In order to realize a global network of renewable fuels at an early stage, this research division will give a bird's-eye view of system technologies and social systems related to renewable fuels, and summarize recommendations aimed at accelerating social implementation.
The following working groups (hereinafter referred to as "WG") will play a central role in the study and disseminate the study results through public symposiums.
| WG1 |
Techno-economic analysis and LCA of global renewable hydrogen production |
| WG2 |
Scenario study for the acceptance of renewable fuels by society |
| WG3 |
Local renewable energy management using renewable fuels |
WG1：Techno-economic analysis and LCA of global renewable hydrogen production
- Plant design scalable to GW scale
- Conceptual design of a dedicated hydrogen production plant using renewable electricity (PV, wind), storage batteries, and water electrolysis.
- Scaling up from MW to GW scale will be considered based on the results of small-scale demonstrations currently underway. (Miyazaki: sub-kW PV + storage batteries + DC grid; QLD: 30 kW + storage batteries + DC grid)
- Overseas sites and benchmarking
- Suitable overseas locations will be considered for different renewable energy sources, such as PV, wind, and hydropower.
- In addition to power generation sources, water sources (water quantity and quality) and transportation to export ports will also be considered.
- In Australia, we will search for suitable sites in cooperation with local partners.
- Estimation of hydrogen production cost and study of techno-economics of power generation by hydrogen mixed combustion and dedicated combustion
- Investigation of optimal capacity combination of power generation, storage, and water electrolysis depending on the power generation source and climatic conditions
- Investigation of the feasibility of intermittent operation of water electrolysis systems (polymer membrane type, alkaline type)
- Study on the trend of power generation using hydrogen as a fuel source, and study on the cost of power generation based on hydrogen cost.
- Intercomparison and techno-economic analysis of hydrogen carriers
- Extension from cost estimation of hydrogen and power generation to LCA.
WG2：Scenario study for the acceptance of renewable fuels by society
- Study of transition scenarios assuming changes in social conditions from 2020 to 2030
- Systematic survey on global policy trends on renewable fuel
- Analysis on the effectiveness of Japan's renewable fuel policy
- Identification of issues for global social system transformation, including Japan, Australia, and others
- Formulate scenarios for the formation of a social system for global renewable fuel distribution
- Establishing a mechanism for the formation of a global market for renewable fuels
- Systematic survey on ESG trends such as green bonds
- Formulation of strategy for distribution of environmental value of renewable energy
- Systematic survey on issues for diffusion of renewable fuel production projects
- Formulation of renewable fuel dissemination strategies utilizing green bonds and other financial mechanisms
- Collaboration with related organizations for implementation of renewable fuel dissemination strategy
WG3：Local renewable energy management using renewable fuels
- Utilization of renewable fuels (hydrogen, ammonia and methane): use in mobility and industries
- Consider distributed energy management using renewable energy and renewable hydrogen: local production for local consumption, complete independence, and areal use
- Consideration of a wide range of renewable energy and fuel use: e.g., commercial, logistics, agricultural use, etc.
Others:Development of autothermal NH3 decomposition catalyst
Research topic
- NEDO Project: Technological Development of Autothermal Ammonia Decomposition Catalyst for Large-Scale Ammonia Decomposition※1
- Development of new auto-thermal ammonia decomposition catalyst assuming large-scale demand
- Establishment of specifications and production methods for shaped catalysts for mass production of catalysts
- Development of ammonia decomposition process suitable for autothermal system, conceptual design of commercial equipment
- Performance evaluation of newly developed catalyst by high-pressure bench test
- Evaluation of the combination of autothermal ammonia cracking and power generation technology
※1 NEDO press release
