2015 Vol.10

2015 Vol.10

Foreword

03

Developing Long Term Measures for Mitigating Climate Change
Yoichi Kaya, President, RITE

Feature04

On Synthesis Report of IPCC 5th Assessment Report
Mitsutsune Yamaguchi, Special Advisor
Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis GroupR&D Activities
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12

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20

Research & Coordination Group・The Current Status and Issues on CCS

Systems Analysis Group・Research Activities in Systems Analysis Group

Molecular Microbiology and Global Biorefinery Trends and Research Overview of・
the Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Biotechnology Group
Chemical Research Group ・30

Challenges in the Advanced Industrialization of CO2 Capture Technologies and theDevelopment of Inorganic Membranes and Membrane Reactors for H2 Energy Production

CO2 Storage Research Group・Moving toward Commercialization of CO2 Storage Technologies

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46

Topics

56

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication

64Foreword

RITE Today 2015

Developing Long Term Measures for
Mitigating Climate Change
Yoichi Kaya
President, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth

The basic role of our research institute is to investigate the long term
strategy for resolving global warming issues and to develop related technologies.
Here I describe two of the issues which we believe to be particularly important.
The first is to envisage decarbonization scenarios of Japan and the world.
It has been widely discussed all over the world to limit the rise in global surface
temperature to less than 2 degrees since the pre-industrial era. Whether thistarget is appropriate or not is still controversial, but the widely known idea for realizing this target is to halve the global emission of greenhouse gases by 2050.
In fact our prime minister Abe, at the stage of his first cabinet seven years ago,
made an announcement of achieving this target under the name “Cool Earth”.
However taking into account the fact that developing countries are already responsible for 60% of the world greenhouse gas emissions and their emissions
are still growing very rapidly, we have to confess that it is very hard to realize thistarget.
However recent IPCC reports published in 2013 and 2014 suggest that
this target of limiting the temperature rise to 2 degrees should be reinvestigatedin two aspects. One is that the new scenario analysis made in these reports
shows the necessary reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2050 can be 22%
instead of 50%. The second is that a recent study shows the climate sensitivity (the rise in global surface temperature when CO2 emission doubles) may beconsiderably lower than the values evaluated in the past. If the climate sensitivityof which the best estimate is now considered to be 3°C is lowered only by 0.5°C,
according to the simulation by our institute’s model, the reduction in greenhousegas emission by 2050 necessary for achieving the 2°C target is almost zero whencompared with the present emission. In other words, the strategy leading up to
the 2 degree target becomes much more achievable at least by 2050. More detailed analysis is therefore needed on the path connecting to the 2 degree target.
The second issue we believe to be important is realization of CO2 captureand storage (CCS) technology. In order to stop climate change, eventually, according to IPCC and IEA, we have to realize a substantial reduction of CO2 emission which almost inevitably requires development and implementation of CCS allover the world. Our institute already made an experiment of CO2 storage in Niigata, and now supports the Tomakomai CO2 storage experiment under the sponsorship of the government. In order to promote large scale introduction of CCS allover the world, we should make efforts for realizing much less costly and energy
efficient capture technology, and safer storage technology.
In addition to these two issues, we see many other important research issues on climate change, and our institute make utmost efforts to resolve them.

Feature〈On Synthesis Report of IPCC 5 Assessment Report〉
th

RITE Today 2015

On Synthesis Report of
IPCC 5th Assessment Report

Mitsutsune Yamaguchi
Special Advisor

In this column, I will make comments on the IPCC Synthesis Report (SYR)
that integrates three Working Groups’ 5th Assessment Reports (AR5)1). The SYR
consists of the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) and underlying texts, but I will
focus on the SPM unless otherwise specified.

1. Main Contents of SYR1) Each working group focusses on
the Physical Science Basis (Working Group 1), Impacts, Adaptation
and Vulnerability (Working Group 2),
and Mitigation (Working Group 3)
respectively.



1.1 Observed Changes and their Causes
The SYR describes that temperature increases since 1950 are unprecedented and this is caused mainly by emissions of the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
due to human activities. The report also points out that global average surface
temperatures have increased by 0.85°C between 1880-2012 and sea level has
risen by 19cm between 1901-2010, and that these changes are driven largely byeconomic and population growth.
1.2 Future Climate Changes, Risks and Impacts
Continued emissions increase will cause further temperature increase andadversely affect the climate system. To limit these to happen, a combination ofsubstantial emissions reduction and adaptation is necessary, the report says. Remarkable findings of the report are that there exists an almost linear relationshipbetween cumulative CO2 emissions and temperature increase up to 2100, and tolimit temperature increase below 2°C with a probability of >66%, the margin for
future emissions will be around 1000Gt. In view of the fact that the annual CO2
emissions in 2010 were 38Gt_CO2 (WG3 report), this threshold would be hit inaround 26 years.
It is noteworthy the report concludes that global economic damage due toclimate change is difficult to estimate.
1.3 Future Pathways for Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development
On these items, please refer to the next article by Dr. Keigo Akimoto. Herethe author would like to summarize the key messages as follows:
Decision making on to what extent we should cope with climate change
should be based on the risks and benefit of response measures, taking accountof various social aspects such as economics, uncertainty, ethics, equity, andvalue judgment etc. Sustainable development and equity are a basis for assessing climate policies. Also climate strategies that are consistent with sustainable
development should consider co-benefits, and trade-offs and risks that may arise
from response measures.

Feature〈On Synthesis Report of IPCC 5 Assessment Report〉

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2. Several concerns about the SYR and future considerations

2) Smith et al. (2009) “Assessing
dangerous climate change throughan update of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)‘‘reasons for concern’’, Proceedingsof the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
http://climatechange.pbworks.com/f/
Assessing%20dangerous%20clima
te%20change%20reasons%20for%
20concern%20PNAS%202009.pdf
3) Refer to the footnote to the Figure 19.4 of AR5/WG2/Chapter 19.

2.1 Revision of Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity
In AR5, equilibrium climate sensitivity was revised to 1.5-4.5°C, (in AR4, it
was 2.0-4.5°C), and no best estimate was shown due to lack of agreement. The
importance of this change will be discussed in the next article. My question is why
this crucially important information and its impact to response strategies were nottouched upon in SPM, though there are some explanations in the SYR text.
2.2 Substantial Increase of Risks due to Climate Change
The attached figures (generally called Reasons for Concern) both show
five categories of key risks from climate change, including loss of biodiversity,
distribution of impacts, and large scale singular events. These figures are crucial
for decision-making to cope with climate change. Figure A comes from Smith etal. (2009)2) and Figure B comes from AR5/WG2 (2014). It is very clear that risks
have increased in Figure B. This is mainly because the authors of Figure B newly
considered the limit of adaptation.
It is noteworthy, however, that “the levels of risk illustrated reflect the judgments of the authors of Chapter 19”3). The basis for the value judgments of 7 authors of this Chapter is not shown and remains unclear.
2.3 Ways of describing Cost and Benefit
SYR explains that mitigation cost to limit below 2°C is very small if wecompare it with annualized consumption growth. The cost here is calculated
under idealized conditions. Although additional costs are shown, for example,
in case of unavailability of technology or delayed participation, no calculation isshown when an unrealistic uniform carbon tax is not adopted. On the other hand,
SYR shows no numerical figures for damages, and, as a result, avoided damages(benefit). This makes the comparison of mitigation cost and its benefit impossible.
This is left for future consideration.
2.4 Priority of climate change among other globally urgent issues“The choice of a stabilization level implies the balancing of the risks ofclimate change --- against the risk of response measures that may threaten economic sustainability” (AR4/WG3 /Chapter 1). Likewise, the balance between climate change and other globally urgent issues should be taken into account. SYR
recognizes this point. It shows, though qualitatively, adverse side effects to sustainable development due to climate change. Adverse side effects of response
measures such as risks of threat to food security or loss of biodiversity due tomitigation measures such as massive use of bioenergy or large scale afforestation, however, are not sufficiently addressed. This point is left for a future IPCC
report.

Figure A by Smith et al. (2009), Figure B from AR5(AR5/WG2/SPM),
Undetectable risk (white), Moderate risk (yellow),High risk (red), Very high risk (purple),
The risk category order of Figure A is the same asthat of Figure B.
0°C in Figure A corresponds to the temperaturein1990. In Figure B, the scale of temperature on
the left side almost corresponds to that in Figure
A (the scale of temperature increase on the rightside shows temperature increase since pre-industrialization).
Figure A

Figure B

Reasons for Concern (temperature increase and associated risks)Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

RITE Today 2015

Commentary on the Fifth Assessment
Report of IPCC WG3

Keigo AkimotoGroup Leader, Systems Analysis Group

1. Introduction
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved andprovided the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of Working Group 3 (WG3; climatechange mitigation)1) on April 2014. I contributed to Chapter 6 “Assessing Transformation Pathways” of the report as one of the lead authors. This commentarysummarizes the WG3 report, particularly of Chapter 6, and discusses some key
points.

2. Assessments of climate change mitigation
The AR5 approached better understanding of the gap between theories
and realities, and conducted assessments considering the realities. I believe
AR5 was greatly improved compared with the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4,20072)). IPCC WG3 treats socioeconomic issues which are very complex in thereal world; however, the models assessing long-term emission scenarios are developed with very simplified assumptions. Chapter 6 of AR5 tried to understandthe large gaps, and provided insights which help understand the gaps from stateof-the-art analyses. In addition, assessments of climate policies on emission reductions (mitigation) were conducted by using the basic theories of environmental
economics in AR4, and also by using actual data since AR4. The descriptions ofassessments in AR5 provided valuable insights, and also indicated the gaps between theories and realities.
The number of emission scenarios for assessing long-term emission
pathways in AR5 was greatly increased compared with that in AR4. Such a large
number of emission scenarios particularly of lower emission levels provided awide range of possibilities of emission pathways meeting lower level targets ofatmospheric GHG concentration and global mean temperature change. The
wide range of the scenarios provided will help future policy decisions on climatechange, widening policy alternatives for emission reductions.
The following chapters discuss some of the important points individually.

3. Assessing long-term emission scenarios in the Fourth
Assessment Report, 2007
Before addressing AR5, I will address assessments of emission pathways
provided in AR42). Figure 1 shows the summarized emission scenarios in AR4.

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Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

RITE Today 2015

The number of scenarios was 177, but there were only six scenarios in the leastlevel of emissions, Category I (445 – 490 ppm CO2eq). Before AR4, emission
scenarios for 550 ppm CO2 stabilization (around 650 ppm CO2eq as CO2 equivalent concentration; Category IV) were used as a benchmark for assessments ofemission reduction, and many of the scenarios, 118 scenarios, are classified in
Category IV.
After the publication of AR4, international negotiations on climate change
focused particularly on Category I, and widely shared the target of a global mean
temperature below 2 °C relative to the preindustrial level with 450 ppm CO2eq
stabilization, and halving global emissions by 2050. However, IPCC did not recommend any specific targets such as the 2 °C target and 450 ppm CO2eq stabilization target. These targets are only political (AR5 also does not recommend
any specific targets). IPCC AR4 just summarized that about 450 ppm CO2eq
stabilization was required if the global mean temperature was to be kept below
2 °C relative to the preindustrial level assuming the equilibrium climate sensitivity (the equilibrium temperature increase level after stabilizing the CO2 equivalentconcentration at double the reference concentration) is 3.0 °C, and the temperature reduction approaches 2 °C after several hundred years from now. Then, thesix scenarios that meet about 450 ppm CO2eq stabilization just show that global
emission reductions in 2050 are 50 to 85% reductions relative to 2000.
Thus the 2 °C target was widely recognized as an international politicaltarget after AR4, but the large gap between the deep emission reduction target
and actual global emissions, and difficulties in emission reductions, made international negotiation on climate change difficult and led to stagnation.

Figure 1: Summary of emission scenarios in IPCC AR42)Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

RITE Today 2015

4. Assessing long-term emission scenarios in the Fifth
Assessment Report
Table 1 shows a new summary of classified emission scenarios in AR51).
The number of emission scenarios in AR5 was increased compared to AR4, andthere were over 1000 scenarios, including 114 scenarios for around 450 ppm (430
– 480 ppm) and 251 scenarios for around 500 ppm (480 – 530 ppm).
4.1 Emission reduction scenarios including “overshoot” scenarios
The scenarios in AR4 were basically GHG concentration “stabilization”
scenarios (the concentration reaches a certain level and thereafter remains atthat level). On the other hand, most of the scenarios in lower emission levels
such as 450 and 500 ppm CO2eq scenarios in AR5 are “overshoot” scenarios
where the concentrations rise beyond a certain level (and also temperature) fora few decades, and thereafter decrease and reach the target level. These scenarios were developed inevitably reflecting the fact of recent faster increases in
global GHG emissions. According to AR5, the increase in global GHG emissions
between 1990 and 2000 were 2.2% per year, while those between 1990 and2000 were 0.6% per year.
Please note that AR5 provided the temperature increase in 2100 (Table 1)
instead of the equilibrium temperature increase which was provided in AR4 (Figure1), because the scenarios included not only stabilization scenarios but also overshoot scenarios in AR5.
The 450 ppm CO2eq stabilization and 2 °C reduction targets have been
focused on in international negotiations since AR4, and then the modelers wererequired to analyze such targets. However, it is difficult to obtain the possible
pathways to meet the targets without overshoots due to the actual large increasein global emissions after AR4. In overshoot scenarios, the emissions are required
to be nearly zero or net negative emissions by 2100. Such emission pathways
may be technologically feasible, but major deployments of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies such as large scale afforestation/reforestation, anddirect CO2 removal and/or bioenergy with CCS (e.g., biomass power with CCS)
are required. More detailed investigations and assessments for the achievabilityof such radical measures are needed to assess the practical realization of overshoot scenarios.
Table 1: Summary of emission scenarios in IPCC AR51)
CO2 equivalentconcentration in 2100

Subcategories(ppm CO2eq)2100 temperature(°C, relative to 1850-1900)

Probability of exceeding the targets(relative to 1850-1900)
1.5°C

2.0°C

3.0°C

<430

Only a limited number of individual model studies have explored levels below 430 ppm CO2eq

450 (430-480)—-72~-41%1.5~1.7°C (1.0~2.8)

49-86%

12-37%

1-3%

Does not exceed 530 ppm CO2eq-57~-42%1.7~1.9°C (1.2~2.9)

80-87%

32-40%

3-4%

Exceeds 530 ppm CO2eq-55~-25%

1.8~2.0°C (1.2~3.3)

88-96%

39-61%

4-10%

Does not exceed 580 ppm CO2eq-47~-19%2.0~2.2°C (1.4~3.6)

93-95%

54-70%

8-13%

Exceeds 580 ppm CO2eq-16~+7%2.1~2.3°C (1.4~3.6)

95-99%

66-84%

8-19%(580-650)—-38~+24%

2.3~2.6°C (1.5~4.2)

96-100%74-93%

14-35%(650-720)—-11~+17%

2.6~2.9°C (1.8~4.5)

99-100%88-95%

26-43%(720-1000)—+18~+54%

3.1~3.7°C (2.1~5.8)

100-100%

97-100%55-83%>1000—+52~+95%

4.1~4.8°C (2.8~7.8)

100-100%

100-100%

92-98%

500 (480-530)
550 (530-580)

2050 global emission(relative to 2010)

Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

RITE Today 2015

4.2 Uncertainty in climate sensitivity and temperature estimates
The assessment reports before AR4 concluded that the equilibrium climate
sensitivity was likely to be 1.5 – 4.5 °C, and the best estimate was 2.5 °C. AR4stated that climate sensitivity was likely to be 2.0 – 4.5 °C, and the best estimate
was 3.0 °C. The equilibrium temperature increases for emission scenarios classified in AR4 (see Figure 1) were estimated with an equilibrium climate sensitivityof 3.0 °C. WG1 AR5 changed the climate sensitivity evaluation to 1.5 – 4.5 °C again
reflecting the slow-down of temperature increase since the beginning of this century, which is called “hiatus”. However, WG1 was not able to reach any consensus on the best estimate3). The equilibrium climate sensitivity used for estimating
the temperature (see Table 1) is not clearly described in AR5, but the explanations including other literature referred to in AR5 implied that the parameters ofa simple climate change model were assumed based on a climate sensitivity of
2.0 – 4.5 °C with the best estimate of 3.0 °C, which is not consistent with AR5 butwith AR4. Thus, temperatures in 2100 and the probabilities exceeding target temperatures are lower than the temperatures and probabilities shown in AR5 (Table1), if the climate sensitivity of AR5 (1.5 – 4.5 °C) is employed.
In addition, AR5 shows that the probability of not exceeding 2 °C of 450
ppm CO2eq scenarios in 2100 is likely (>66%), but this is true when a climate
sensitivity based not on AR5 but on AR4 is employed. However, the 500 ppm
CO2eq scenarios also meet the 2 °C target (the probability of not exceeding 2 °C
is 39 – 68%), when the climate sensitivity of best estimate corresponding to 50%
probability, which corresponds to AR4 estimates, is employed.
4.3 Required global GHG emission reductions in 2050
We should not simply think that global GHG emission reductions of 41 –72% in 2050 relative to 2010 are required for not exceeding 2°C before 2100,
which corresponds to 450 ppm CO2eq scenarios. According to the findings ofAR5, we should understand that reductions of 25 – 72% including 500 ppm scenarios are accepted for not exceeding 2 °C, if the basis of consideration is thesame as AR4. In AR4, emission reduction ratios are shown relative to 2000, andthe reduction of 25 – 72% relative to 2010 can be converted to 6 – 65% relative to
2000. The reduction ratios are much smaller than those of AR4 (50 – 85% reduction relative to 2000). In addition, as mentioned above, the estimates are madeby employing the climate sensitivity of AR4. If the climate sensitivity of AR5 isemployed, further smaller emission reductions are allowed for the 2 °C target (e.g.,
global emission in 2050 should return to around the current emission level).

