Yanekara

Yanekara is a deep tech startup spun out of the University of Tokyo, focused on distributed energy resources and smart grid technology. Based in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture (near Tokyo), the company operates at the intersection of technology and energy with a vision to build a 'distributed power network equivalent to the 21st-century Kurobe Dam.' Yanekara cloud-controls a network of residential and commercial power assets — including EV chargers, home batteries, and heat pump water heaters (EcoCute) — aggregating them into a virtual power plant. Its product lineup includes a home battery storage system designed for easy, low-cost solar integration, and a plug-in EV charging controller for commercial vehicles. The company's technology enables households and businesses to maximize the value of rooftop solar energy through intelligent storage and grid coordination. Yanekara targets the Japanese residential and commercial energy market, addressing the country's push toward renewable energy resilience.