Establishment of both advanced energy management and enhanced resilience for the sake of spreading renewable energy and distributed power sources

Toho Gas Co., Ltd.

Energy system configuration diagram of Minato AQULS

Outline

Through feasibility evaluation of virtual power plants (VPP), we are working on developing technology for electricity supply and demand coordination and are moving forward toward practical viability. In this way, we will contribute to expanding the amount of renewable energy installed. Also, through actual operation of smart energy systems composed of distributed power supply and heating equipment, we are accumulating energy management know-how that contributes to extremely minimizing CO2 emissions and enhancing resilience. We will also investigate and research CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) technology and combine the technology with the smart energy systems in order to contribute to the attainment of net zero carbon.

Description

【VPP feasibility evaluation】
Aiming to install the maximum amount of renewable energy sources, whose output tends to be unstable, and to utilize them stably and effectively, we will build VPP, which control multiple electrical power resources on the consumer side as though they were a single power plant, and will tackle feasibility evaluation utilizing such VPPs for electricity supply and demand adjustment. In order to hold the power frequency constant, it is necessary to balance supply and demand. That is why we are tackling the development of technology for the sake of establishing control technology to detect frequency fluctuation arising from fluctuations in renewable energy output and electrical loads and to automatically adjust output with using private power generators, electricity storage systems, etc. And we will move forward to practical use, thus contributing to the expanded introduction of renewable energy.

【Actual operation of smart energy systems】
We are proceeding to develop an eco-friendly smart town named "Minato AQULS" in Minato ward, Nagoya, and working on energy management of the entire area with advanced energy system in order for energy conservation and reduction of CO2 emission. This system is composed of multiple distributed power supply, such as solar electrical power generation facilities, large storage batteries, gas cogeneration system, Solid dioxide fuel cell, etc., multiple heating equipment with using exhaust heat and unused heat, and a community energy management system (CEMS). And we are making effort to optimize energy supply and demand for the entire area by utilizing this system. Through actual operation of this energy system, we will accumulate energy management know-how that contributes to extremely minimizing CO2 emissions and enhancing resilience.

【Investigation and research into CCU technology】
We will tackle investigation and research into CCU technology with targeting CO2 in emission gases from equipment that uses city gas, and so on. And we will proceed with studies of the practical possibility of this technology in combination with the smart energy systems in order to contribute to the attainment of net zero carbon.