5. Assessing emission reduction costs
5.1 Ideal emission reduction costs
Emission reduction costs are very important information for considering
emission reduction levels and implementing emission reduction measures. According to AR5, global consumption losses for achieving a concentration below
about 450 ppm CO2eq in 2100 are 2 – 6% (median: 3.4%) and 3 – 11% (median:
4.8%) in 2050 and 2100, respectively. We should understand that these loss figures are large, recognizing that the GDP of the whole of Africa in 2011 is 2.4% of
the global GDP. Meanwhile, emission reduction costs are about one third to twothirds for 550 ppm CO2eq in 2100. We should also recognize that these emission
reduction costs are estimated under the assumption of equal marginal abatement

Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

References
1) IPCC WG3 (2014), Climate
Change 2014–Mitigation of Climate

RITE Today 2015

costs among all countries and with all emission reduction technologies available.
This means that least cost measures are assumed to be employed in the world,which is too idealistic.

Change, Cambridge University
Press.
2) IPCC WG3 (2007), Climate
Change 2007–Mitigation of Climate
Change, Cambridge University
Press.
3) IPCC WG1 (2013), Climate
Change 2013– The Physical Science Basis, Cambridge University
Press.

5.2 Assessment of emission reduction costs with and without key emission
reduction technologies
One of the big messages of AR5 is that all of the key emission reduction
measures play a large or certain role to meet deep emission reductions such as
450 and 550 ppm CO2eq. However, the assumptions are very idealistic in the realworld, and analyses of emission reduction costs were also summarized whensome key measures are not available.
Particularly for meeting 450 ppm CO2eq in 2100, emission reduction costs
are estimated to greatly increase, to +138% and +64% when CCS and bioenergy are unavailable, respectively. Negative emissions are necessary in mostof the 450 ppm scenarios. Negative emissions require large scales of CCS andbioenergy, but large scales of afforestation/reforestation are required if CCS andbioenergy are unavailable. Compared with the cost increases of unavailability ofthese technologies, the cost increases of nuclear power, and photovoltaics andwind power, are +7% and 6%, respectively. The cost increases are not small, andthese technologies are also important.

6. Deployment of future climate change policies
AR5 of WG3 (aside from the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) which was
drawn up by policymakers) collected and provided the latest scientific knowledge

Note of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
Kenichi Wada
Senior Researcher, Systems Analysis Group
RITE’s research results contributed to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Two lead authors from RITE joined the team who wrote the report. Over 20 academic papers written by scientists from RITE are referred to in the report. We also covered the IPCC meetings, in which thethree WG reports and the SYR were approved, to give scientific advice to the policy maker.
The SYR integrates the findings from the three IPCC Working Group (WG) reports; WGI (The Physical Science Basis),
WGII (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability), and WGIII (Mitigation of Climate Change). The Synthesis Report (SYR)
of the IPCC’s AR5 was finally adopted at the 40th session of the IPCC in November 2014. This led to the end of theAR5 approval process, and the findings of the reports provides a scientific basis for negotiations on a new international
agreement under the UNFCCC, which is expected to be adopted in Paris in 2015.
One of the most contentious issues in the approval process was the classification of countries. The UNFCC divides
countries into two main groups, Annex I and Non-Annex I, according to differing commitments. Over the past decade,however, emissions from some Non-Annex I countries, such as China and India, have risen rapidly whereas emissions
from Annex I countries have been more or less flat. This implies that global climate policy needs to update how it classifies countries.
The IPCC underlying report includes data on emissions based on a division of countries into four income-level groups
based on the World Bank. Discussions centered on whether or not to include them in the SPM. Despite long and hardnegotiation, participants were not able to agree on this issue because they are perceived to influence revision of groupings under the UNFCCC. Given concerns expressed by some countries over the grouping of countries based on income
levels, the relevant figures and paragraph was removed from the SPM. This confrontation suggested tough negotiations
will continue up to COP21 to form a new international climate regime.

10Feature〈Commentary on the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC WG3〉

RITE Today 2015

by trying to include not only basic theories and ideal analyses, but also analyses
considering real world activities and behaviors. AR5 is seen to make have madeprogress compared to AR4 and to have improved over AR4, and keeps a relatively good balance in description. Considerations of complex constraints andlarge uncertainties in the real society will help to make really effective emission
reduction measures. In this context, it will be important to reconsider the targetsof halving global emissions by 2050, and 80% reduction of Japanese emissions
by 2050, for example, by reflecting the latest IPCC insights.
In addition, it is important to recognize that there are still large uncertainties in climate change issues. IPCC AR5 provided a broad range of possible
emission reduction pathways and measures. Considering emission reduction
targets with flexibilities, and not only mitigation but also adaptation measures, will
support better and smarter decisions on responses to climate change.

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R&D Activities〈Research & Coordination Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Research & Coordination Group【Key members】
Masato Takagi, Deputy Group Leader, Expert Director
Ryoichi Okura, Deputy Group Leader
Kunio Sakuyama, Manager
Yoshinori Aoki, Manager
Hiroyasu Torii, Planning Manager
Ichiro Saito, Vice Manager
Kohji Katsurahara, Vice Manager
Hiroyuki Azuma, Vice Manager

Hideaki Tsuzuku
Group Leader

Jun-ichi Shimizu, Vice Manager
Sou Kuranaka, Vice Manager

The Current Status and Issues on CCS
1. Introduction
A drastic reduction in CO2 emissions is required for mitigation of global
warming. According to “the Energy Technology Perspective 2014 (ETP2014)”1) issued by International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2014, global emissions of CO2 in
2050 should be decreased to 15Gt CO2/yr, which is almost half of those in 2009,
in order to limit long-term global temperature increase to 2°C. This means that 40
Gt CO2/yr should be cut from the baseline emissions in 2050, estimated as 55Gt
CO2/yr. Such a significant reduction cannot be achieved by only a sole technology, but combination of technologies with a great potential is required. In this context, “Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS)” has been gaining attentions
as an innovative mitigation option. This option is cost-competitive and more stable against power fluctuation comparing to photovoltaic or wind power.
This report provides comprehensive overviews of the latest progress andissues on CCS which is central focus in our laboratory.
2. Current status of CCS
2.1 Necessity and perspective of CCS
According to the 2°C Scenario (2DS) stated in the ETP2014,
CCS plays an important role as a vital technology to contribute to
14% accumulatively through 2050, 17% in 2050, of the total global
emissions reduction (Figure 1).
“Mitigation of Climate Change”2), Working Group III Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was issued in March

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Figure 1: Contributions to annual emissions reductions between
the 6DS and 2DS(source:IEA “Energy Technology Perspectives 2014”1))

2014. According to this report, at the global level, scenarios reach-R&D Activities〈Research & Coordination Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Figure 2: Low-Carbon Energy Share of Primary Energy [%](source:IPCC “Summary for Policymakers (SPM) the Working Group III report Fifth
Assessment Report (AR5)”2))

Figure 3: Global mitigation estimated cost increases due to assumed limited availability of specifictechnologies and delayed additional mitigation(source:IPCC “Summary for Policymakers (SPM) the Working Group III report Fifth
Asesssment Report (AR5)”2))

Figure 4: Direct emissions of CO2 and total non-CO2 GHGs across sectors in baseline andmitigation scenarios with CCS and without CCS(source:IPCC, Summary for Policymakers (SPM) the Working Group III report Fifth
Assessment Report (AR5)2))

ing about 450 ppm CO2eq are also characterized by more rapid improvements inenergy efficiency and a tripling to nearly a quadrupling of the share of zero- andlow carbon energy supply from renewables, nuclear energy and fossil energy withcarbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) and so on by the year 2050 (Figure 2).
This report also says that without CCS, mitigation costs can increase substantially depending on the considered technology (18-297 % increase in total discounted mitigation costs (2015-2100) relative to default technology assumptions) (Figure 3). This report furthermore says that many models cannot reach 450 ppm
CO2eq concentration level by 2100 under limited availability of CCS, and fossil
fuel power generation without CCS is phased out almost entirely by 2100 (Figure 4).

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R&D Activities〈Research & Coordination Group〉

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In addition to the above, this report says that combining bioenergy withCCS (BECCS) offers the prospect of energy supply with large-scale net negativeemissions which plays an important role in many low-stabilization scenarios,
while it entails challenges and risks, and that CCS could contribute to significant
GHG emission reductions in industry.
2.2 The status of CCS projects
The Global CCS Institute (GCCSI) published “The Global Status of CCS:
3)2014” which summarizes CCS projects activities in the world. According to thereport, there are 13 large scale integrated projects (LSIPs) listed in the Operate
stages and 9 projects in the Execute. The number of total LSIPs including theplanning stages of development amounts to 55, decreasing by ten projects compared to those in last year (Figure 5). In addition to these LSIPs, the CCS demonstration project at the Tomakomai Area is conducted in Japan.
【Definition of each stage】
Identify ：a proponent carries out early studies
and preliminary comparisons ofalternatives
Evaluate：the range of options that could be
employed is examined
Define ：a positive final investment decision
has been taken
Execute：A project is considered to haveentered construction
Operate：the project is in operation
Closure ：the project moves to the process ofceasing operations【Deﬁnition of LSIP】
・ at least 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annuallyfor a coal–based power plant, orat least 400,000 tonnes of CO2 annuallyfor other emissions–intensive industrial
facilities (including natural gas–based
power generation).

Figure 5: Large-scale CCS projects by lifecycle stage and egion/country(source:GCCSI “The global Status of CCS 2014”3))

Figure 6 shows large-scale CCS projects classified by sectors and storage
types. Most of LSIPs listed in the Operate stages are classified into Natural gas
processing sector and EOR type. This result is considered to be turned out because Natural gas processing requires CO2 capture with or without CCS, andEOR-typed CCS has feasibility by trade of captured CO2.

Figure 6: Actual and expected operation dates for large-scale CCS
projects in the Operate, Executeand Define stages by industry and storage type(source:GCCSI “The global Status of CCS 2014”3))

14

Figure 7: T he outline of CCS project at Boundary Dam
Power Station, Canada

R&D Activities〈Research & Coordination Group〉

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The world’s first large-scale project to capture the CO2 from a coal-fired
power plant opened at Boundary Dam Power Station, Canada in October 2013.
Regulations for reduction in CO2 emissions from coal-fired plants will come into
effect in July 2015 in Canada. As Boundary Dam Power Station will be subject tothese regulations, they decided to install CCS using an opportunity of replacing
Unit #3 of Boundary Dam Power Station. One million tons of CO2 will be captured
every year from Unit #3 which generates 110MW of power. Canadian Government subsidized C$ 240 million for the expenses of C$ 6 million for CO2 capture
facilities. Subsidy rate is 40%. Most of captured CO2 will be sold for EOR in an
adjacent oil field and a part of captured CO2 will be used for demonstration
project of CO2 storage in a deep saline aquifer. As described above, Boundary
Dam CCS project is implemented under regulations on CO2 emission reduction,with subsidy from the government and an income from the sale of CO2 for EOR.
2.3 T
 he issues on deployment of CCS (necessity of storage site characterization)
As mentioned at 2.2, most of large-scale CCS projects are implemented
under the mechanism of regulations on CO2 emissions, carbon tax, environmental
regulations and so on. It is very difficult to deploy CCS by market mechanisms because CCS is a countermeasure only for global warming which has an external
diseconomy. For deploying CCS it is necessary to build some mechanisms including incentive such as subsidy and tax reduction, emissions trading, and regulations. In addition, investigation of storage capacity through exploration and characterization of storage sites, maintenance of the legal systems, and increase inpublic understanding are also necessary for introduction and deployment of CCS.
This section explains that early-stage storage site characterization is oneof the most important items to accelerate CCS deployment. The importance ofearly-stage storage site characterization is pointed out in “Technology Roadmap
Carbon capture and storage 2013”4) published by IEA in July 2013. “The Global
Status of CCS: 2014”3) published by GCCSI in November 2014 also pointed out
as follows: “It can take a considerable period of time, possibly up to ten years, tofully appraise a greenfield site ready for a final investment decision”, “In the earlyphases of project development, storage availability is also the most uncertain eleTable 1: R ecomendations on early-stage storage site characterisation(souece:GCCSI “The global Status of CCS 2014”3))

ment, and may require a significant allocationof resources”, “the importance of undertaking
storage-related actions this decade to prepare

It can take a considerable period of time, possibly up to ten years, to fully
appraise a greenfield site ready for a final investment decision.

for widespread CCS deployment post-2020

In the early phases of project development, storage availability is also the mostuncertain element, and may require a significant allocation of resources.

cannot be overstated”, and “To lessen the risk

The characteristics of a particular storage site may have important influenceson the design of the CO2 capture plant and transportation system.
Given the required scale of CCS deployment post-2020 to meet climate goals,
the challenge of finding appropriate storage capacity may increase considerably.

of widespread CCS deployment being slowedby uncertainty over available storage, there isan urgent need for policies and funded pro-

Projects may need to investigate several storage targets to mitigate theexploration risk.

grams that encourage the exploration and ap-

The importance of undertaking storage-related actions this decade to prepare
for widespread CCS deployment post-2020 cannot be overstated.

praisal of significant CO2 storage capacity”.

To lessen the risk of widespread CCS deployment being slowed by uncertainty
over available storage, there is an urgent need for policies and funded programs
that encourage the exploration and appraisal of significant CO2 storage capacity.

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Finally, this section introduces trends in the site characterization in theworld. The British Geological Survey (BGS) and The Crown Estate built a database on potential storage sites in the United Kingdom. This data base includes
site characteristic data such as general characteristics, pore volume, static capacity, and injectivity, and risk assessment data such as seal, faults, lateral migration and risk profiles as well as economics data. The GIS-based database forCO2 capture and storage including some tools for cost evaluation etc. is alsoavailable in the United States. This database includes information of stationary
sources of CO2, storage capacity of potential sites, and infrastructures. As explained above, the United States and the UK open information on potential storage sites and their storage capacities to public as databases. Such activities arevery important to fully introduce CCS in Japan in future.
Database example in U.K.

Figure 8: Storage sites databas (example in U.K.)(source:The British Geological Survey (BGS)
The Crown Estate)

Database NATCARB in USA

Figure 9: Storage sites database (example in USA)(source:The National Carbon Sequestration Databaseand Geographic information System (NATCARB))

2.4 Overseas trends in regulations on CCS
In September 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USA proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). If the proposed standards
will go into effect, newly constructed coal-fired power plants should be equippedwith CCS facilities. This regulation is to limit emissions from individual power
plant. On the other hand, the EPA, USA proposed “Clean Power Plan” (Emission
Guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units). This proposes
state-specific rate-based goals for CO2 emissions from the power sector. The
USA has a strategy to limit emissions both by regulation on individual power plantand state-specific rate-based goals. Nationwide, by 2030, this rule would achieve
CO2 emissions reductions from the power sector of approximately 30 percent ofemissions levels in 2005.
In addition, CO2 Emission Performance Standard (EPS) which requires
limiting CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants will go into effect in 2015 in
Canada. EPS has been already introduced in the UK.
CCS-ready regulation which requires feasibility studies for construction of16

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new thermal power plants with CCS has been entered into effect in EU directive.
Transposition of this EU directive to national law has been completed in some of
EU member states, such as Spain, the Kingdom of Denmark and so on. The European Council endorsed a binding EU target of an at least 40% domestic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) by
2030 compared to 1990.
In this way, mechanisms to introduce and deploy CCS are being formed
steadily in the foreign countries.
Table 2: The outline of Overseas trends in regulations on CCS

2.5 International standardization for CCS
A technical Committee (ISO/TC265) was established withinInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the international standardization for CCS has been developed under this ISO
framework. ISO/TC265 had held four general meetings since the establishment of TC in October 2011. Six working groups are set up
under the TC: Capture WG, Transportation WG, Storage WG, CrossCutting WG, Quantification & Verification WG and Enhanced Oil Recovery WG. In response to involvement in this international frameFigure 10: Organization chart of ISO/TC265

work, Japan set up the mirror committee of ISO/TC265 for internal
discussions and decision-making. In addition, the third WG1 was heldin October 2014 in Japan.
The activities of each WG are as follows.
Technical report (TR) on CO2 capture has been developed under WG1.

