Hitachi, Ltd., the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and NTT DATA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic partnership focused on expanding Green Transformation (GX) business initiatives in Australia.
The collaboration aims to address Australia's target of a 43% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, a goal that has increased pressure on large companies to provide transparent and verifiable ESG data under the Australian government's Safeguard Mechanism. This has heightened the demand for digital solutions to manage energy consumption, particularly in the commercial building sector.
The partnership will utilize the UTS campus as a Living Laboratory, a real-world environment where industry, academia, government, and citizens can co-create new technologies and services. This initiative will serve as a proving ground for the development, value verification, and commercialization of advanced GX solutions, which the parties plan to scale across the Australian market.
The first project under this MoU involves the localization of Hitachi's ESG data management solution, EcoAssist-Enterprise, for the Australian market. Unlike generic monitoring tools, EcoAssist-Enterprise is being tailored to comply with Australia's environmental frameworks, such as the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). Initial testing across multiple UTS buildings has confirmed the solution's effectiveness in visualizing and managing energy consumption.
Following successful trials, the deployment of EcoAssist-Enterprise will be expanded at UTS before rolling out to the broader market. A key element of this partnership is the integration of EcoAssist-Enterprise with NTT DATA’s AI-based air-conditioning optimization solution, HUCAST. This system uses AI to predict weather patterns and human occupancy flows, allowing for real-time adjustments to air-conditioning systems to enhance energy efficiency without compromising occupant comfort.
Beyond the commercial building sector, Hitachi, UTS, and NTT DATA plan to leverage insights from the Living Laboratory to expand GX solutions into other industries. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to responsible innovation and aims to accelerate the realization of a sustainable society in Australia.