Chubu Electric Power Co. has developed a mobile payment app for virtual currencies, and has started testing it in-house with employees using it to purchase coffee.
The company aims to make use of the ease with which individuals can make transactions using the app to develop a system where individuals can easily sell and purchase excess energy generated on their solar panels at home, although it remains to be seen whether this latest digital technology will promote effective use of renewable energy.
For the experiment, the power utility has issued "Cafe Ene Coin" — its own virtual currency — to be used on the mobile app. One coin is worth ¥1 and the money can be used to buy coffee in the office.