The target of the publication of TR is 2015. The International standard (IS) on
power generation and post combustion capture technology is aimed to be published in 2018. The International standard (IS) on transportation by pipeline has
been developed under WG2. The target of publication of the IS is 2016.
The International standard (IS) on onshore and offshore CO2 storage has
been developed under WG3. The target of publication of the IS is 2017. Technicalreport (TR) has been developed under WG4. The target of publication of the TR
is 2015. The International standard (IS) on vocabulary has been developed under
WG5. The target of publication of the IS is 2016. The International standard (IS)has been developed under WG6. The target of publication of the IS is 2017.

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Table 3 shows the activities of each WG and Figure 11 shows the immediate schedules of each WG. A technical report is going to be published in 2015
and the first IS in 2016 at the earliest.
Table 3: activities of each ISO WG

Figure 11: Schedule of ISO/TC265

3. Storage & Utilization of CO2 for Coexistence of Economical & Safe System (SUCCESS)
More economical and safer CCS technology is required to increase thecandidate sites for CO2 storage. “SUCCESS” (Storage & Utilization of CO2 for
Coexistence of Economical & Safe System) is one of the more economical andsafer CCS technologies. It can be called a next-generation CO2 storage system
which has three advantageous effects (geothermal heat-utilization, formationpressure-relaxation, and injection rate-increase) by extracting water from the aquifer (Figure 12).
The first advantage of this system is that utilizing of the geothermal energy
improves the economic efficiency of CCS in its implementation. The second advantage is that the extraction of water brings in the relaxation of the formationpressure. It is expected to be a safety tool for the CO2 injection. The third advantage is the increase of CO2 injection rate per a well by the relaxation of the formation pressure. It brings in cost reduction since large amount of CO2 injection using
one well becomes available.
In 2014 F.Y, RITE has been focusing on the multi-well system, which is thesystem not involving geothermal utilization in the “SUCCESS”, and implementing①investigation of the multiple-well system introduction sites and literature survey,
and ②evaluation of efficacy of multiple wells system by numerical simulations for
the Japanese formation.
As for ①investigation, RITE has been investigating the case of the Gorgon
project in Australia, where they will adopt the multiple wells system for the firsttime in the world, and documents on multiple wells system. As for ②evaluation,
RITE has been evaluating efficacy of multiple wells system by numerical simulation using simplified and detailed geological models for the Japanese formation.

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Figure 12: Outline of SUCCESS

4. Conclusion
Among limited technical options for the future, CCS is expected to play a
critical role to substantially reduce CO2 emissions. Working Group III Contribution
to AR5 of IPCC and ETP2014, IEA, describe that CCS is a key technology to mitigate a global warming and contributes to a significant reduction in GHG emissions. It is very difficult to deploy CCS by market mechanism because CCS is acountermeasure only for global warming which has an external diseconomy. For
deployment of CCS, it is necessary to build some mechanisms including incentive such as subsidy and tax reduction, emissions trading, and regulations. In addition, early-stage storage site characterization is necessary in particular for introduction and deployment of CCS. Mechanisms to introduce CCS, such as CCSready regulation and Emission Performance Standard (EPS), are being built
steadily in the foreign countries. In the United States and the UK, they are investigating storage capacities of potential sites and open information on these to public as databases. In addition, International standardization for CCS has been inprogress steadily.
The more economical and safer CCS technology is necessary to expand
the potential CO2 storage sites. RITE will continue to implement feasibility study
on this approach in future.

References
1) IEA, “Energy Technology Perspectives 2014” (2014)
2) IPCC, “Summary for Policymakers (SPM), the Working Group III report, Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)”3) GCCSI, “The Global Status of CCS: 2014” (2014)
4) IEA, “Technology Roadmap Carbon capture and storage 2013 edition” (2013)19

R&D Activities〈Systems Analysis Group〉

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Systems Analysis Group【Key members】
Toshimasa Tomoda, Chief Researcher
Kenichi Wada, Senior Researcher
Miyuki Nagashima, Senior Researcher
Takashi Homma, Senior Researcher
Fuminori Sano, Senior Researcher
Junichiro Oda, Senior Researcher
Ayami Hayashi, Researcher
Kohko Tokushige, Researcher

Keigo AkimotoGroup Leader

Yosuke Arino, Researcher
Bianka Shoai Tehrani, Researcher

Research Activities in Systems Analysis GroupWe are providing valuable information about measures for global warming
and energy both in and outside Japan by conducting systems analysis. We introduce four research topics here out of our research activities.
1. An analysis on the option values of geoengineering under uncertainties
in climate change
1.1 Introduction
According to IPCC AR5, “human influence on the climate system is clear”.
Still, many uncertainties remain in the extent to which climate systems respond toaccumulated GHG emissions (e.g., equilibrium climate sensitivity).
Solar radiation management (SRM) has been drawing much attention inrecent years aside from mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. SRM is
one of the methods of geoengineering (injecting sulphate aerosols into the stratosphere as a representative technology), which is meant to decrease the global
average temperature by artificially reflecting solar radiation. SRM is generally
considered affordable and quick option for cooling the earth, though it cannot prevent ocean acidification. However, injecting sulphate aerosols may not only cause
environmental side effects (e.g., acid rain, ozone depletion) but also involve ethical and political concerns, and therefore there is room to discuss the plausibilityof the strategy based on the premise of implementing SRM.
Hence, we quantitatively estimated the values of the strategy of holding
SRM as options by letting SRM be implemented on a limited scale only in the incidence of high climate sensitivity. We show the summary below.

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1.2 Assessment model and assumptions
We incorporated SRM options into a world energy model (DNE21), considering the two-stage decision-making process consisting of uncertain (prelearning) and certain (post-learning) periods. For simplicity, we assumed that adeterministic value of climate sensitivity be uncovered after the year 2050. As Table 1 indicates, we defined a probability function of climate sensitivity based on
the representative probability density function agreed in IPCC AR4, where three
sensitivities from low to high are given specific discrete probabilities. SRM is assumed to be implemented only when Scenario 3 occurs and only after the year
2050 with maximum constraints on the mass of the sulphate aerosols injected(limited to cancel at most 0.5˚C in each time point) in consideration for ethical,
political, and environmental concerns. Regarding SRM’s costs per year, we assumed US$10/kg-S which is the higher-order of estimates in the existing literature. For comparison, we evaluated three cases of global mean temperaturechange below +2˚C, +2.5˚C and +3˚C relative to preindustrial levels in 2100.
Table 1: Three scenarios under uncertainty in climate sensitivity with SRM options
Equilibrium climate sensitivity (T2x)

Occurrence probability

SRM implementation

Scenario 1

2°C (low)10%

No (option)

Scenario 2

3°C (moderate)71%

No (option)

Scenario 3

4°C (high)

19%

Yes

We estimated SRM’s option values by comparing two systems costs(1990-2100) under Scenario 2 which were derived by two model-runs, one including SRM options and the other not including any. We also derived two energy-related CO2 pathways.
1.3 Effects of SRM options on the energy-related CO2 emission pathways
and SRM’s option values
For +2˚C target, the feasible solutions were not found because the highclimate sensitivity scenario such as T2x=4˚C is included.
Figure 1 shows the results for +2.5˚C target case. Emission pathways will
diverge into three branches after 2050. The higher climate sensitivities are themore stringent respective abatement pathways will be. In the uncertain period
2000-2040, stringent CO2 emission abatement pathways are derived in the casenot including SRM options (blue lines) because the scenario requiring stringent
abatements (T2x=4˚C) is included. However, when SRM is implemented if Scenario 3 (T2x=4˚C) occurs after 2050 (red lines), it generates room for emission
reduction requirements in 2000-2040 as well as 2050-2100. The shift of emission
pathways (from the thick blue line to the red line) under the moderate climate
sensitivity shows that it is desirable to select emission pathways closer to the deterministic pathway (the green line) where climate sensitivity is deterministicallymoderate (T2x=3˚C).

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We define the SRM’s option value as
the difference between two energy systems
costs that correspond to two emission pathways (the thick blue and red lines) under themoderate climate sensitivity (Uncertain T2x=3
˚C). SRM’s option values rise with the stringency of mitigation targets: it is estimated to be
US$201 billion for +3˚C target relative to preindustrial levels in 2100, US$456 billion for +2.5
˚C target, and US$3,273 billion for +2.4˚C tarFigure 1: Effects of SRM options on CO2 emission pathways under uncertainty [+2.5°C target]get.

1.4 Conclusion
This study showed that by merely holding SRM as an option, the short- to
mid-term economic risks of mitigation policy would decrease even if a high climate sensitivity scenario is included as opposed to preceding studies1), and thatgeoengineering could provide flexibility for the comprehensive risk management
involving investments for R&D for the long-term mitigation and adaptation. Holding SRM options can also justify a strategy based on a moderate climate sensitivity.
References
1) Akimoto, K.; Decision analyses for energy strategies on global warming issues with an energy systems
model of optimization type, Doctoral thesis, (1999).

2. Assessment of U.S. restrictions on public financing for new coal power
plants overseas
2.1 Introduction
In 2013, U.S. President Obama announced to stop public financing for
new coal power plants overseas, except for the most efficient coal technology inthe least developed countries in cases where no other economically viable alternative exists, or plants with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies1). Later, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the financing conditions for coal power plants in developing countries. For example, regarding thefinancing conditions for International Bank for Reconstruction and Development(IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA) -blend equivalent borrowing countries, the plants should deploy CCS technology to reduce the carbon
intensity to a level of 500gCO2eq./kWh2).
While the objective of restriction on financing is to promote investment inclean energy by regulating coal power plants which emit more CO2 than other energy sources, there is room to consider whether the restriction contributes to effective GHGs reductions. In short, there is a possibility that some developing22

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countries construct inexpensive low-or middle-efficiency coal plants with own
fund or by obtaining finance from other financial institutions. In such cases, therestriction on financing might result in limited or adverse effects in reducing emissions, which we call ‘loophole’ in the restriction on financing.
2.2 Objectives and methods
We develop four scenarios with different assumption on new constructionof coal power plants, and estimate GHGs emissions and average reduction costs
by using DNE21+ model. In all countries, all types of coal plants are allowed toconstruct in Scenario A (base case), only new high-efficiency ones (ultra supercritical, advanced USC, integrated coal gasification combined cycle, integrated
coal gasification fuel cell combined cycle) are allowed in Scenario B, and only
ones with CCS technologies are allowed in Scenario C. Furthermore, the following scenario (Scenario D) is considered to express the loophole precisely. Itshows the situation in which the world is prone to Scenario D in reality, eventhough Scenario C is expected after the financing restrictions are imposed. In
general, whether it is a qualified borrowing country for public financing depends
on income levels of borrowing countries, we divide the world into four regions:High Income Countries (HICs), Upper Middle Income Countries (UMICs), Lower
Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and Low Income Countries (LICs). As for theconditions of coal power plants construction, only new coal plants with CCS technologies are allowed for developed countries, considering domestic regulation in
U.S. and expression of the support for U.S. financing policy by some developed
countries. For developing countries, all types of coal power plants are allowed,
considering that fact that some middle-income developing countries can construct
the plants with own fund or by obtaining finance from other financial institutions,and strict financing conditions are exempted for low income countries.
Here, we show the results when there is no additional climate policy to examine the impacts of financing restrictions.
2.3 Results
Figure 2 shows global GHGs emissions and average reduction costs in
2030 across scenarios. If the regulation on new coal plants functions well (Scenario C), the emissions will be reduced by about 5Gt relative to Scenario A, andits average reduction cost will be +$32, which is the largest cost among scenarios. In this scenario, there will be small economic incentives for developing countries to construct coal plants with CCS technologies by paying high expenses unless stringent emission reduction targets are imposed, which will lead to theloophole.
Scenario D represents the loophole situation. In Scenario D, emissions inhigh income countries (HICs) will decrease, however, those in upper middle income countries (UMIC) and lower middle income countries (LMICs) will increase23

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when compared with those in Scenario B in which high-efficiency coal plants areallowed. Also, the average reduction cost in Scenario D will be higher than the
one in Scenario B. The results suggest that allowing new high-efficiency coalplants for all countries (Scenario B) is desirable in the context of both GHG emissions and average reduction costs when compared with the loophole situation(Scenario D).

Figure 2: Global GHGs emissions and average reduction costs in 2030 (No additional climate policy)

2.4 Discussion
In case where strong reduction measures are not taken in the world (which
is no additional climate policy scenario in this analysis), strict financing restrictions which require CCS technologies for developing countries might result in theloophole and increase CO2 emissions worldwide. If so, minimizing the loopholeby allowing new high-efficiency coal plants will lead to effective reduction and low
reduction costs.
References
1) Executive office of the president; The president’s climate action plan, (2013).
2) U.S. Department of the Treasury; Guidance for U.S. positions on multilateral development banks engaging with developing countries on coal-fired power generation (2013).

3. Evaluations of Voluntary Action Plan for the Environment in Japan
3.1 Introduction
The first commitment period (2008–2012) of the Kyoto Protocol (KP),
which has greenhouse gas emission reduction targets relative to 1990, has expired. Japan’s target was a 6% relative to 1990; it achieved a 8.4% reduction.
The Keidanren-centered VAP made an important contribution to the achievementof Japan’s emission target. The study assessed CO2 emission reduction efforts
by the individual business associations that participated in the VAP.

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3.2 Overview and Evaluation of the Keidanren VAP
The Keidanren released the Keidanren Appeal on Environment in July
1996 and the Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment in June 1997.
While each business association had set their own targets, Keidanren, itself, haspromoted global warming measures under its goal “to endeavor to reduce CO2
emissions from the industrial and energy conversion sectors in fiscal 2010 to below the levels of fiscal 1990.” The Japanese government also decided to conduct
the VAP follow-ups by the government councils including Industrial Structure
Council in December 1997, and launched them in 1998. In that year, implementation of the VAP was specified by the Guidelines for Measures to Prevent Global
Warming. Since 1997, the number of participating associations has increased: by
2012, a total of 114 associations had adopted the VAP including 61 associations
under the Keidanren1).
The VAP is complex, with different types of targets voluntarily set by different associations having various activities. This study focused on 34 business associations in the industry and energy conversion sectors under the Keidanren,
considering better comparability across associations in terms of their quantitative
data, and evaluated through several indicators for measuring the effectivenessand efforts of emission reductions, using the data based on 1997-20102).
3.3 Results
Energy intensity (energy consumption per economic activity) largely improved in most of the associations but worsened in some associations. Some associations increased also their energy consumptions. Energy intensity as well as
energy consumption are affected by economic conditions. Figure 3 shows the energy intensity changes and the explanations of annual energy intensity changes
by annual economic activity changes, in order to analyze that economic activities
induced the worsening (or improvement) in energy intensity changes. The horizontal axis represents the explanations (R2) for the energy intensity changes by
economic activity changes in each association between 1997 and 2010. The vertical axis represents the energy intensity in 2010 relative to 1990. The pledged
target types for the VAP are distinguished by different makers in the Figure. As
can be seen on plots from zone A to C, the effectiveness of measures is no clear
difference among the target attributes. The intensity changes of all the associations whose intensities worsened can be explained sufficiently well by the economic activity changes (for example, Japan Industry Vehicles Association; zone
C). There is a possibility that economic conditions affected to worsen the intensity.
Some associations may be considered to have unavoidable impacts on aspectsof economy and not to neglect on effort to improve the intensity. In addition, theassociation in zone A are indicated that have made efforts of the intensity improvements without impacts of economic turndown.

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Notes.Types of the pledged target: Energy intensity,: Energy consumption,: CO2 intensity, ＋ :CO2 emissions. Two types of the pledged target represent a combination of two markers. Exceptions forbase year for energy intensity as follows: Japan Aluminum Association, Japan Brass Makers Association(FY1995); The Japan Society of Industrial Machinery Manufacturers, Japan Bearing Industry Association,
Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (FY1997); Japan Dairy Industry Association (FY2000).

Figure 3: Energy intensity changes and the explanations (determination coefficient, R2) for annual
improvements in energy intensity by annual increases in economic activity between 1997 and 2010.

3.4 Conclusion
The industry sectors contributed greatly through the VAP to achieve theemission reduction target of Japan in the first commitment period of the KP. For
measuring emission reduction efforts quantitatively, it is not appropriate to evaluate
those only employing GHG emission reduction rates relative to base year. In addition, it is not so simple that the efforts can be evaluated by employing indicators ofenergy intensity levels and its changing rates. Emission reduction efforts should be
as equitable under different conditions such as different levels of energy efficiency
which has been already achieved and differences in expected economic growthand business conditions. Evaluating the equitable emission reduction efforts adequately will also induce enhancements of future mitigation measures, and thisstudy will contribute to this inducement. Also, part of these analyses was employedin Report of the Committee for the Comprehensive Review of the Voluntary Action
Plan on the Environment by the government in April 2014.

References
1) Comprehensive Review of the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment (2014).
2) Keidanren; Results of the fiscal 2013 follow-up to the Voluntary Action Plan on the environment (2013).

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4. Economic impacts of electricity price increases on manufacturing industries
4.1 Introduction
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the environment around electricity
has changed considerably. The situation of shut down of all the nuclear power
plants caused increases in the dependency on fossil fuel power plants, and thus
electricity prices have increased. The electricity price increases already made by
the power companies include the assumptions on restarts on parts of the nuclear
power plants. The delays on the expected nuclear plant restarts may cause additional price increases. In addition, surcharges on feed-in-tariff (FIT) are also expected to significantly increase electricity prices. Several reports explained anumber of the private companies had considerably adverse impacts of thoseprice increases on their business activities1).
The manufacturing industries suffer from the electricity price increases.
Because the electricity consumptions and intensities in the production activities
differ in region and industry, the high resolution in regions and industries are required for those evaluations. We analyzed impacts of the electricity price increases on manufacturing industry by prefecture and by respective industry.
4.2 Methodology
We use the Census of Manufactures (2010 edition2)). This analysis focused on about 540 industries (based on the 4-digit industrial classification) consisting of the establishments with more than four employees by prefecture and byrespective industry. We estimate the electricity charges increases (relative to thepre-quake levels) owing to the assumed electricity price increases.
This study assumes four simulation cases. In Case 1, we assume theelectricity price increases already made by the power companies until December
in 2014. In Case 2 and 3, we assume the price increases based on low and highprice projections, respectively when the complete future shutdowns of the nuclear
powers are expected. In Case 1-3, the assumed price increases include both theprice changes based on the fuel cost adjustments system and the FIT surcharge.
The assumed FIT surcharge is 0.75 Yen/kWh which is uniformly applied in Japan.
The surcharge is estimated by using the assumptions on currently operating facilities. In Case 4, we assume the FIT surcharge of 3.12 Yen/kWh in which all thecurrently approved facilities are operated. The other assumptions in Case 4 aresame as those in Case 1. The price increases (relative to the pre-quake levels) in
Case 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 15.6%-54.5%, 15.6%-57.9%, 15.6%-65.2%, and35.4%-70.8%, respectively; the ranges represent the differences among ten power companies.
4.3 Results
Figure 4 shows the annual electricity charge increases per employee in27

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the whole manufacturing industry for the whole country, and the Chiba prefecture
which has the most significant adverse impacts. The figure also includes factor
contributions to the charge increases per employee. In Case 1, the annual electricity charge increases per employee for the whole country is about 152 thousand Yen (relative to the pre-quake level). The charges increases per employee
consist of about 55, 73, and 24 thousand Yen owing to shutdown of the nuclear
power plants, price adjustments based fuel cost adjustments system and FIT surcharges (only for currently operating facilities), respectively. Assuming complete
future shutdown of the nuclear power plants, the charge increases per employee
are 183 and 201 thousand Yen in Case 2 and 3, respectively and thus result inmuch more adverse impacts on the manufacturing industry. When assuming FIT
surcharges for all the approved facilities operating, the additional charge increase
per employee in Case 4 is 77 thousand Yen relative to Case 1 and represent considerably severe impacts in the future. The results also indicate that the differences among the prefectures are large. Parts of the prefectures cumulating energyintensive industries such as the Chiba prefecture have considerably adverse
impacts. Figure 5 shows the annual electricity charge increases per employee by
respective industry in Case 1. Parts of the industries such as the chemical, andiron and steel industries in the electricity-intensive industry have severer impacts
than the whole manufacturing industry.

Figure 4: Annual electricity charge increases per employee (relative to the prequake level) on the whole manufacturing industry by priceincrease factor (left: the whole country, right: Chiba prefecture)

Note: Red, green, yellow and blue colors in
the graph represent the industries belonging
to chemical, non-ferrous, iron and steel, andnon-metal industries based on the 2-digit industrial classification, respectively.

Figure 5: Annual electricity charge increases per employee (relative to the pre-quake level) for the whole country in Case 1: the top 10
industries based on the 4-digit industrial classification

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4.4 Conclusion
Electricity is necessary for supporting production activities in almost all theindustries. The companies facing severe cost competitiveness need electricity
supplied stably and inexpensively. This analysis indicates that electricity price increases caused by shutdown of the nuclear power plants result in severe impacts
on parts of the prefectures and the electricity-intensive industries. The electricity
price estimates when assuming the complete future shutdown of the plants havemuch more severe impacts. In addition, the FIT surcharges assumed when all theapproved facilities are operated have considerably adverse impacts on the manufacturing industries. This analysis indicates that before expanding severe economic impacts, the effective measures for alleviating the price increases areneeded. (For the detailed results, refer to the RITE website3).)
References
1) The Japan chamber of commerce and industry, distressing circumstances caused by increases in electricity charge and energy cost, http://www.jcci.or.jp/260612_energykyuujyou.pdf, 2014 (in Japanese)
2) METI, Census of manufacture (2010 edition), http://www.meti.go.jp/english/statistics/tyo/kougyo/, 2012
3) RITE, Effects of electricity price increases on the manufacturing industry by prefecture, http://www.rite.
or.jp/Japanese/labo/sysken/about-global-warming/ouyou/zenkoku-electricityprices.html (in Japanese)29

R&D Activities〈Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group

Masayuki Inui
Acting Group Leader【Key members】

Naoto Kato, Senior Researcher

Akemi Sasaki,
Deputy Group Leader, Associate Chief Researcher

Satoshi Hasegawa, Senior Researcher

Ken-ichi Inatomi, Associate Chief Researcher

Norihiko Takemoto, Researcher

Crispinus Omumasaba, Associate Chief Researcher

Akira Watanabe, Researcher

Haruhiko Teramoto, Associate Chief Researcher

Shinichi Oide, Researcher

Toru Jojima, Associate Chief Researcher

Masanori Ogawa, Researcher

Kazumi Hiraga, Associate Chief Researcher

Takeshi Kubota, Researcher

Takanobu Watanabe, Senior Researcher

Takahisa Kogure, Researcher

Yuya Tanaka, Senior Researcher

Naoki Saruya, Researcher

Masako Suda, Senior Researcher

Ryoma Hashimoto, Researcher

Yukihiro Kitade, Senior Researcher

Tomoya Maeda, Researcher

Ryoji Noburyu, Researcher

Koichi Toyoda, Senior Researcher

Global Biorefinery Trends and Research
Overview of the Molecular Microbiology andBiotechnology Group
1. Introduction
The biggest topic last year in the global energy field was the sudden decline of crude oil price after October 2014. The price exceeded $100 per gallon in
the summer of 2014 but broke $50 at the start of 2015 and it may fall more fromthe expectation. Since our group has advanced the research and development ofbiorefinery technologies which produce biofuel and green chemicals using biomass as raw materials, we pay close attention to influence this oil price decline
has on the biorefinery industry. The competitiveness of the petrochemical-basedindustries such as gasoline, naphtha etc. has recovered due to the price decline.
However it is apparent that more dependence on fossil resources exacerbates
global warming and serious disturbs development of cleaner energy and green
chemicals besides increasing CO2 emissions.
The second major topic was that large-scale commercial plants for cellulose ethanol with capacities in the range of 100,000 KL per year were opened inEurope and the U.S.. In the U.S., the government has been supported theseplants for several years. Since cellulosic biofuels are more effective at reducing
greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions compared to food-based biofuels, and cellulosic materials are abundant in many countries, cellulosic biofuels are greatly anticipated to underlie cleaner fuels for global warming prevention. In 2015, operationalization of a cellulosic ethanol plant is also scheduled in Brazil.
The third major topic was the substantial market expansion of green
chemicals such as bio-based chemicals, bioplastics, etc. According to a U.S.-

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based research company, the production of green chemicals is estimated to increase beyond 13 million tons by 2017, which is about double the present production level. In addition to conventional bio-based chemicals such as lactic acid,amber acid, amino acids, etc., further market growth is anticipated for biobasedpolyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET) and biobased polyethylene (Bio-PE). Thus
production expansion of biofuels and green chemicals is also expected in 2015,
but the influence of the decline in oil prices on the production of green chemicals
will draw attention as described above.
2. Current state of global production and expectation of next-generation biofuels
Global bioethanol production in 2014 was estimated to be over 23.8 billion
gallons (F.O. Licht, etc.), which exceeds past levels (Fig. 1). According to the Renewable Fuels Association, bioethanol production in the U.S. was also somewhat
increased and still accounted for ca. 60 % (14.2 billion gallons) of the global production.

Fig. 1: Global fuel ethanol production

2.1 Renewable Fuel Standard and starting up of commercial cellulosic ethanol production
To increase production and consumption of renewable fuels in the U.S.,
the government encouraged the spread of biofuels. The U.S. Environmental Protect Association (EPA) recommended the annual consumption of biofuels according to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) established in 2005. But the EPA may
look to lower this recommendation in fiscal year 2014 ~ 2015 due to the decline
in gasoline consumption and a blend wall for several years (see RITE Today2014). On the other hand, with respect to a feedstock change to non-food cellulosic materials to avoid undesirable competition with the food supply, large-scale
cellulose ethanol plants became operational from last year, and a plant with thehighest capacity to date is planned to open in Iowa in 2015. These plants use
mixed sugars which are obtained by enzyme saccharification of agricultural resi-

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dues such as corn stover as a raw material for ethanol fermentation. On the other
hand, the production of corn ethanol in the U.S. also reached record levels toward the end of 2014. It is considered that this is due to a decline of corn prices(~$4/bushel) due to a plentiful harvest for several years, high prevailing ethanol
prices and increase of U.S. ethanol export.
2.2 Current state of next generation biofuels
Biobutanol attracts attention as a next generation biofuel following ethanol.
Compared to ethanol, butanol exhibits several advantages; it has high energy
content while being transportable via existing pipelines after mixing at oil factories
with gasoline due to its low water solubility (see RITE Today 2014 for biobutanol
production technology). Isobutanol commercial plant using corn as a raw material
became operational in the U.S. in 2014. In this facility, isobutanol is produced bya retrofitted ethanol plant modified in the processes of ethanol fermentation anddistillation. At present, it is difficult to make sudden expansion of biobutanol production volume because U.S. bioethanol plants have a high profitability. However
increased future of butanol development is expected because butanol is a hopeful raw material for C4 chemicals as well as biojet fuels.
3. Current state of global Green chemicals and their expectation
A market of bio-based chemicals (green chemicals) such as amber acid,lactic acid, Bio-PET, etc. is emerging, with an estimation that it will account for
10% in the world market of chemicals in 2015. For example, it was a topic of discussion last year when a major European chemical company succeeded in the
production of a high water absorption resin from a bioacrylic acid. A material ofthis bioacrylic acid is 3-hydroxypropionic acid which is a fermentation productfrom glucose as raw material. In addition to the bioacrylic acid production, bioisoprene production by collaboration of a tire manufacturer and a biotechnology
company, and a commercial production project of a polyamide material (dodecanedioic acid) by a biotechnology venture were also reported. In the green chemicals field, bioplastic production and consumption are expanding and Bio-PET and
Bio-PE which are mentioned above are towing the market.
In Japan, it is predicted that the market for bioplastics will exceed 40,000
tons in 2015. Their major application is in the manufacture of drink bottles andplastic grocery bags. On the other hand, a new market is also advancing for conventional biological degradation resins such as polylactic acid which is used as atime-degradable material in shale gas mining and support ingredient to increase
oil and gas recovery (called drilling chemical).

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4. Technology development of RITE
4.1 Feature of RITE Bioprocess (Growth-Arrested Bioprocess)
RITE has developed an efficient biomass utilization technology based on
intrinsic characteristics of coryneform bacteria. The so-called "RITE Bioprocess"(a growth-arrested bioprocess) has so far enabled elevated productivities ofgreen chemicals and biofuels. The process can produce them efficiently with highcost performance, therefore it receives recognition from home and abroad.

Fig. 2: Features of RITE Bioprocess (Growth-Arrested Bioprocess)In the RITE Bioprocess, coryneform bacteria are engineered to have an
optimum metabolic pathway for a particular target chemical. The cells are grown
on a large scale and packed to very high densities in a reactor in order to maximize the catalyst/volume ratio at the production stage. Sugars are subsequently
added to initiate bioconversion as a substrate under oxygen deprivation (Fig. 2).
The key to achieving high efficiency and high productivity is the effective separation of the microbial growth phase from the production phase of the target compound. This manner of using bacterial cells as if they were simple chemical catalysts enables one to produce large amounts of chemicals in short periods of time,and unlike conventional bioprocesses, the productivities reached, expressed as
space-time-yield (STY), are comparable to those of chemical processes (seeRITE Today 2013~2014 in detail).
We are constantly expanding the range of product options of the RITE Bioprocess. We implement global analysis tools including system biology based on
metabolome analysis, metabolic pathway design, and genome engineering basedon the genome database of coryneform bacteria. In addition to the successful production of ethanol, or L- and D-lactic acids and succinic acid, we are developing awhole range of new targets such as butanol, aromatic compounds etc. In the next
chapter, we introduce a challenge to high cell inhibitors manufacturing technology. These materials have been considered to be impossible to produce by fermentation due to its high inhibitory effect on microbial cells.

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4.2 Challenge to high cell inhibitors manufacturing technology
High cell inhibitors are the materials which inhibit microbial fermentation.
They inhibit microbial cell growth by their high toxicity to the cell and affect fermentation productivity. Specifically, phenol and higher alcohols are well known as
the inhibitors. When such materials are produced by microbial fermentation, low
productivity (declines of formation rate and product concentration, etc.) is seen
due to their high toxicity to the cell, indicating that the practical production is difficult. But material production by our RITE Bioprocess is considered to be insensitive to the inhibitors due to its independence of cell growth compared to conventional bioprocess in which the production depends on cell growth. Moreover
coryneform bacteria show higher tolerance to aromatic compounds and higher alcohols compared to other bacteria (Fig. 3). By using these excellent features ofour process, we have developed a manufacturing technology with high tolerance
to cell inhibitors. In the next chapter, we introduce phenol production by a twostage process originally developed by our group.

