Research and development
Technology for solutions and progress
Refining our technology and continuing to support the sophistication of electricity infrastructure
FEPS promotes research and development in order to meet the strict requirements of a total power system; i.e., power generation, transmission, transformation, distribution, overhead distribution, underground distribution, and consumers.
In order to meet the needs and requests of customers around the world, based on technologies that we have refined for vibration control (vibration isolation), support, transmission, and connection, each FEPS research institute replicates factors such as the natural environment and regional characteristics, proposes the development of new products and the maintenance/improvement of performance (durability, new material verification, workability, etc.), and makes development proposals.
Moving forward, the Furukawa Electric Group will continue to utilize the material capabilities that we have cultivated since our founding and expand our proposals to all industries.
Open innovation
Based on the Furukawa Electric Group’s philosophy of “Bound to innovate,” FEPS is engaged in open innovation based on our desire to “work together to bring about major innovations in society’s energy environment and be a partner in co-creating the future.” FEPS combines our own technologies with the technologies and knowledge of universities, research institutes, and power and transportation companies, and works together to create new value.
FEPS Open Innovation Roadmap 2025
Nagai Works
R&D and testing base centered on transmission and transformation
This base has various equipment and facilities required for research and development of products for overhead distribution. Examples include various electrical test equipment (including energized heat cycle test equipment for evaluating electrical performance), tensile test equipment for evaluating mechanical performance, and test spans that simulate wire behavior on actual lines. For wire behavior, the base promotes analysis technology that applies simulation software.
Mogami Testing Facility
World-class galloping demonstration test base — one of the few in Japan
We have achieved great results in observing the effects of galloping on overhead distribution facilities and in developing products that suppress galloping. In recent years, FEPS is also focusing on promoting digitalization; for example, remote observation of various data and image processing analysis of electric wire behavior. Facilities that can observe full-scale galloping are rare in the world, and results from our test base have been widely announced both in Japan and overseas.
Ebina Works
R&D and testing base focusing mainly on underground power distribution
This base has various testing equipment required for research, development, and testing of products for underground distribution lines. Examples include equipment for power frequency withstand voltage tests, various electrical test equipment (including lightning impulse test equipment), tensile test equipment for evaluating mechanical performance, and hardness testing equipment.
Yokosuka Works
R&D and testing base focusing mainly on overhead distribution
This base has various testing equipment required for research, development, and testing of products for overhead distribution lines. Examples include various electrical test equipment (including energized heat cycle test equipment for evaluating electrical performance), tensile test equipment for evaluating mechanical performance, and salt spray test equipment for evaluating environmental resistance. The base also promotes verification of workability by using simulated columns that simulate actual work and product development using 3D-CAD/3D printers.
Nikko Research Center
Demonstration testing base centered on transmission and transformation
This base has various equipment and facilities required for research and development of products for overhead distribution. Examples include a high-voltage test facility for evaluating electrical performance, an accelerated aging device for evaluating the weather resistance of organic insulation products, and a large thermostatic chamber.
Main results of R&D and testing
The base observes the state of the products under high voltage, and takes measures to prevent noise and radio interference by improving corona characteristics. FEPS is also accelerating the development of new products for overhead distribution lines by evaluating the weather resistance of organic insulation products.
Hiratsuka F-CO Development Section Laboratory
R&D and testing base specializing in resin and rubber products
This is the only R&D base specializing in rubber and resin products at FEPS, which handles various types of products. The Hiratsuka F-CO Development Section Laboratory is located inside the Hiratsuka Works of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. The laboratory often engages in personnel exchanges; for example, consulting and sharing of experiment and test equipment and consultation with Furukawa Electric’s research laboratories and business divisions that also handle resin products.
