Series of Meetings on FY2020 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems to be Held

1. Background

Against the backdrop of recent trends in changes in the conventional energy demand-supply structures, specifically, [i] steep decline of the costs involved in photovoltaic power generation, [ii] development of digital technologies, [iii] advancement of electricity system reforms, [iv] consumers demanding renewable energy and actions for meeting the demand (RE100, SDGs, etc.), [v] public demand for enhanced resilience of electricity supply systems focusing on natural disasters whose frequent occurrence is expected, and [vi] the public’s growing attention to revitalization of regional economies taking advantage of renewable energy; ANRE and MOE have been holding meetings of the Platform for Distributed Energy Systems. These meetings are opportunities to bring together a variety of related players toward creation of new businesses related to a distributed energy model. They encourage such players to share case examples of leading efforts and hold discussions and deliberations on challenges and other issues and to jointly create new value through these discussions, etc.

The FY2019 meetings of the Platform for Distributed Energy Systems provided explanations of the latest case examples of distributed energy models and also provided opportunities for over 240 participants from 190 companies and associations to hold cross-sectoral discussions on challenges in dissemination of distributed energy models and other issues.

Moreover, as a recent effort, in October 2020, Prime Minister Suga declared the goal of realizing a carbon-neutral, decarbonized society by 2050.

The importance of distributed energy models, including renewable energy, is expected to further increase in the future.

2. Outline of the FY2020 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems

As FY2020 efforts, ANRE and MOE will hold a kick-off symposium in early February 2021 and meetings for exchanging views on specific subjects from February to March 2021, taking into consideration the results of the FY2019 meetings and opinions presented at the meetings.

This initiative is part of the activities by the Collaboration Team for the Creation of Regional Circulatory Symbiosis and Establishment of Distributed Energy Systems, a body jointly established by METI and MOE on April 12, 2019.

3. Details of the FY2020 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems

(1) Information on registration

If you are interested in efforts by the FY2020 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems, please make use of the following registration form to register for the meetings.

When the secretariat completes your registration, it will send you the information on the kick-off symposium and meetings of the FY2021 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems, as well as information on future efforts, etc. related to distributed energy

• Registration form (in Japanese) :

Closing date of the registration: 17:00, February 4 (Thur.), 2021

Target entities: Companies, associations, municipalities, academic experts, etc. related to distributed energy

Notes:

1. If you click the “Registration form” link above, you will be taken to the website of the Japan Research Institute, Limited (secretariat), an operator of the FY2020 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems. Complete your registration on the website.

2. If multiple persons belonging to the same company have completed separate registrations, their information will be collectively managed by the secretariat.

3. New registration for this fiscal year (2021) is necessary even if you registered for the FY2019 Platform for Distributed Energy Systems and attended the meetings.

4. The Japan Research Institute, Limited will never make use of the personal information that you have registered for purposes other than the administration of registered members for the platform and communications with them concerning information on the platform, pursuant to the Policies for Protection of Personal Information of the company shown in the registration form. For details, see the registration form.

5. Information you have registered will be processed under METI’s Rules for Protection and Management of Personal Information as well as MOE’s Rules for Protection and Management of Stored Personal Information and the ministries will never make use of such information for purposes other than the administration of registered members for the platform and communications with them concerning information on the platform.

(2) Information on the kick-off symposium

The secretariat is scheduled to release a video clip of the symposium in early February 2021.

It will announce details of the symposium, e.g., a URL for access, to people who have participated in the symposium.

Scheduled program

1. Opening remarks

Mr. Ogasawara Yasuhi, Director, Climate Change Policy Division, Global Environment Bureau, MOE

2. Future approaches to advancing the Platform for Distributed Energy Systems

3. Video messages from academic experts

Dr. Takamura Yukai, Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, the University of Tokyo
Dr. Hayashi Yasuhiro, Professor, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, as well as Dean, Advanced Collaborative Research Organization for Smart Society, Waseda University

4.  Explanations for subjects discussed at FY2020 meetings

5.  Speeches related to the subjects to be discussed at the meetings

• Subject 1:
  Presentation by Mr. Nomoto Kenji, Managing Officer as well as Director, Strategic Business Unit, Strategy and Technology Development Division, Kandenko, Co., Ltd.
• Subject 2:
  Presentation by Mr. Yamaguchi Takeshi, Principal Director, Office on Global Warming and Energy Measures, Environment Policy Division, Environmental Effort Promotion Department, Environment Bureau, Kumamoto City
• Subject 3:
  Presentation by Ms. Kaneko Kiyo, Representative of the Secretariat, Saiene 100 Sengen REAction

6.  Closing remarks

Mr. Shirai Toshiyuki, Director, Advanced Energy Systems and Structure Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, ANRE, METI

(3) Information on online meetings for exchanging views

From February to March 2021, meetings for exchanging views will be held by taking advantage of an online meeting tool. Details of the respective meetings will be announced to the people who have completed the registration above.

Division in Charge

Advanced Energy Systems and Structure Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy