Summary

Entrusted Work Concerning the Development and Disclosure of Basic
Zoning Information Concerning Renewable Energies (FY 2019)
The introduction of renewable energies is important not only as a countermeasure for global
warming but also from such viewpoints as establishing energy security, developing autonomousand scattered energy systems and creating new industries and jobs. For this reason, in an effort
to develop basic data to examine measures to introduce and spread the use of renewableenergies in the coming years, the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) conducted the “Study on
the Potential for the Introduction of Renewable Energies” in FY 2009 and FY 2010, the“Development of Basic Zoning Information Concerning Renewable Energies” in FY 2011
through FY 2016 and the “Development and Disclosure of Basic Zoning Data Concerning
Renewable Energies” in FY 2017and FY2018, thereby estimating the abundance as well as
introduction potential of renewable energies (PV power, wind power, small and medium-scalehydropower, geothermal heat, solar heat and underground heat) in Japan and their possible
introduction amounts by different scenarios and, at the same time, developing basic zoning
information.
The work conducted in FY 2019 included the enhancement of functions of a prototype WebGIS
system and the revision of the summary document featuring the work in previous years
concerning information and tools developed so far by the MoE pertaining to renewable energies
from the viewpoint of improving the convenience of such information, etc. for users.
1.

Enhancement of Functions of the Information Service Site Using the WebGIS

Based on the results of the verification work conducted in the previous year regarding the needfor additional functional features, measures designed to improve the portal site wereimplemented. To be more precise, these measures included the development of a site to obtain
the opinions of users and improvement of the user interface (colours, display function, etc.)
Moreover, the development of a link API with EADAS has made it possible to continue thelink even if changes are made to EADAS.
2.

Review of the Calculation Method and Numerical Information Pertaining toEstimation of the Introduction Potential of Renewable Energies in Previous Yearsand Renewal of the Database

The potential of each type of renewable energy was re-estimated based on the renewed commonsocial conditions and the plan to revise the calculation method and numerical information
pertaining to the estimation of such potential, both of which were examined in the FY 2018
work.
3.

Compilation of the Introduction Potential, etc. of Renewable Energies Established inPrevious Years and Revision of the Summary Document

S-1

Based on the estimation results referred to in 2. above, the reference materials and summary
document compiled in the previous year were revised.

PV PowerWind Power

Small andMediumScale
Hydropower
Geothermal
HeatTotal

4.

Table 1 Re-estimation results of renewable energy potential
Possible
PossibleIntroduction
Introduction
Introduction
Abundance
AmountAmountPotential(Installed(PowerCapacity)
Generation)
Items
Amount ofAmount of energy Amount of energy resourcesenergy resources resources in
expected to materialize when
which can beconsideration ofcertain conditions regarding
utilized by thethe constraints on business profitability are set
existing level ofextraction andtechnology
utilization
Residential(Outside the2,745,950 MW
38,320 –47,300 –buildings, etc.;
scope of the406,220 MW
504,100
public buildings, etc. survey)
GWh/yearOn-shore wind
(Estimated in the1,404,780 MW
296,140 –967,700 –power (mean annual previous year)
622,840 MW
2,012,300
wind velocity: > 5.5
GWh/yearm/s)
Offshore windpower (bottommounted or floating:> 6.5 m/s)
(Estimated in the
8,900 MW 3,210 – 4,120
17,400 –Rivers: capacity previous year)MW22,60030,000 kW
GWh/year
Steam flush (150C)(Estimated in theprevious year)-

8,150 MW4,390 – 6,020
MW

4,167,780 MW

342,060 –
1,039,200
MW

30,800 –42,200GWh/year
1,063,200 –2,581,200
GWh/year

Refinement of the Survey and Analysis Pertaining to the Renewable Energy
Introduction Results

The Entrusted Work by the Ministry of the Environment for the Detailed Survey and Analysisof the Introduction Potential Concerning Geothermal Heat Power Generation in FY 2013
produced a resources density distribution map. As additional data had been accumulated insubsequent years from borehole surveying, heat hole surveying and aerial physical probing,there was a possibility of improving the accuracy of the potential estimation. Such related data
was gathered and sorted to examine the possibility of improving the accuracy of estimation.
The results of this examination suggest that there is a possibility of improved estimation
accuracy by means of 1) active use of measured heat quantity data in the production test and 2)
designation of the reservoir depth as the relevant section of the target temperature (for example,

S-2

150C or higher) by means of defining the missing water section, of which the feasible storage
depth is clarified, with the addition of temperature distribution data.
5.

Basic Study for Refinement of the Mapping of Photovoltaic Power Generation

In addition to the resulting mapping method from the FY 2018 work entitled “BasicExamination Work for Refinement of the Mapping of Photovoltaic Power Generation”, othermethods were studied and comparative analysis of all of the methods was conducted from theviewpoint of system development. Moreover, a literature survey and interviews on precedents
were conducted with a view to realizing a PV power mapping system and the pending issues
and key points to realize such a system were sorted out.
6.

Convening of Symposium for the Introduction of Renewable Energies

Potential publicity for the introduction of renewable energies at a symposium simultaneouslywith the opening of a site providing information on renewable energies was examined.

S-3