HONOLULU – State government and energy officials joined Governor Neil Abercrombie and Japan-based New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) President Hideo Hato at the State Capitol today as the two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding to memorialize ongoing efforts between the State of Hawaii and NEDO. NEDO is an arm of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. They are set to build a first-of-its-kind smart grid demonstration project on the Island of Maui. The multi-million dollar project is aimed at improving integration of variable renewable resources, such as solar and wind power, and preparing the electric system for widespread adoption of electric vehicles.