Fig. 3: Challenge to high cell inhibitors manufacturing technology

4.3 Phenol production by a two stage process
Phenol has been widely used as raw materials of phenol resin and a polycarbonate, etc. and its production from biomass by microbial fermentation has
been expected, however green phenol was considered to be difficult due to its
toxicity to microbial cells. On the other hand, the material production by RITE Bioprocess is independent of cell growth therefore it is expected to avoid cell inhibition by phenol during its production stage. Moreover, our coryneform bacteria
show good growth in the presence of 0.2% phenol and they also can grow in thepresence of 0.24% phenol, indicating high tolerance to phenol compared to othermicrobes such as Escherichia coli. In addition to these excellent features, we developed a two stage process for the practical production of green phenol (Fig.4).
In the two stage process, 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HBA) is produced by34

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Fig. 4: Phenol production by a two stage process

RITE Bioprocess in the first stage. 4-HBA is an intermediate to phenol and has little inhibitory effect on the cell compared to phenol. And then the 4-HBA is converted to phenol. Since conversion of 4-HBA to phenol is one step reaction by adecarboxylase and low inhibitory effect on the cell is expected, the two stage
process made high productivity of phenol possible compared with direct phenol
production from glucose. This green phenol production process achieved final
concentration of 22g/L, which is the best one in the experimental results reported
so far. Thus the two stage process developed for green phenol production makes
high efficiency and productivity possible, and realizes practical use of manufacturing technology to produce green phenol. We introduce our efforts of industrialization of this technology in Chapter 5.
4.4 Development of 100% green jet fuel production technology
According to an IEA report (IEA Energy Technology Perspective), CO 2
emissions from the aviation sector will become most significant, contributing 40%
of total CO2 emission of the global transportation sector. Currently, worldwide
flights by aircrafts contribute 20% of the CO2 emissions of the global transportation sector, but it is not easy to reduce these CO2 emissions from the aircrafts
fundamentally. Therefore it is considered that the CO2 emissions of aircrafts must
continue increasing with an increase in the number of passengers from emerging
countries and LCC (low cost carriers), even if technologies for weight saving of
the aircraft body progress.
For this reason, utilization of sustainable biofuels in place of crude oilbased jet fuels is expected to reduce the proportion of CO2 emissions by theworldwide airline industry (Fig. 5). Current petroleum jet fuel is a mixture which
consists of saturated branched or circular hydrocarbons with C10-C15 and aromatic compounds and its physical properties are standardized strictly. But, since a
conventional biojet fuel derived from plant oil is composed of only saturated hydrocarbons, it is necessary to blend petroleum jet fuel to meet the requirement of
the physical properties. Therefore we proposed the world's first 100% green jet
fuel manufacturing technology which can produce both of various branched or circular saturated hydrocarbon and aromatics, and it can meet the standard of petroleum jet fuel (Fig. 6).
In this proposal, we modify microbes to produce the above-mentioned

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Fig. 5: Measure against CO2 emission if international aviation

RITE Today 2015

Fig. 6: Development of 100% green jet fuel production technology

compounds from mixed sugars of biomass and develop a 100% green jet fuelmanufacturing technology which is difficult to achieve by a conventional fermentation technology.
5. RITE’s effort for industrialization
5.1 Establishment of Green-phenol development Co., Ltd.
As described in a previous chapter, we established Green-phenol development Co., Ltd. by RITE and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. for industrialization ofgreen phenol by using the two stage process (see Topics in detail).
5.2 Research on Butanol
We have conducted the development of a highly efficient technology to
produce butanol from non-food biomass by using RITE Bioprocess with coryneform bacteria harboring butanol biosynthesis ability. In order to obtain high conversion rates (sugar-based yield) to butanol from mixed sugars derived from cellulosic biomass, we investigated improved performance of the cells by metabolicengineering, achieving high STY with respect to the butanol production. It is
known that butanol has strong cell toxicity against cell growth and inhibits microbial butanol production, but coryneform bacteria show much better tolerance tobutanol than other industrial microbes. We also started development of the production system to concentrate the butanol density (~several %) efficiently, by
combining membranes with an efficient butanol recovering method (Fig. 7).
We have worked with U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the international collaboration
study on a project aiming at use butanol as jet fuel material, introduced last year (see RITE Today 2014). In thisproject, we could obtain a corynebacterium strain with hightolerance to butanol by a gene mutation introduction method developed originally, and high butanol yield from sugars
was achieved according to improvement by introduction ofa high functionality enzyme into the strain. With respect toFig. 7: Butanol production system combined a continuous reactor andmembrane recovery method36butanol manufacturing technology, practical strains for in-R&D Activities〈Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group〉

RITE Today 2015

dustrialization is developed smoothly. Since we launched a plan to develop a butanol production system including a recovery method, we expect a collaboration
work with a company interested in the development.
5.3 Development of shikimic acid manufacturing technology
Global demand for shikimic acid is increasing as chemical intermediate influ curative Tamiflu (oseltamivir) synthesis. Tamiflu is required to stockpile for flu
pandemic, but a problem is lack of its raw material, shikimic acid. The shikimic
acid belongs to hydroxy acid group with 3 asymmetric carbon atoms and is important as a raw material and synthetic chemical intermediate for medicinal products, cosmetics and agricultural chemicals, etc. in addition to Tamiflu. Sinceshikimic acid is usually extracted from dried fruit of Shikimi (Star Anise) and purified, it was low yield and high cost. Moreover, Shikimi production concentrated at
China, and there was also a problem of overharvesting, therefore a production of
microbial fermentation is expected by using renewable materials like biomass. In
RITE, we have focused on shikimic acid as an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of aromatics such as aromatic amino acids in corynebacteria. As a result, we succeeded its high productivity compared to those previously reported,by the improvement of strain, for examples reinforcement of sugar import systemand shikimate biosynthesis pathways, and a blocking of shikimate resolution
process etc. This technology development received a lot of response from companies, and we expect to link it to collaborative research and development aiming
at practical use.
6. Ending remarks
Production of new natural gas (shale gas) begins in earnest in North
America, and the "shale gas revolution" is proceeding as a game changer in theenergy market of the world, economy and industrial structure. A new petrochemical industry is predicted to lead to an expanded production of chemicals fromshale gas as a raw material. Methane from shale gas and ethylene based chemicals are expected to have considerable cost competitiveness, whereas rise in theprice of chemicals with 4 carbons or more and aromatics is predicted (Fig. 8).
Such movement may be a fair wind in the future for biorefinery industry where
chemicals with more 4 carbons can be easily produced by microbial fermentation fromvarious sugars derived from biomass.
We hope to make efforts for the realization and expansion of biorefinery industry
which contributes towards global warming
prevention, environmental protection andconstruction of a sustainable society.
Fig. 8: Effect of shale gas revolution on chemical industry

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Chemical Research GroupShin-ich Nakao
Group Leader【Key members】

Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Senior Researcher

Takayuki Higashii,

Satoshi Mikami, Senior Researcher

Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher

Hidenao Yamada, Senior Researcher

Naotsugu Ito, Chief Researcher

Shin Yamamoto, Senior Researcher

Yoshinobu Sato, Chief Researcher

Fuminori Ito, Researcher

Ryoichi Nishida, Chief Researcher

Kouji Kida, Researcher

Katsunori Yogo, Associate Chief Researcher

Takashi Saito, Researcher

Ken-ichi Ikeda, Senior Researcher

Shuhong Duan , Researcher

Shigenobu Okajima, Senior Researcher

Ryohei Numaguchi, Researcher

Teruhiko Kai, Senior Researcher

Junpei Fujiki, Researcher

Tsuguhiro Kato, Senior Researcher

Kouta Yamazaki, Researcher

Kazuya Goto, Senior Researcher

Challenges in the Advanced Industrializationof CO2 Capture Technologies and the Development of Inorganic Membranes and Membrane
Reactors for H2 Energy Production
1. Technologies for CO2 capture and hydrogen energy
CO2 capture and storage (CCS) consists of trapping CO2 (a greenhousegas) from the emissions generated during fossil fuel combustion by sources suchas electric power plants and factories, and subsequently containing the captured
CO2 in geological formations. At present, the costs associated with capturing CO2
from emission sources are estimated to account for approximately 60% of theoverall CCS expenditures. Therefore, it is important to reduce CO2 capture costs
to allow the practical application of CCS.
The Chemical Research Group studies various CO2 capture technologies,
with a special focus on chemical absorption, membrane separation and adsorption methods. This work has involved the development of new materials andprocessing methods as well as investigations of capture systems. These studies
have thus far generated significant outcomes and assisted in the progress of research in this particular field.
In this regard, we have developed chemical absorbents that allow CO2
capture at an energy consumption rate of 2.0 GJ/t-CO2 and from which the CO2
may be regenerated at temperatures below 100 °C. One such chemical absorbent with particular promise was selected for application in a commercial CO2 capture plant owned by a private Japanese company that became operational in thefall of 2014.
Molecular gate membrane modules are also being developed to selectively capture CO2 from H2-containing pressurized gases such as those generated in38

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the integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC), with a CO2 capture cost
target of 1500 JPY/t-CO2.
In addition, our investigations have demonstrated the exceptional performance of new types of dendrimer/polymer hybrid membranes designed to separate
CO2 from CO2/H2 gas mixtures. RITE, together with three private companies, hasestablished a joint research association to develop these membranes along withmembrane modules and separation systems for practical applications. Recently,
our lab was successful in achieving the project’s CO2 separation performancegoals using laboratory-scale membranes composed of modified materials.
Based on our technologies, including the development of proprietary solvents at RITE, we are also investigating solid sorbents for CO2 capture with theaim of increasing the energy efficiency of the capture process. At present, thesynthesis of novel solid sorbents that allow capture at an energy requirement of
1.5 GJ/t-CO2 are being researched. As a result, we have successfully developed
a RITE-solvent-based solid sorbent that can be regenerated at low temperatures,and this product is currently being evaluated with regard to its practical applicability.
Recently, there has been a significant emphasis of the use of CO2-free,hydrogen-based energy, generated by either renewable sources or fossil fuels
combined with CCS. To realize this, it is necessary to develop efficient processes
for the dehydrogenation of chemical hydrides such as methylcyclohexane or ammonia to allow for the ready storage and transportation of hydrogen. In responseto this requirement, our group is developing silica and zeolite membranes for theprocessing of methylcyclohexane as well as a palladium membrane for use withammonia. Moreover, membrane reactors incorporating these membranes arealso under development and steady gains are being made.
As noted above, our aim is to promote innovative CO2 capture technologies as well as other new processes to reduce CO2, thus laying the foundations
for next generation technologies while developing practical processes that are
acceptable to industry.
2. Development of CO2 capture technology by chemical absorption systems
CO2 capture by chemical absorption is a prospective technology for separating CO2 from a CO2-containing gas through the thermal dissociation of CO2that has been chemically absorbed in an amine-based solution. This technology
is suitable for CO2 separation from ambient pressure gases generated in industrial processes.
Over the last decade, we have developed highly efficient CO2 absorbents
capable of reducing the energy consumption associated with CO2 separation,
which is the primary concern associated with chemical absorption systems.
Between 2004 and 2008, the COCS project was implemented for the capture and separation of CO2 from steel-making blast furnace gases. This technolo-

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gy was further assessed during a follow-up project (COURSE 50, Step 1) between 2008 and 2012, during which time the target CO 2 capture energy
consumption rate of 2.0 GJ/t-CO2 was achieved. Moreover, the development ofbreakthrough chemical absorbents enabled the associated CO2 regeneration
process to occur at temperatures of less than 100 °C. (Figs. 1, 2)

Fig. 1: A cost-saving CO2 capture system scheme

Fig. 2: P hotographic images of a technology demonstration plant

As noted, one of the highest performing absorbents developed during thiswork was selected for application in a commercial CO2 capture plant owned by a
private Japanese company, which became operational in the fall of 2014.
Starting in 2013 with a projected end date in 2017, we are conducting the
COURSE 50 Step 2 project, in which higher performance chemical absorbents
will be developed, enabling a reduced CO2 capture cost of 2000 JPN/t-CO2 in thesteel-making industry.
As additional outcomes of the research and development of highly energyefficient absorbents, we have demonstrated chemical absorbents with excellent
CO2 absorption and dissociation performances that enable CO2 regeneration under high pressures. We are also currently developing CO2 sorption systems withimproved performances.

Fig. 3: Schematic of the IGCC-CO2 capture system

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In addition, a novel solvent has been synthesized that exhibits high CO2
recovery and excellent CO2 absorption and desorption rates, suggesting that it
will allow the recovery of CO2 with reduced energy consumption under high pressures. The total energy consumption rate for CO2 separation and capture whenusing this process, including the energy required for compression, has been estimated to be less than 1.2 GJ/t-CO2.
3. CO2 and H2 separation using polymeric membranes
Under the project “Cool Earth 50,” the government of Japan has announced its intention to reduce the country’s CO2 emissions to half of the current
emission levels by 2050. One promising means of reducing CO2 emissions is thedevelopment of a joint integrated coal gasification combined cycle together with a
CO2 capture and storage system (IGCC–CCS, Fig. 3). As part of this project, ourgroup is currently developing molecular gate membrane modules that effectively
separate CO2 during the IGCC–CCS process. The development of these CO2
molecular gate membrane modules is being performed under a project recognized by the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), a ministerial-levelinternational climate change initiative focused on the development of improved,
cost-effective technologies for the separation and capture of CO2 for transportand long-term safe storage.
Fig. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the working principles of a molecular gate membrane. In this device, the gas molecule pathways are occupied solely by CO2, which acts as a gate to block the passage of other gases. Consequently, the amount of N2 or H2 diffusing to the other side of the membrane isgreatly reduced and high concentrations of CO2 can be obtained.

Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of a molecular gate membrane

RITE has also developed new types of dendrimer/polymer hybrid membranes showing excellent performance during the separation of CO2 from CO2/H2
gas mixtures, enabling high CO2 permeance and CO2/H2 selectivity.
Based on these materials, RITE, the Kuraray Co., Ltd., the Nitto Denko
Corporation and the Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. have estab-41

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lished the Molecular Gate Membrane Module Technology Research Association
for the purpose of researching new membranes, membrane modules and separation systems (Fig. 5). As well, the Kuraray Co. and RITE are collaborating to develop membranes with a target CO2 capture cost of 1500 JPY/t-CO2. Recently,
our group succeeded in improving the separation performance of such membranes through the modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) materials, and thetarget CO2 separation performance was obtained using laboratory-scale membranes (Fig. 6). In the future, we intend to investigate the effects of operating
conditions on the performances of membrane modules during practical usage.

Fig. 5: Development of membrane modules in collaboration with private companies

Fig. 6: Separation performance of PVA-based molecular gate membranes(QCO2: CO2 permeance; a: selectivity)

4. Advanced development of CO2 capture by solid sorbents
Since 2010, RITE has been working on a project funded by the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) with the aim of developing solid sorbents foran energy-saving CCS process and establishing evaluation standards for such
systems. We are endeavoring to fabricate novel solid sorbents that are applicable42

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to CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants, with a target energy requirement of
1.5 GJ/t-CO2 (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7: Development of a CO2 solid sorbent scheme

During this work it has been found that solid sorbents prepared fromamines and porous supports exhibit similar CO2 sorption characteristics to thoseof liquid amine solvents. Additionally, solid sorbents have the advantage of a lower anticipated heat input for regeneration. The relationship between amine structures and their CO2 desorption performances was established by computational
chemistry and these findings led to the fabrication of a more efficient solid sorbent in terms of desorption performance and sorption capacity (Fig. 8).
RITE also performed simulation studies to accurately estimate the energy
and cost of CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants (Fig. 9). The CO2 capture
process was modeled based on amine–CO2 chemical reactions. The energy efficiency of a power plant with a CCS was estimated to improve by about 2% whena solid sorbent was used in place of an advanced liquid amine solvent. Currently,
we are evaluating the solid sorbent process using a lab-scale adsorption/regeneration test apparatus, and also carrying out simulation studies on the resulting
efficiency penalty with regard to power generation. To date, the CO2 capture en-

Fig. 8 Performance of a CO2 solid sorbent system

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ergy requirement using this system has been estimated to be less than 2.0 GJ/
t-CO2, and an examination of the practical use of the RITE-developed solid sorbent is underway.

Fig. 9: Performance of a CO2 capture solid sorbent system implemented in a power plant

5. Development of inorganic membranes for H2 energy production
It is necessary to develop efficient means of dehydrogenating chemical
hydrides such as methylcyclohexane or ammonia to establish new energy systems based on CO2-free hydrogen. This topic was extensively addressed during
the 4th Strategic Energy Plan endorsed by the Japanese Cabinet in April, 2014.
As such, our group is developing inorganic membranes for hydrogen separationand designing membrane reactors incorporating such membranes.
A project for manufacture and use of energy carriers initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2013 restarted as a new project under the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) in July, 2014. In this endeavor, RITE was tasked with
developing inorganic hydrogen selective membranes and membrane reactors forhydrogen supply stations in collaboration with Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Utsunomiya and Kogakuin Universities and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST).
This work focused in particular on silica membranes prepared using acounter-diffusion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus (Fig. 10) as well asother porous inorganic membranes for processing methylcyclohexane and porefill type Pd membranes (Fig. 11) for use with ammonia. Both processes can be
expected to allow true high-efficiency, compact hydrogen generation. Our Pd
membranes are anticipated to greatly improve the durability of the associatedgeneration devices and also to reduce the cost, both of which are presently seri-

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RITE Today 2015ous challenges with Pd membranes.

Fig.11: A pore-fill type Pd membrane

Fig.10: Preparation of methylcyclohexane using a counter-diffusion CVD apparatus

In 2013, RITE also began another project funded by NEDO. In this work,
RITE is collaborating with the Chiyoda Corporation to develop membrane reactors for compact, lower-temperature H2 generation systems using methylcyclohexane. The goal of this project is to fabricate a hydrogen generator with decentralized power for small-to-medium sized customers such as commercial
establishments and office buildings. Thus our group is developing single-tube
type membrane reactors and designing modular hydrogen generators for the dehydration of methylcyclohexane.
In dehydration tests using such single-tube type membrane reactors, it
was confirmed that the membrane reactor operates at a reaction temperature
lower than those of conventional dehydration reactions with post-separation (Fig.
12). We intend to continue to explore means of further lowering the reaction temperature and developing improved hydrogen generators incorporating dehydration membrane reactors.
Finally, in the COURSE 50 Step 2 project, CVD-based silica membranes
will be developed as membrane reactors employing the water gas shift reactionand H2 separation to allow H2 generation from blast furnace gases.

