The purpose of Maeda’s visit was to learn about the reality of and challenges for cutting-edge renewable energy research, with a view to further accelerate initiatives by industry and academia towards the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

The energy cycle can be classified into three phases: generation, transportation and usage. Carbon neutrality cannot be realized unless CO2 emissions are reduced to zero not only in energy use in our daily lives, but also in all other phases of the energy cycle.

This is why it is incredibly important to consider energy policy and industry policy as a complete package, working hand-in-hand with research institutions because otherwise, carbon neutrality will remain a distant dream.

Many people in Fukushima and across the Tohoku region are even now still obliged to live as evacuees. Maeda made the following remarks before starting his tour of FREA:

During his visit, Maeda asked researchers various questions about things that captured his interest.

As Maeda himself comes from a technical background, the interactions were quite technical. There seemed to be no end to his questions even while walking to a next stop, seeking to find any common ground between the research being undertaken at FREA and the initiatives being advanced by Toyota, and to identify ways to link the two.

Among all these questions, the most specific interaction concerned solar panels.

The solar panels being developed by FREA are capable of absorbing sunlight on both sides, both front and back, in order to generate electricity efficiently. This means that a solar power installation no longer needs to be limited to south-facing locations, greatly increasing the degree of freedom. Furthermore, the lightweight FREA system enables it to be installed in locations where it was not previously possible due to weight restrictions.

After hearing this, Maeda smiled at the accompanying reporters and said, “I’m concerned about the looks the reporters are giving us,” as he shared a specific image he had in mind.

The next topic to be discussed was energy management to achieve maximum utilization of renewable energy.

As long as humans engage in activities, it is not realistic to expect that we can completely reduce CO2 emissions to zero. One of the goals that FREA is aiming to achieve is to make renewable energy the main energy source as a mean of reducing CO2 emissions.

However, the volume of power that can be generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power depends on the time of day and weather patterns. This is why research continues to be advanced into methods that would enable a stable supply of electricity.

Hearing this, Maeda noted, “It’s a situation similar to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).” An HEV is capable of optimally controlling the balance between the engine and the motor in ever-changing conditions as the driver presses down or lets up the accelerator pedal. The similarity with renewable energy is therefore, “controlling and stabilizing something that fluctuates.”

Due to the similarity in thinking behind the two technologies, Maeda expressed hopes that if HEV researchers and renewable energy researchers could exchange technologies, they might be able to come up with some new ideas.

There was also a moment during the visit when Maeda found himself lost for words.

It was during discussions about simulations to ensure a stable supply of renewable energy.

FREA is implementing various simulations to facilitate the introduction of renewable energy into the existing energy network, through which it would be easy to manage supply, as is the case for thermal power generation. Through research activities, FREA continues to conduct simulations under many conditions, with the aim of gradually increasing the ratio of renewable energy.

Maeda was amazed by the ambitious scale of the project, then seemed to be perplexed, often lost for words. He responded the following as to why:

Next on the itinerary was an introduction to research into wind power and ammonia, where visitors heard about the importance of energy saving.

In simple terms, the shortcut to carbon neutrality is finding a way to power our lives without energy that comes from fossil fuels as much as possible. In other words, energy saving. There are actually two energy saving methods as follows.

The first is “energy saving by not using.” This method is a simple matter of using less energy, but brings with it the possibility that sometimes this could come at the expense of consumer comfort.

Secondly, it is “energy saving through creativity in the ways we handle energy.” As with the solar panels mentioned earlier, boosting energy efficiency could be the way to save energy without burdening the consumer.

Maeda pointed out that when it comes to energy saving, unless the customers are happy, it will never spread widely. He went on to note that, “The simulations being researched here at FREA are very useful, and we need to promote energy saving as a package with technological development.” He then talked about the importance of dealing with energy saving based on an awareness of how it will be accepted by society.

The research currently being conducted by FREA will not lead to the reduction of CO2 emissions unless it is implemented and used. So, how can it be implemented? That depends on whether various needs of each region can be met.

It is important, therefore, not to rely on a single energy source, but to provide multiple options and allow customers to choose the best one for them. Renewable energy is just a single phrase, but it encompasses a range of different energy types, including solar, wind, and geothermal. There are also various ways to produce and use hydrogen.

The purpose of this visit was to explore all possibilities, and to find that FREA can also collaborate with companies like Toyota to bring their research to the wider world. Maeda was full of conviction when he stated the following;