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Demonstration Project for Next-Generation Remote O&M utilizing All-Photonics Network (APN)-IOWN －Advancing and Enhancing Sustainability of Regional Plant Operations through Advanced Communication Technologies－

Jun 12, 2026 Press Release

Chiyoda Corporation (Chiyoda) will participate in a demonstration project on next-generation remote Operation and Maintenance (O&M) utilizing All-Photonics Network (APN*1)-IOWN*2, jointly implemented with NTT EAST, Inc. (NTT EAST), Siemens AG (Siemens) and Emerson Japan Group (Emerson), as part of the 'Regional Society DX Promotion Package Project' led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.


1. Background

Regional Plants are facing increasingly severe challenges, including labor shortages and skilled engineer retirement, leading to a critical shortage of O&M personnel. Onsite operational burdens are increasing due to factors such as the demand to address the issue of aging facilities and ensure rapid recovery after disasters. Sustaining conventional operation models that rely on permanent onsite staffing is becoming more challenging.

Chiyoda has extensive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Plant O&M experience, and promotes operational advancement through digital technologies. NTT EAST has also been developing network infrastructure for manufacturing DX and is actively advancing initiatives to enhance networks and improve operational efficiency by leveraging advanced communication solutions, including the characteristics of IOWN.

In this demonstration project, Chiyoda will integrate NTT EAST's solutions with the cutting-edge communication infrastructure and Plant Operational Technologies (OT) of Siemens' virtual PLC*3 and Emerson's Ethernet-APL*4. Project partners will validate a new approach that facilitates remote O&M equivalent to onsite performance.


2.　Demonstration Details

The demonstration will leverage the high-capacity, low-latency and zero-jitter communication characteristics of IOWN to evaluate the feasibility of remote monitoring and control for managing and operating multiple Plants with a limited number of personnel.
Specifically, Chiyoda's Koyasu Office & Research Park and the NTT Central Training Center of NTT EAST will be connected via IOWN network. Through real-time remote equipment monitoring and control and anomaly detection from remote locations, the project will verify operational quality, safety and responsiveness, while realizing an offsite operational model.
By leveraging IOWN, this initiative will examine whether equipment anomalies, traditionally identified through subtle differences in sound and vibration by skilled technicians, can be accurately detected remotely by transmitting large volumes of sensor data in real time, which is challenging to achieve with conventional communications. The demonstration will also verify whether IOWN's low-latency and jitter-free communication characteristics enable stable remote operation and control, equivalent to onsite conditions, with the high level of safety and reliability required for Plant operations.

Results of this demonstration will be integrated with Chiyoda's existing solution, plantOSTM*5, thereby contributing to improved safety and efficiency of regional Plants and addressing challenges such as labor shortages and disaster response.
　


3．Company Roles

Chiyoda

・ Lead entity for constructing a simulated plant environment
・ Lead entity for the plant system demonstration

NTT EAST

・ Overall project management and promotion
・ Provider of the IOWN
・ Lead entity for communication system demonstration

Siemens

・ Provision of virtual PLC

Emerson

・ Provision of Ethernet-APL compatible devices


4. Demonstration Period

July 2026 to February 2027 (planned)


5. Outlook

Through this demonstration, we anticipate validating operational safety, maintainability, stability and related aspects in demonstration environments for Plants identified as candidates for implementation in FY 2027. We aim to establish a practical and sustainable remote O&M model, thereby contributing to the realization of sustainable growth in the industrial infrastructure sector, from FY 2028.

　

Notes:

  1. All-Photonics Network (APN) is a communication service that dedicates optical wavelengths across the entire network. NTT EAST began offering IOWN 1.0 in March 2023 and launched 'All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN', with a maximum capacity of 800 Gbps, in December 2024.
    IOWN APN | Press Release | NTT
  2. Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) is a concept for a network and information processing infrastructure, including terminals, that optimizes individuals and the entire system based on all information. It leverages innovative optical-centered technologies to provide high-speed, high-capacity communications and vast computational resources. IOWN | NTT
  3. https://www.siemens.com/en-us/products/simatic/s7-1500v/
  4. https://www.ethernet-apl.org/
  5. Chiyoda Corporation trademark. An integrated operation and maintenance solution that combines on-site physical support with advanced analysis services and cutting-edge digital technologies such as IoT, cloud computing and AI. By integrating these capabilities, plantOS™ supports operation and maintenance activities across a wide range of industrial facilities and plants.


For further information, please contact:
Chiyoda Corporation PR & Sustainability Advanced Section
Email: chiyoda_pr@chiyodacorp.com
URL: https://www.chiyodacorp.com/en/contact/index.php

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