asia Ltd.

Hitachi Plays Santa (HPS) 2017 was initially conceived to give back to society and unite the GoCs in Singapore to foster and strengthen the One Hitachi spirit. For our fourth annual Hitachi Plays Santa in 2020, we wanted to continue this mission of contributing to society, especially since 2020 was a difficult year for everybody and many people's hopes and dreams for the year went unfulfilled. For HPS2020, we decided to work with the Down Syndrome Association (DSA) of Singapore. Members of DSA were hit especially hard by the pandemic – as many special needs children thrive in conditions of routine, the rapid and sudden changes were extremely difficult to cope with. Many of these DSA members grew extremely restless at home from the isolation, and the inability to go to the DSA centre for their regular activities was a challenging adjustment for them to make. We thus organised HPS2020 to make a positive difference in the lives of these individuals by making their wishes come true.

Hitachi employees from 10 Hitachi GoCs in Singapore came together to adopt over 160 wishes from DSA members. This involved gathering individual wishes from members of DSA and allowing Hitachi staff members to choose which wish they wanted to adopt. Subsequently, these presents were delivered to DSA Centre, where they were distributed to DSA members by MD Sasaki, who represented the Hitachi Group due to safe distancing limitations.

This yearly initiative is one of the ways Hitachi Asia gives back to society. However, the pandemic severely restricted our ability to organise the event. Despite this, the organising committee - and many fellow Hitachi Group employees - were undeterred by this and innovated in order to successfully carry out this first virtual Hitachi Plays Santa 2020, with a sizeable number of wishes being adopted and fulfilled. Ultimately, by successfully adopting each member's wishes and delivering them the presents they wanted for Christmas, we were able to brighten their Christmases and bring happiness into each household, directly improving their quality of lives - despite the difficulties the pandemic brought about.