Fig.12: Decreased methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation reaction temperature using a single-tube
type membrane reactor

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2

CO2 Storage Research Group【Key members】

Kenji Yamaji
Group Leader

Makoto Nomura,

Yasuhiro Okabayashi, Senior Researcher

Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher

Keiichi Tsujimoto, Senior Researcher

Zipiu Xue, Chief Researcher

Yuji Watanabe, Senior Researcher

Tadashi Kanbayashi, Chief Researcher

Tetsuma Toshioka, Senior Researcher

Yoshu Ota, Associate Chief Researcher

Yasuhide Nakagami, Senior Researcher

Takeshi Myoi, Associate Chief Researcher

Osamu Takano, Senior Researcher

Michimasa Magi, Senior Researcher

Keisuke Uchimoto, Senior Researcher

Tsutomu Hashimoto, Senior Researcher

Hironori Izumi, Senior Researcher

Osamu Nishizawa, Senior Researcher

Atsushi Ibusuki, Senior Researcher

Takahiro Nakajima, Senior Researcher

Yi Zhang, Researcher

Yoshinobu Othuki, Senior Researcher

Kazuhiko Nakano, Researcher

Jun Kita, Senior Researcher

Hyuck Park, Researcher

Tamotsu Kiyama, Senior Researcher

Takuma Ito, Researcher

Saeko Mito, Senior Researcher

Takamichi Nakamura, Researcher

Ryozo Tanaka, Senior Researcher

Moving toward Commercialization of
CO2 Storage Technologies
1. Overview
Reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a dominant component of greenhouse gases (GHG), is
an imminent issue to be addressed. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a series of technologies for separating
and capturing CO2 emitted from a large-scale emission sources, such as thermal power stations and steel mills,
and storing the CO2 geologically. CCS is considered as one of the effective CO2 mitigation options, together withcombustion efficiency improvement, alternative fuel use, and renewable energies.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) positions CCS as an important decarbonizing energy technology.
Its “Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 (ETP 2014)” requires 17% contribution from CCS to CO2 emission reductions in 2050 to achieve the internationally agreed target of limiting average global temperature rise to 2°C.
In this context, Japan launched a large-scale CCS demonstration project in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Currently, Japan CCS Company advances drilling works and other preparations. In the demonstration project, morethan 100 thousand tonnes of CO2 will be captured from gas generated at a hydrogen production plant annually, injected into two geological formations (Moebetsu formation at a depth of 1,100 to 1,200 meters and Takinoue formation at a depth of 2,400 to 3,000 meters), and then monitored for watching its behavior.
RITE carries out a program of research and development on a wide range of safety assessment technologies for CO2 geological storage, a Japan-China CCS-EOR project, collaboration with international organizations
and a global CCS development survey. RITE aims to apply the outcomes from these projects to the large-scale
CCS demonstration project and to facilitate the future implementation of CCS in Japan.

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2. Research and Development of CO2 geological storage
There are a number of types in CO2 underground injections: injection into oil fields to enhance oil recovery(EOR); injection into coal seams to enhance methane recovery (ECBM); injection in depleted gas fields to sequestrate CO2; and injection in deep saline aquifers to store CO2. The injection into deep saline aquifer for storing CO2 has, as shown in Fig. 1, an impermeable caprock formation (a mudstone layer) with high sealing properties above the aquifer (a sandstone layer). Thus, once injected, CO2 can be stably and safely stored for a long
period of time.
A framework of RITE’s research works on CO2 geological storage is shown in Fig.2: evaluating storage
performance (building geological models), analyzing CO2 behavior in a reservoir (monitoring and numerical simulation of CO2 behavior), and analyzing CO2 migration from a reservoir (numerical simulation of CO2 migration anddeveloping methods for offshore environmental impact assessment). Furthermore, RITE is compiling best practice manuals based on our works and lessons we have learned from the projects in and out of Japan.

Fig. 1: Concept of CO2 geological storage

Fig. 2: R&D on CO2 geological storage technologies

2.1 Development of techniques of evaluating storage performance
RITE is developing methodologies of evaluating storage performance under two programs: “establishing amethodology of modelling geological formations unique to Japan” and “developing a methodology of analyzing
groundwater flow”.
The Analysis of the behavior of CO2 injected in areservoir requires a precise geologic model that takes
heterogeneity into account. On the other hand, not somany geological data such as those from core samples
and physical logging are available because in CCS
projects the number of exploration wells are limited fromthe viewpoint of avoiding leaks of stored CO2 as much as
possible. For the evaluation of reservoirs physical properties and geological modelling, therefore, the development of a methodology is desired to make the best use ofdata acquired under such restriction. Taking the Nagaoka
CO2 storage site as an example, RITE analyzed the geological properties of the site and clarified its depositional
environment of stratums. We found out that geologicalFig. 3: 3-D distribution of mud content in the uppermost andlowermost parts of the reservoir

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models can be refined by building a geological formation framework based on the depositional environment andthen determining mud content rates, porosities and permeability of the formations.
In the development of a methodology of groundwater flow analysis, we assess the impacts of CO2 injection
on regional groundwater flow in a case where CO2 is stored in a coastal area. The analysis of this kind requires
us to develop a hydrogeological model that covers both the land and the sea by combining onshore and offshore
geological data. In such a way, RITE has been building a model suitable for the Tomakomai demonstration site. Itis critical in the precise evaluation of groundwater flow to utilize not only data in literatures and also data of hydrological constants such as porosities and permeability acquired by taking core samples on site and analyzing themand to understand the state of groundwater before CO2 injection.
2.2 Analysis of CO2 behavior in reservoir
For wider deployment of CO2 geological storage, it is important to monitor CO2 injected in a deep reservoir
and demonstrate that the CO2 is retained stably there. For this purpose, RITE is comprehensively analyzing dataacquired at the Nagaoka site, including physical logging data, to clarify the mechanisms of storing CO2 and to improve techniques to simulate long-term CO2 behavior. In addition, RITE is actively developing other technologies
for CO2 geological storage, including a methodology to assess micro-seismicity induced by CO2 injection and fiberoptic sensing for monitoring the deformation of geological formations.
- Development of a methodology of evaluating microseismicity induced by CO2 injection
RITE, in co-operation with the US Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, continues monitoring of microseismicity induced by CO2 injection with an observation system installed in shallow boreholes at a CO2 injection
site in the United State of America. We analyze the relationship between observed microseismicity and CO2 injection by examining monitoring data acquired so far. We also consider a basic design of a Traffic Light System (TLS)
for CO2 injection management, based on microseismicity monitoring.
- Development of a technology to monitor the stability of geological formations during and after CO2 injection
At a CO2 geological storage site, it is essential to monitor the deformation of geological formations as wellas temperatures and pressures continuously along a depth direction for the assessment of the integrity of CO2 geological storage. RITE has been developing a technology for monitoring the deformation of geological formations
and has completed to establish
a basic technology to measure
the deformation of formations
with optic fibers. Aimed at making the technology commercially
viable, we installed prototypes oflong optic fiber cables in a deeper well in FY 2014, building on afield test in FY 2012, and examined technical challenges toward
its practical application.
Toward its commercialization in future, we need to develop fiber-optic cables applicaFig. 4: Fiber-optic measurement of formation deformation due to water injection48

ble to CO2 storage sites. RITE,

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RITE Today 20152

therefore, is developing fiber-optic cables that are not only highly sensitive to temperature, pressure and strain but
also strong enough to be embedded underground.
- Analysis of CO2 behavior with a X-ray CT scanner and up-scaling
To evaluate long-term integrity of CO2 geological storage in a deep reservoir, it is essential to understandCO2 behavior in a heterogeneous reservoir and to reveal the mechanisms of replacement between formation brine
and CO2. RITE clarified the characteristics of CO2-formation water replacement and CO2 residual trapping mechanisms through visualizing CO2 distribution in remarkably-heterogeneous core samples taken at the Nagaoka CO2
storage site with a X-ray CT scanner. We revealed the correlations between the visualized CO2 distributions androck properties such as elastic wave velocity and resistivity and then applied them to interpretation of data ofphysical logging and seismic surveys obtained at the CO2 injection site. We also made progress of up-scaling research, applying the expertise compiled through the study to storage performance assessment.
- CO2 behavior at Nagaoka site
RITE conducted a CO2 storage project in Nagaoka, Niigata from July 2003 to January 2005, injecting
10,400 tonnes of CO2 into a deep saline aquifer at a depth of 1,100 meters. Building on the injection project, RITE
has developed methodologies for monitoring the status of CO2 underground and a simulator for predicting CO2 behavior in a reservoir. There have been a number of overseas storage projects but it is only the Nagaoka sitewhere the behavior of CO2 has been monitored precisely for more than 10 years after the completion of injection.

Fig. 5: Visualized CO2 distribution in a core sample

Fig. 6: Results of CO2 behavior monitoring near an observation well at
the Nagaoka site

Outcomes from the monitoring, therefore, attract close attention in the world.
In the development of monitoring methodologies, we repeatedly carried out physical logging, formation water sampling, and cross-well seismic tomography and evaluated CO2 distribution and its state – whether to be in asupercritical phase or be dissolved in formation water. In FY 2014, we conducted borehole physical logging andmade sure that CO2 has been stored safely by verifying that CO2 has stayed nearly at the same place after injection. We also made certain that dissolution of CO2 has been in progress, shifting to safer trapping.
In the development of CO2 behavior simulator, we have verified it precisely with monitoring data acquired at
the Nagaoka site. We have been updating an initial geological model through history matching with observation
data and have nearly completed a model necessary for a long-term behavior prediction of injected CO2.

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2.3 Analysis of CO2 migration from reservoir
In order to keep the marine environment safe while storing CO2 under the seabed, it is necessary to watch
CO2 not to seep from the reservoir into the sea. When leaked from the seabed, CO2 is in a gaseous or dissolved
state.
A way of monitoring CO2 dissolved in seawater is to measure prime values that represent a carbonate system there, including pH, total carbonic acid and total alkalinity, and compare them with background data. Analyzing observational data in the public domain, RITE demonstrated that anomalous values caused by seepage aredetectable when measuring the major components of the carbonate system together with dissolved oxygen. As anext step, RITE has been measuring these components of a carbonate system in a real sea to grasp natural fluctuation in a carbonate system and to examine the detectability of anomalous values in the natural fluctuation. Its
preliminary results suggest that a carbonate system in a coastal area can be varied significantly under natural
conditions in a short term but that the measurement of the variation of dissolved oxygen can make it possible toclarify a range of natural fluctuation in a carbonate systemand to detect anomalous values with a high accuracy.
In a case where CO2 isseeped as gas, monitoring withacoustic equipment may be effective because gas bubbles inseawater reflect and scattersonic wave. For this purpose,
we have been examining thecapability of bubble detectionof tools such as side-scan soFig. 7: CO2 distribution immediately after the completion of injection - Results of cross-wellseismic tomography and computational simulationnars and multibeam
bathymetries by testing themwith gas blowout at an offshore
natural site and with man-madebubbles at laboratory. These
devices are widely-used forseafloor exploration and bathymetric survey and capable ofdetecting bubbles. Outcomesso far demonstrate that they
can detect relatively smallscale seepage. There are various kinds of instruments thathave been developed forFig. 8: Results of simulations with the narrow area model:(a) Vertical distribution of concentration of seeped CO2, (b) Enlarged view of the yellow box in Fig. a, and(c) Time series of seeped CO2 at the seepage point

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acoustic survey so that we may
be able to apply them in various ways from two-dimensional

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2large area monitoring to spot monitoring with the limited number of survey points.
In addition, RITE is developing models to simulate in which area CO2 seeped into seawater is spread at
what concentration. Seawater flow, which is an essential element in the modelling, is generated not necessarily
by wind blowing directly above around the flow and possibly by wind blowing at sea far from the flow. Aimed atmaking the models more accurate, RITE has, therefore, been developing them by combining two different numerical models: one is capable of simulating at a scale of hundreds km (a wide area model) and the other is capableof high-resolution calculation around a CO2 seepage area (a narrow area model). We have confirmed so far thatthe wide area model is capable of simulating realistic flow. We have also improved the narrow area model in a
way that can be given wind stresses on the seawater surface and water temperature and salinity on the sideboundaries temporally and spatially. Shown in Fig.8 is a result of simulation with the narrow area model at a seepage rate of 250 tonnes per year.
2.4 Compilation of CCS Best Practice Manuals toward CCS commercialization
The world-first commercial operation of CO2 saline aquifer storage was started in a North Sea oil field
Sleipner in Norway in 1996. Since then, the practical application of CCS technologies has been increased with anumber of CO2 storage projects launched in various countries such as Australia, the United State of America andJapan. In parallel, laws and regulations necessary for CCS deployment have been made.
Foreseeing domestic and global CCS deployment in future, RITE has been compiling CCS Best PracticeManuals as a technical reference for Japanese companies to carry out CCS projects. Best practices have beencollected and sorted out from Japan’s experiences, including the Nagaoka CO2 storage project and the CCS demonstration project in Tomakomai, and overseas experiences mainly in American and European projects.
We have been making progress in the compilation work of the manual, receiving consultation from aworking group of experts
from the CCS related areas
for the manual formed in FY
2014. The current schedule
is to complete Chapter 1 “basic planning” to Chapter 4“implementation planning” by
the end of FY 2015 and tocomplete Chapter 5 “designing and construction” toChapter 8 “post-closure man-

Fig. 9: Structure of CCS Best Practice Manual

agement” by FY 2020.
3. Japan-China CCS-EOR project
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), a series of technologies of capturing CO2 from fossil fuel combustionand storing it geologically, will be a critically important technology among countermeasures against global warming. Among others, CCS-EOR, a combination of CCS and enhanced oil recovery (EOR), draws attention as a51

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2driver of the early deployment of CCS technologies since the scheme generates commercial profits.
A broad use of CCS-EOR is highly anticipated in China. There are a number of potential sites and several
oil fields have already experienced CCS-EOR operations. On the other hand, there are some cases where oil
production increase is far less than expected and improvement in the effect of CCS-EOR is a challenge to be addressed.
To tackle the problem, RITE and the international department of the China National Petroleum Corporation(CNPC) concluded a co-operative agreement on CCS-EOR at the 4th Japan-China Energy Conservation and Environment Forum in Beijing in November 2009.
Based on the agreement, RITE and CNPC have been collaborating on CCS-EOR, promoting technical exchange by co-hosting CCS-EOR workshops in 2009 and 2010, a workshop on energy conservation, environment
preservation and GHG reduction in 2011 and paying reciprocal visits to CCS or CCS-EOR related facilities andsites.
Through these co-operative activities, CNPC got recognized that RITE has technologies effective to improve the efficiency of CCS-EOR, including CO2 behavior monitoring and a CO2 microbubble technology that increases the penetration of CO2
in oil layers. In order to demonstrate these technologies,
several candidate sites wereselected in FY 2013.
To r e v i e w o u t c o m e sfrom the collaboration, anotherJapan-China CCS-EOR workshop was held in Beijing in
September 2014, which received the great number ofparticipants from major oilcompanies, power companies
and policy-making organizaFig. 10: Concept of CCS-EOR

tions as well as stakeholders in
CNPC. The event included thestatus of CCS-EOR presented
by China, the introduction of
RITE’s technologies and Japan’s proposal of businessmodels for CCS-EOR operation. The workshop revealed
accomplishment and challenges in CCS-EOR in China andreconfirmed the effectivenessof RITE’s technologies to improve the efficiency of EOR.

