Promoting the Spread of Renewable Energy

Okumura Corporation

Ishikari Shinko New Energy Hatsuden biomass power plant schematic

Virtual power plant (VPP) schematic (1)

Outline

Okumura Corporation is focused on renewable energy electric power business. Funded by Okumura Corporation, Ishikari Shinko New Energy Hatsuden Godo Kaisha is pushing ahead with the construction of a biomass power plant, with the goal of commencing operations from 2022. Additionally, Okumura Corporation is examining the commercial feasibility of other types of renewable energy, including wind power generation and small-scale hydroelectric power generation. Toward further spread of renewable energy, Increase in power generation from renewable energy and the efficient operation of renewable energy facilities are issues.

Description

1. Isues to be surmounted
Toward further spread of renewable energy, Increase in power generation from renewable energy and the efficient operation of renewable energy facilities are issues. Renewable energy power generating plants tend to be smaller scale facilities and don’t necessarily provide efficient solutions when used on their own, due to factors such as requiring plant investments to meet peak demand.
Virtual power plants (VPP(1)) are currently being examined in Japan; these use network systems for controlling power demand based on centralized management of various renewable energy power generating plants and power storage systems scattered around a region potentially offer functionality comparable to large-scale power generating plants.
While VPPs allow efficient energy use by combining renewable energy generation (e.g., biomass, solar power, wind power, hydroelectric) with power storage systems, these power storage systems play an important role in storing surplus power.
Work is advancing on developing batteries known as new generation batteries (2). These batteries offer greatly improved performance compared to conventional storage batteries; while these are expected to contribute to the spread of renewable energy use, a number of issues remain before they can enter practical use, including cost and durability.

2. Targets for propagation
① Increased power generation from renewable energy such as biomass, solar power, wind power, and hydroelectric
② Contributing to net zero emissions by increasing the efficiency of power generating systems through VPP technologies

3. Specific actions
Promote environmentally-friendly renewable energy projects and study the use of VPP technologies and new generation batteries to net zero emissions.