The Japanese government's goal of "effectively zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050".
Regarding this, WWF Japan, an international environmental protection organization, has recently made a proposal on a concrete path to realize it.
First, 10 years later, I asked WWF Japan about the content that emphasizes the importance of setting goals with an eye on 2030.
One of the members who put together the recommendations, Masako Konishi, a specialized director.
An expert in climate change and energy policy, he also attended the 2015 COP21 Paris Conference, where the Paris Agreement was signed.
Set goals for 2030
(Question)
What should we do to achieve zero in 2050?
(Mr. Konishi)
First of all, what is most required of Japan today is to raise the greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) for 2030 submitted by Japan to the Paris Agreement.
We believe that the current government target of -26% compared to 2013 is far from achieving zero in 2050.
First, aim for a significant repatriation of NDC in 2030.
And to make that possible, the government's envisioned energy mix for 2030 (combination of power generation methods) must be significantly revised.
(Mr. Konishi)
This is the energy supply composition that we are trying to realize in 2030.
The left is the current government goal, and the right is the goal we have proposed this time.
(Note: The Government of Japan will announce a new "ambitious" government target to replace this target by next year.)
We will eliminate coal-fired power plants, which emit the most CO2, by 2030. I think it is possible to do so.
Therefore, renewable energy will cover about 48%.
(Question)
Is that possible?
(Mr. Konishi)
Yes.
We outsourced research to the System Gijutsu Research Institute and conducted a simulation to estimate whether it is possible.
Using AMEDAS 2000 standard meteorological data at 842 locations nationwide, we collected and calculated data on the amount of solar and wind power that can be generated every hour for 365 days a year.
Then, based on the actual amount of electricity that exists in the 10 divided electric power areas, we investigated whether there would be excess or deficiency in the electric power generated by simulated natural energy without using coal-fired power.
As a result, it was shown that 47.7% of the core infrastructure of the current electric power system can be covered by renewable energy.
For the spread of renewable energy
(Question)
However, it is not easy to realize.
(Mr. Konishi)
Yes.
In order to improve the use of renewable energy, it is extremely important to review the operation of inter-regional interconnection lines that connect the electric power systems of electric power companies that exist in each region.
In addition, there are many issues such as creating a control system that responds to renewable energy that fluctuates depending on the weather, and increasing the battery.
However, I think that these are more of a social barrier, such as a review of operations, rather than technical difficulties.
I would like the Government of Japan to support this point.
Japan's trump hydrogen energy
(Question)
Japan is lagging behind the global market in renewable energy technology competition.
(Mr. Konishi)
Yes.
Unfortunately, Japan seems to be leading the way in the development of renewable energy technologies such as solar power and wind power.
But there is hope.
For example, hydrogen energy.
Hydrogen energy is a new technology, and I think Japan has the potential to lead the world.
Surplus electricity is inevitably generated when electricity demand is met by renewable energy that fluctuates depending on the weather.
However, if the surplus electricity can be used to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, hydrogen can be used as new energy such as fuel for fuel cell FCVs.
This is also the trump card for decarbonization.
Industrial transformation from corona wreck
(Question) The
only concern is the economic stagnation caused by the new coronavirus.
Is it possible to make a major industrial transformation under this circumstance?
(Mr. Konishi)
That
's
right.
To that end, it is important to know how serious the government is.
What we can expect is that the government has clearly positioned the decarbonization field such as renewable energy as a future growth field.
This month, the government announced the creation of a 2 trillion yen fund to support decarbonized R & D, and plans to deduct up to 10% of the investment amount from corporate tax for companies that have been working on tax reform next year. It is shown.
Coupled with this government stance, we are also aware that more and more companies are seeing decarbonization as the next business opportunity.
On the other hand, the concern is whether Japan can give up the use of coal, including coal-fired power, in the future.
It is still a field where profits can be expected, and it cannot be said that the policy of the Japanese government has been properly established in this regard.
Japan's emphasis on coal in the energy sector has been criticized by the international community.
It can be said that it is the Achilles heel of Japan.
(Interviewer: Director of International Broadcasting Station Renato Yamazaki Emiko)