Fig. 11: Japan-China CCS-EOR workshop in 2014

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When presenting a

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CCS-EOR demonstration project in a specific oil field, CNPC requested RITE to join the project. After the workshop, core members in Japan and China visited counterparts mutually and shared details of RITE-owned technologies, which led to an agreement that RITE contributes to the demonstration.
As a next step, it is planned to discuss details of the collaboration and examine a business model for CCSEOR in conjunction with plant engineering companies and trading houses.
4. Survey of Global CCS Activities and Co-operation with International Organizations
RITE monitors CCS-related activities in the world and also contributes to accelerating CCS deployment
through co-operation with international organizations. It is essential to collaborate and share knowledge with othercountries through such international organizations in order to address a number of challenges for CCS implementation, including economics, policies, regulations and public acceptance. Summarized below are key topics related
CCS in the world in the fiscal year, starting in April 2014, and major activities in an international body to which
RITE contributes—the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF).
4.1 Key CCS Topics in FY 2014
The year of 2014 was a memorial year for the CCS community. In October, the world first large-scale CCS
project in the power sector became operational at the Unit 3 of Boundary Dam Power Station in Canada. The
power plant is relatively small with a rated output of 110 MW, but it is significantly meaningful to gain practical experience of CCS operation in the CO2 intensive sector. In July, prior to this historic event, the US Petra Nova
project became the third CCS project that entered a construction phase in the power sector. This project became
a hot topic particularly in Japan because of the involvement of two Japanese companies: JX Nippon as a project
owner and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a capture technology vendor. It also drew attention from the perspectivethat it has a business model different from that in earlier projects. Its business model is the same as others in asense that captured CO2 is utilized to enhance oil recovery (EOR), but different in that the captured CO2 is not soldto any EOR operators but is used in their own EOR operation. This can be regarded as a more profitable businessmodel.
Contrary to vigorous activities in North America, it is hard not to feel that it has still been inactive in Europe.
Having said that, the United Kingdom is exceptional: preparation toward delivering large-scale projects and improving the political environment is making progress steadily. For large-scale CCS projects, basic engineering design – Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) – for two projects have been proceeded with funding from the UK
Government. It was announced in July 2014 that one of the projects, White Rose Project, where an oxyfuel combustion coal-fired power plant is to be built equipped with CCS technology, was to be awarded up to 300 million
Euro from an EU funding program NER 300. In the following month, the Government published a policy document
to call the public for input for 23 challenges in 11 categories for their future policy-making toward wider CCS deployment in future. The Government also made announcement in December that they would co-fund two and half
million sterling pound for industries to identify suitable CO2 storage sites under the North Sea and opened a callfor proposals. The fate of the project should draw interest from Japanese stakeholders, too. This is because theUK project likely shares a goal with Japan’s project to look for appropriate offshore storage sites jointly launchedby the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment in 2014.
From the viewpoint of CCS legal and regulatory issues, two movements in the United State of America
drew attention—one is regulations on CO2 emissions from power plants and the other is the first issuance of permit to CO2 injection wells, so-called Class VI wells. Both of the regulations are managed by the Environment Pro-

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tection Agency (EPA). Stakeholders paid close attention to a final version of an EPA proposed CO2 emissions
standards which was due to come into force by January 2015 and would virtually oblige all new coal-fuelled power
plants to be equipped with CCS. EPA, however, deferred its finalization and implementation to summer, claimingthat it is reasonable to introduce it together with the final Clean Power Plan, which is virtually a regulation for emissions from existing power plants and has been controversial since the publication of its draft in June 2014. The
Class VI well permits were issued to six wells in total in the latter half of 2014: those in FutureGen 2.0, which is a
CCS project with repowered oxyfuel combustion coal-fired power plant, and an industrial CCS project with abioethanol plant as the CO2 source. Operation of FutureGen CCS is not for sure at this moment but anyway all of
the wells are for CO2 storage in saline aquifer formations. Expertise and data to be acquired through theseprojects will be meaningful for Japan as well since she puts the focus on aquifer storage.
In the area of international co-operation, an agreement between the leaders of the USA and China was
spotlighted. In the agreement, which is basically for climate change countermeasures, they reached a consensus
that the role of innovation is critical and agreed on collaboration on advanced coal technology development, alarge-scale CO2 storage project and enhanced recovery of fresh water (EWR). The collaboration on large-scalestorage is due to be carried out with the involvement of third countries, which is consistent with the after-mentioned US-China led activity regarding global co-operation on large-scale CCS projects under CSLF. EWR is
aimed at producing fresh water in parallel with CO2 injection and the two countries plan its pilot-scale test. It is
worthy of monitoring progress the co-operation between the USA, a world leader in large-scale CCS operations,and China, an outstanding owner of a number of CCS project plans.
4.2 CSLF Update in FY 2014
The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) was established in 2003 as an international initiative
to promote research, development, demonstration and commercialization of CO2 capture and the geological storage and industrial utilization of the captured CO2 (CCUS) through international co-operation. CSLF is currently
composed of 22 countries, including Japan, and the European Commission. Its activities are conducted by twogroups – the Policy Group the Technical Group – and RITE has been a member of the Technical Group since
2009.
In response to outcomes from the CSLF ministerial meeting in Autumn 2013, most time in a fiscal year of2014 was spent for lively discussions in the Policy Group to determine themes for CSLF to work on and activity
plans of the selected themes. These discussions led to agreement for CSLF to start three new activities. Above
all, an activity led by the USA and China regarding international collaboration on large-scale CCS projects is ambitious in a sense that CSLF is aimed at conducting global co-operation in actual projects with CO2 storage in saline
aquifers, the number of which in the world is currently very limited. CSLF is attempting to determine a project forthe collaboration at the same timing of the next ministerial meeting to be held in autumn 2015. In an activity on thesecond and third generation capture technologies, which will be jointly conducted with the Technical Group, deliverables will include summaries of existing funding schemes and various relevant technologies, exploration of thebest use of existing large-scale testing facilities, and policy recommendations toward accelerating the development and commercialization of the technologies. Participants in this activity include researchers in the ChemicalGroup in RITE. A taskforce named Communications will determine CSLF’s unified messages to promote CCS andthen disseminate it at various events. Among important opportunities to send the message out, the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) under UNFCCC is regarded as the most critical one. In addition, it was agreed that anexisting taskforce will be continued for financing large-scale CCS projects from the financial sector. Its activity will54

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be in the same manner as before with roundtable-type discussions.
The Technical Group, as described above, will contribute to the activity on the second and third capture
technologies. In addition, the group launched a couple of new taskforces in 2014. Among others, a taskforce that
researchers in the CO2 Storage Research Group in RITE participate actively in is on offshore storage. The taskforce team plans to compile a report in mid-2015 and the report is to summarize the current status of offshore CO2
storage and EOR projects; storage potential; transport; risk analysis; wellbore management; monitoring, verification and assessment; and related regulations.

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Research & Coordination Group
Prof. Yoichi Kaya Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star
Prof. Yoichi Kaya, the President of RITE, was awarded
the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Starin the Biannual Decoration Ceremony in 2014 Spring.
This was in recognition of his service in educational andresearch field as a professor of Tokyo University over theyears and also of his contribution to the governmental affairs serving in several key positions such as the former
chairman of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources
and Energy.
He is acknowledged as a foremost expert of the research of global warming issues in Japan because of his
work as an advisor and a chairperson in the IPCC related
internal conferences. Not only that, he has been acting asa pioneer in this field worldwide by developing “the Kaya
Identity”, which is widely referred by researchers aroundthe world and remains a significant impact on the IPCC
reports. Furthermore, he contributed to establishing thebasis of energy and environment strategies of Japan while
playing presidential roles in the governmental councils anddemonstrated his strong leadership in delivering the Kyoto
Protocol target plan, which brought Japan to an accomplishment of its international commitment. Through theseachievements, he made a considerable contribution to thenational benefits.

A celebration party was held at the
RITE headquarters on June 20th, andaround 140 staff members participated in
the party. The room was decorated withthe pictures and flowers associated with
Switzerland and Austria that Prof. Kaya isfond of, and we celebrated his award withviolin performance by Prof. Yamaguchi,
the Special Advisor of RITE, and two songs from Prof.
Kaya’s favorite musical by a voluntary choral group. Somememorable pictures and comments were introduced, and acongratulatory video letter from Prof. Nebojsa Nakicenovic,
the Deputy Director General of IIASA, was also presented.
The room was filled with enjoyable atmosphere throughout
the party.

Symposium on the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report“Symposium on Global Warming CountermeasuresTo Learn the Latest Knowledge in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report concerning Measures for Mitigating Climate
Change – was held by Ministry of Economic, Trade andIndustry, Japan (METI) and RITE in Tokyo on 8th of September 2014.
This symposium was to introduce the latest finding of
the Working Group III contribution to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) adopted in Berlin in April 2014 andto enhance understanding on mitigation of climate change.
The report describes the Working Group's assessment
concerning policies and measures for curbing and reducing greenhouse gases or mitigating climate change, andalso assesses the choices for a variety of administrativelevel entities and economy sectors, as well as evaluating
various types of mitigation measures to see if they would
make any impact on society.
Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer (PIK), co-chair of Working GroupIII of IPCC, presented his keynote speech, then other leadauthors of WGⅢ, Dr. Keywan Riahi (IIASA), Mr. Taishi
Sugiyama(CRIEPI), and Dr. Keigo Akimoto (Group leader,
Systems Analysis Group)clarified key points of IPCC AR5.
In the latter half of the symposium, Ms. Masayo Hasegawa(Keidanren/Toyota) was added to the speakers above, and56

under the coordination of Prof. Mitsumine Yamaguchi (Tokyo Univ.), a panel discussion about mitigation strategies
was actively held.
More than 350 audiences with various back grounds
participated in the symposium and we believe that the
symposium was rich in significance for understanding of
mitigation strategies.

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Research & Coordination Group
GHGT-12 Participation Report
GHGT-12 (12th International Conference on Green-cal storage, capture, and others. This conference hadhouse Gas Control Technologies) was held in October

several panel discussions, one of which was on interna-

6-9th in Austin, the United States, hosted by University oftional standardization on CCS. In this session, activities

Texas at Austin and IEAGHG which is an international col-of technical committee of ISO/TC265 (ISO: International

laborative research programme as an Implementing Agree-Standard Organization) was overviewed and Takayuki

ment under the International Energy Agency (IEA). This is

Higashii, senior researcher of Chemical Research Group,

the largest international conference that focuses on mitiga-

RITE explained activities of Working Group 1 (capture) astion technologies especially CCS (Carbon dioxide captureand storage) and are held every two years between Northa convener.
At the end of five-days conference, the next GHGT-13

America, Europe and Asia. The former conference in 2012

was announced to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland in

was held by RITE and IEAGHG in Kyoto, Japan.
Participants were about 1,160 from 35 countries anddiscussed on 14 themes in 77 technical sessions: geo-

November, 2016.

logical storage has 24 sessions (including other storage
options) and capture has 22. These two themes weremajor, about 60% of all sessions.RITE gave five oral andten poster presentations in technical sessions on geologi-

Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium 2014
- Toward clean and economical low-carbon society The Innovative Environmental Technology Symposium

participants and the researchers of RITE.

2014 was held at ITO Hall (the University of Tokyo) on December 17th, 2014.
This symposium is an annual event that RITE hosts
to present our research progress and outcomes to all theparties concerned. This year we were honored to invite Mr.
Mitsumata (Deputy Director-General for Technology andEnvironment, METI) to deliver a speech on the main pointsof COP20 and the current standpoint of Japan for the
reduction target commitment. Also, Prof. Yamaguchi, theSpecial Advisor of RITE, who is one of the lead authors of
IPCC reports, gave a keynote speech on the interpretationof he IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and how to approachthe controversial issue of “limiting temperature change to 2
°C relative to pre-industrial levels”. After those speeches,
the latest achievements and the future outlook of our research and development activities were presented fromeach research group concerning the assessment of global
warming mitigations, biorefinery technology and CCS technology. We had an attendance of 394 people in total fromministries, industries and universities and could receive
meaningful inputs from the audience through active discussion.
The poster session, being organized the second timeafter last year, had a large number of visitors and offeredan opportunity to exchange opinions directly between the57

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Research & Coordination Group
Environmental Education Program on Global Warming with Experiments and Games- Our outreach activity based on “CarbonKids” It is important for next generation to have the opportu-

game. These games were tried in our facility tour programs

nity to think about the worldwide issue of global warming.

for school students or in the external exhibitions held at

For us, RITE, as the research institute which deals with

Keihanna, and were well-received by the participants ofthis issue, it is necessary to provide easy-to-understand

all ages as they could be helpful to learn about the global

explanation about carbon dioxide reduction measures,

environmental issues more easily.

such as CCS, in order to increase the public awarenessAs for the science experiments, we are trying to in-of the technologies. RITE has been continually conduct-

clude more variety of experiment items to introduce CO2

ing an environmental education activity targeting students

reduction technologies, especially CCS, one of the majorfrom elementary school to high school, and this fiscal year

research areas of RITE. One example is a simple experi-in particular, we are working on the planning and imple-

ment using ‘chocolate’ to explain the geographical struc-mentation of the Japanese version of “CarbonKids”, anture of CCS. We tried the demonstration of this “chocolate

environmental educational program developed in Australia.

CCS” in our summer educational program and received

Here we would like to introduce our outreach activity based

many favorable comments that it was helpful to understandon this CarbonKids program.

how to store CO2 in the ground. Furthermore, we have

We have been specifically focusing on the following

been trying to enhance the program by bringing in the ex-

two areas in our educational programs this year; first we

periments which deals with deeper scientific themes, suchbrought in environment-related educational games, andas generating, liquefying or storing CO2. We would like tosecondly we adopted various kinds of science experiments

do our best to make our science experiment program more

related to CO2 and CCS.

comprehensive in cooperation with the experts of science

Regarding the first one, we adopted “Snakes and Lad-

education and teachers in the field.

ders”, a board game which is well-known in the Western

We are planning to proactively deploy our education

countries, and “Carbon Cards Challenge”, a card gameprogram more widely. We will work on expanding our out-

which helps children to understand the key words about

reach activity to enhance the public awareness and thethe global warming issue and CCS through playing theexact understanding of CCS.

Chocolate CCS

Science ExperimentChildren playing games

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Systems Analysis Group
ALPS International Symposium
FY2013 ALPS International Symposium was held at

the up-to-date study results in the presentation on ALPSTokyo International Forum in Tokyo on February 4th, 2014.
This symposium was hosted by Research Institute of In-

Project. We discussed sustainable development, climate

novative Technology for the Earth (RITE) and co-hosted
by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan (METI).

from long-term and multiple perspectives.
We had an attendance of 240 people from industries,

The symposium was titled “Moving toward Sustainable Cli-

ministries and universities. Their active discussion moti-

mate Change Actions.”
We were honored to have five leading experts fromvated us to dedicate further efforts to our research andchange response measures, and their scenario analyses

International Institute Applied Systems Analysis, Prof. Rob-development.
FY2014 ALPS International Symposium is scheduled
to take place in February 27, 2015 in Tokyo. (Hosted by

ert N. Stavins from the Harvard University, Prof. Scott Bar-

RITE and co-hosted by METI.) Distinguished experts fromrett from the Columbia University, Dr. Niklas Höhne from
Ecofys and Dr. Raymond J. Kopp from the Resources forJapan and abroad will be invited as guest speakers to talkabout the trend and outlook on effective frameworks andthe Future, and to have two Japanese experts, Dr. Seita

measures for climate change towards COP21.

overseas, including Prof. Nabojsa Nakicenovic from theEmori from NIES and Prof. Yoichi Kaya, President of RITE.
Furthermore, Prof. Keigo Akimoto, from RITE, introduced

COP20 Side Event
The Side Event, titled “New Methods for Comparing

principle that metric should follow, evaluate metrics against

Levels of Effort,” was held at COP20 in Lima (Peru) on

those principles, and examine NDCs on the basis of multi-

December 9th, 2014. The Event was hosted by RITE andple metrics.
After the above presentation, we had a fruitful discus-

Resources for the Future (RFF).
RITE and RFF are undertaking research to better re-sion with the audience and had questions from the floor

fine the analytics underlying ex-ante/ex-post evaluations ofregarding how to evaluate the effort of development of in-nationally determined contributions (NDCs) proposals andnovative technologies and consumption-based CO2 emis-

performance. Such a review system is one of the key rolessions, etc.

within a Plan-Do-Check-Act-(PDCA) cycle. Rather thanusing a single metric, it makes sense to decide on a set of59

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RITE Today 2015

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Establishment of Green-phenol development Co., Ltd.
RITE and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. establishedGreen-phenol development Co., Ltd. (GPD) in May 2014 torealize world’s first industrialization of green phenol by using our two stage process developed originally (see text).

Our technology
CH2OH
O HOH C
2
OH

saccharification
Cellulosic
biomassHO

nol Technology Research Association established by RITE
and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. in February 2010. GPD

OH

OH

O
OH
HOH2C

OH

RITE
Bioprocess

OHOH
30-33
Phenolacetonetakes over intellectual assets of the research association

propylene
H2C

and continues technology development for the efficient
ity to achieve a low cost production of green phenol com-O
OH

C6Glucose etc.
C5xylose,arabinose etc.

The organization of GPD was converted from Greenphe-

green phenol production. Our technology has the possibil-

OH
OH

CHCH3st

1 step

Crude oilcatalytic reforming processnaphtha cracking
extraction methodHCl, AlCl3
200-250

benzeneCH3 2nd step
|
CH
|
O2
CH380-130

cumeneO‖
H3CCCH3
CH3
3rd step|COOH|
H2SO4
CH3
60-90

cumene hydro peroxideOHphenolparable to or lower than that of petrochemical phenol if we
can get inexpensive mixed sugars derived from cellulosic

Comparisonofof green
production
process process
and industrial
Fig. Fig.
Comparison
greenphenol
phenolproduction
andphenol production
process
industrial
phenol production process

biomass. Since our technology of green phenol production
shows less environmental load such as CO2 emission, it
possesses a high market competition power (Fig). Now weare operating a pilot plant (500L) constructed in the Kazusa Academia Park in Kisarazu-shi, Chiba and aspire to
realize early practical production.

Many visitors attended our exhibition booth at BioJapan 2014 World Business Forum
BioJapan 2014 World Business Forum was held at Pa-

are the materials which inhibit microbial fermentation. They

cifico Yokohama from 15th to 17th October 2014. RITE has

inhibit microbial cell growth by their high toxicity to the cellhosted the forum as a sponsor organization since 2011,

and affect fermentation productivity. Specifically, phenol

and our group jointly exhibited it with Green Earth Instituteand higher alcohols are well known inhibitors. We also

(GEI). GEI is the business company of our "RITE Bioproc-

introduced the Green-phenol development Co., Ltd. es-ess (Growth-arrested Bioprocess)" which is our core tech-tablished by RITE and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. in May

nology (see RITE Today 2012). In our booth, in addition

2014 and its developmental status, and exhibited a green
phenol molded sample in our booth.

to biofuel (butanol) production technology, we introduced
a new research target of high cell inhibitor manufacturing
technology in a panel presentation. The high cell inhibitors

RITE / GEI joint exhibition booth

60

RITE exhibition panels

Topics

RITE Today 2015

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupNew Project Starts: Development of the Production Technologies for 100% Green
Jet Fuel by Hybrid Microorganism
We interviewed Dr. Shinmyo, a professor in Nara Institute of Science and Technology, who is a project committee chairman of the new research project entitled “Development of the production technologies for 100% green jet
fuel by hybrid microorganism” that will be started in Molecular microbiology and biotechnology group in this year.

Research objective of the new project
We are going to develop a novel bioprocess for production of 100% green jet fuel that is derived from nonfood-based biomass and it is not required for mixing fossil
jet fuel. It is worth noting that a kind of reaction that has

time is not always certified research progress unlike in thenever been used in biological process is employed to de-case of simple task. In research, big progress suddenly

velop a microbial catalyst in our project, which enables tocomes to our hands. I think RITE’s new project has the es-

efficiently produce chemicals that cannot be produced bysential element of research.

microorganisms. I think this research is technically uniqueand novel.

Next step; national project

Based on more than 10-years research in RITE, they

No need to accomplish all research tasks only by

have had cost-competitive technologies for production of

RITE. When RITE’s scientists will face technological diffi-

ketones and aldehydes. Technological hurdle in this newculties that are apparently impossible to solve by them-project is to synthesize jet fuel from these precursors inselves, collaboration to scientists outside RITE who aremicrobial cells. Catalytic reactions proposed in this project

specialists in different research fields will help combat withwill make a breakthrough in biorefinery research if we canthe technological difficulties. Since global warming is major

accomplish this task. In the view point of a project manag-issue for everyone around the world, I think collaborators

er, it is important to clarify priority of candidates of the cat-are also chosen in the world. To advance to national

alyst, otherwise we will waste time and research budget.

project, one important my role is transmission of informa-

Jet fuel is consisted of not only saturated hydrocarbons, but also aromatic compounds. New biocatalyst thattion about our research, which may bring people who will
help us.

RITE’s scientists are proposing can produce both compounds, which is great concept. Airplane can be flown by

Future challenge

the green jet fuel without mixing fossil jet fuel if they will

Scientist should select own research subject by con-succeed this research project. Although our task is not

sidering the future direction of humankind. To do so, weeasy, I am sure scientists in RITE will done successfully.

need to be susceptible to current issues which beset the

A near-term target is to replace 10 to 15% of fossil jet
fuel to the green jet fuel derived from cellulosic biomass,

world. This new research project on green jet fuel fits withthis viewpoint and I really make this project successful.

but theoretically, all jet fuel consumed in the world can be
replaced to the green jet fuel. Market of green jet fuel ishuge, which gives us big dream.

What is attractive of research
When I encounter difficulties in research, I encourage
myself by thinking that I will have fruits if I can solve thedifficulties. That is why research has attracted me for along time. After one year goes, investor of research projectwill ask us what we make progress, but I think budget and61

Topics

RITE Today 2015

CO2 Storage Research GroupCCS Technical Workshop 2014
- Effort for environmental impact assessment of CO2 storage –The CCS Technical Workshop entitled “Effort for En-

detection limits”. Mr. Jeremy Blackford (Project Leader,vironmental Impact Assessment of CO2 Storage” was co-

QICS project, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK) gave aorganized by RITE and the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry (METI) at Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo on January

talk entitled UK project “The QICS Project, outcomes andimplications for the development of CCS”. Finally, Dr. Kei-30, 2015. The workshop was attended by 186 participants

suke Uchimoto (Senior Researcher) gave a presentation

mainly from governments, businesses, universities, research institutes.
CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and storage) is a prom-on “Development of numerical models for the dispersion ofising technology to reduce global CO2 emissions and con-that “Carbon dioxide capture and storage is one of thesequently to mitigate global warming. There are currently
more than 10 large-scale CCS projects under operation

most effective options for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

around the world. For full deployment of CCS, it is essen-

direction of the technological development of environmen-

tial to demonstrate the safety of CCS for building public

tal impact assessment toward the commercialization ofconfidence in commercialization of CCS. Hence, techno-

CCS. If developed in the direction, Japan’s CCS technolo-

logical development for ensuring safe and reliable CO2

gies will have an additional value with a higher safety ofstorage draws much attention.
The workshop was moderated by Prof. Toru Sato (TheCO2 storage and be accepted world-wide more easily.”CO2 in the sea corresponding to some leakage scenarios”.
Prof. Sato wrapped the workshop up with his statement

The presentations today gave us an overall picture and a

University of Tokyo). Following four presentations by international experts we had a fruitful discussion on tacklingsafety evaluation in CCS.
Firstly in this workshop, Dr. Jun Kita (Senior Researcher) introduced “the Current status of R&D on potential
CO2 leakage from a reservoir”. Then, Prof. Lee Spangler(Director, Energy Research Institute, Montana State University, USA) gave clear details of a US project in his
presentation titled “The ZERT on-shore controlled release,lessons learned about monitoring methods, impacts andWorld-first Experiment on an Offshore CO2 Storage Leak
- First step to building mutual understanding and trust of CCS technology -62

In order to understand the potential risks of carbon
dioxide (CO2) leakage in a project to store CO2 in sub-One of the concerns over CCS technology raised by
the public is potential CO2 leaks from a reservoir. Hence,seabed geological formations, an international team ofscientists, including RITE’s researchers, carried out the

we carried out a small-scale on-site experiment of controlled CO2 release to assess the validity of technologies forfirst-ever experiment of an on-site controlled CO2 release

detecting and monitoring CO2 leakage and to investigate

under the UK QICS (Quantifying and Monitoring Potential

physical, chemical and biological impacts on the marine

Ecosystem Impacts of Geological Carbon Storage) project[1]. The results of the experiment was published in Natureenvironment in detail.
It was demonstrated that a combination of chemical

Climate Change [2], presenting how marine environment

sensors and bubble acoustic techniques is the optimalmight react to a real-life leakage. This study is expected tomonitoring technique to detect leakage or prove no leak-contribute not only to the development of monitoring tech-age. It was also shown that the impacts of the released

nologies and the biological assessment of CO2 leak but

CO2 on that scale was limited and its chemical and biologi-

also to improvement of the reliability of offshore CO2 stor-

cal impacts were restored to background levels in a shortage.

term after the cease of the CO2 release. These findings

Topics

RITE Today 2015

contribute to the growth of a knowledge base necessary forthe appropriate deployment of CCS as a climate change
mitigation measure, in particular for regulatory requirement
for monitoring. Although the results show that small-scaleleakage would not be catastrophic, we would say that if alarger amount of CO2 is released its impacts are likely to
be significant. We also believe that in site selection water
movement around a site is a key factor. This is because
when seawater is mixed intensively CO2 is supposed todisperse more rapidly so that the impacts of the CO2 is to
be insignificant and restored quickly.
[1] http://www.bgs.ac.uk/qics/[2] J. Blackford, et al., “Detection and impacts of leakage from subseafloor deep geological carbon dioxide storage,” Nat. Clim. Chang.,
vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 1011–1016, Sep. 2014.

Chemical Research Group
Symposium for Innovative CO2 Membrane Separation Technology- Recent trends of membrane separation technology contributing to the prevention of global warming –novative CO2 Membrane Separation Technology, “Recent

membrane separation technology.”
From The Association, Mr. Akio Fujita gave the speech

trends of membrane separation technology contributing to“Report of investigation on overseas membrane technolo-

the prevention of global warming”, was held at the Dai-ichi

gies.” The presentations were concluded by Senior Man-

Hotel Tokyo. The event was sponsored by the Molecular

aging Director Shin-ichi Nakao who spoke of the researchGate Membrane module Technology Research AssociaMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The

progress being made at The Association in a speech titled“Next-Generation membrane module”.
* The Molecular Gate Membrane Module Technology

event attracted 194 attendants from companies, universi-

Research Association was established in February 17th,

ties, research institutes and government agencies.
The purpose of this symposium was threefold. First,

2011. The Association’s members are RITE, Kuraray Co.,

to report recent research trends in CO2 separation mem-Engineering Co., Ltd.

On February 2nd, 2015, the Fourth Symposium for In-tion (The Association*) and co-sponsored by the JapaneseLtd., Nitto Denko Co., Ltd., and Nippon Steel & Sumikinbrane technologies that The Association has been developing. Second, to gain an overview of overseas researchand development in this technology area. Third, to provide
interested parties with the background to understand therequired public and private R&D activities for CO2 emission
reductions.
In this Fourth Symposium, the keynote speeches were
given by Mr. Tony Wu from Southern Company in a presentation titled “CO2 Capture at the National Carbon Capture Center,” and then by Prof. May-Britt Hägg of NTNU
in a presentation titled “Latest trends in membrane technologies in Norway and Europe”. Following these keynote
speeches, membrane technology keynote speech was given by Prof. Shigetoshi Kita of Yamaguchi University, who
presented on the “Current status and future perspective of63

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Directors / Systems Analysis Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Directors◆BooksS. Ashima, K. Wada, CO 2 emission mitigation and fossil fuel1. Kenji Yamaji (Commissioners) , The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear

markets: Dynamic and international aspects of climate policies,

Power Station Disaster,Investigating the Myth and Reality,

Technological Forecasting & Social Change, in press

Routledge, 2014

13. K. Riahi, E. Kriegler, N. Johnson, C. Bertram, M. den Elzen,

Systems Analysis Group◆Original Paper
1. K. Akimoto, T. Homma, F. Sano, M. Nagashima, K. Tokushige,
T. Tomoda, Assessment of the emission reduction target of halving
CO 2 emissions by 2050: Macro-factors analysis and model
analysis under newly developed socio-economic scenarios, Energy
Strategy Reviews, Vol.2, Issue 3-4, pp.246-256, February 2014
2. M. Kii, K. Akimoto, K. Doi, A land-use transport model to assess
the impact of urban policies on Carbon dioxide reduction andsustainability, Journal of Eastern Asia for Transport Studies, Vol.10,
pp.1112-1128, 2013
3. M. Kii, K. Akimoto, K. Doi, Measuring the impact of urban
policies on transportation energy saving using a land use-transportmodel, IATSS Research, Volume 37, Issue 2, pp.98–109, March
2014
4. M. Kii, K. Akimoto, K. Doi, A land-use transport model to assess
the impact of urban policies on Carbon dioxide reduction andsustainability, Journal of Eastern Asia for Transport Studies, Vol.10
pp.1112-1128, 2014
5. M. Sugiyama, O. Akashi, K. Wada, A. Kanudia, J. Li, J. Weyant,
Energy-efficiency potentials for global climate change mitigation,
Climatic Change, Vol.123, Nos.3-4, pp.397-411, April 2014
6. Luderer, V. Krey, K. Calvin, J. Merrick, S. Mima, R. Pietzcker,
J. V. Vliet, K. Wada, The role of renewable energy in climate
stabilization: results from the EMF27 scenarios, Climatic Change,
Vol.123, Nos.3-4, pp.427-441, April 2014
7. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Wada, Impacts of different diffusion
scenarios for mitigation technology options and of model
representations regarding renewables intermittency on evaluationsof CO2 emission reductions, Climatic Change, Vol.123, Nos.3-4,
pp.665-676, April 2014
8. S. H. Kim, K. Wada, A. Kurosawa, M. Roberts, Nuclear energy
response in the EMF27 study, Climatic Change, Vol.123, Nos.3-4,
pp.443-460, April 2014
9. K. Akimoto, F. Sano, A. Hayashi, T. Homma, J. Oda, M.
Nagashima, K. Tokushige, T. Tomoda, Trade-offs and synergies ofsustainable development and climate stabilization in Asian regions,

J. Eom, M. Schaeffer, J. Edmonds, M. Isaac, V. Krey, T. Longdon,
G. Luderer, A. Mejean, D. L. McCollum, S. Mima, H. Turton, D. P.
van Vuuren, K. Wada, V. Bosetti, P. Capros, P. Criqui, M. Kainuma,
Looked into Compenhagen Pledges - Implications of short-termemissions targets for the cost and feasibility of long-term climate
goals, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, in press
14. E. Kriegler, K. Riahi, N. Bauer, J. Schwanitz, N. Petermann,
V. Bosetti, A. Marcucci, S. Otto, L. Paroussos, S. Rao, T. ArroyoCurras, S. Ashina, J. Bollen, J. Eom, M. Hamdi-Cherif, A. Kitous,
A. Mejean, F. Sano, M. Schaeffer, K. Wada, P. Capros, D. van
Vuuren, O. Edenhofer, Making or breaking climate targets: The
AMPERE study on staged accession scenarios for climate policy,
Technological Forecasting & Social Change, in press
15. F. Sano, K. Wada, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, Assessments of GHG
emission reduction scenarios of different levels and different shortterm pledges through macro and sectoral decomposition analyses,
Technological Forecasting & Social Change, in press
16. E. Kriegler, N. Petermann, V. Krey, J. Schwanitz, G. Luderer, S.
Ashina, V. Bosetti, J. Eom, A. Kitous, A. Méjean, L. Paroussos, F.
Sano, H. Turton, C. Wilson, D. van Vuuren, Diagnostic indicatorsfor integrated assessment models of climate policy, Technological
Forecasting & Social Change, in press
17. K. Tokushige, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T. Homma, Analysis on
emission reduction efforts of GHG emissions in Japan for the firstcommitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, Journal of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources, in press◆Other Paper
1. K. Akimoto, Evaluations on emission pathways and climate
mitigation policies and measures in the IPCC Fifth Assessment
Report, Journal of Environmental Information Science, Vol.43,
No.3, pp.42-48, 2014
2. K. Akimoto, The new energy basic plan, Energy and Resources,
Vol.35, No.5, pp.281-285, September 2014
3. K. Akimoto, H. Kudo, T. Sugiyama, J. Fujino, A. Kurosawa,
Evaluation on voluntary action plan for greenhouse gas emission
reductions –The Special Session in the 33rd Meeting of JSER-,
Energy and Resources, Vol.35, No.5, pp.339-342, September 2014

Edited Volume of Environment Policy in Asia, National University of

4. K. Akimoto, The overview of IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment

Singapore (NUS), Chapter 10, pp.203-225, July 2014

Report and the future challenges of Japan's climate change policy,

10. A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto, T. Homma, K. Wada, T. Tomoda,

Electrical Review, October 2014

Change in the annual water withdrawal-to-be-availability ratio

64

and its major causes: An evaluation for Asian river basins under◆Oral Presentationsocioeconomic development and climate change scenarios,

1. K. Akimoto, J. Oda, A. Hayashi, K. Yamaji, Study for risk

Energy and Environment Research, Vol.4, No.2, pp.34-46, 2014

management strategy to climate change, 30th Conference on

11. A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto, T. Tomoda, Analyses on change in

Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 24, 2014

global water stress and its major factors, Energy and Resources,

2. A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto, T. Tomoda, Analyses on change in

Vol.35, No.4, pp.40-49, July 2014

global water stress and its major factors, 30th Conference on

12. N. Bauer, V. Bosetti, K. Calvin, M. Hamdi-Cherif, A. Kitous,

Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 23, 2014

D. L..McCollum, A. Mejean, S. Rao, H. Turton, L. Paroussos,

3. T. Homma, J. Oda, K. Akimoto, Development of socio-economic

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Systems Analysis Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Systems Analysis Group
scenarios based on SSP storylines, 30th Conference on Energy,

efficient coal-fired power plants on GHG emissions and energy

Economy and Environment, Jan. 24, 2014

systems costs, 19th Annual Meeting of Society for Environmental

4. M. Nagashima, T. Homma, F. Sano, K. Wada, K. Akimoto,

Economics and Policy Studies, Sep. 13, 2014

T. Tomoda, A study on sharing the burden of financing options

19. K. Akimoto, Greenhouse gas mitigation strategy, 46th Autumn

for climate change, 30th Conference on Energy, Economy andMeeting of the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (IPCC

Environment, Jan. 24, 2014

Session), Sep. 17, 2014

5. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Wada, J. Oda, An analysis of hydrogen

20. J. Oda, T. Homma, K. Akimoto, Future electricity demand ofsystems by using a world energy systems model, 30th Conferenceindustrial sector in Japan, The 4th IAEE Asian Conference, Beijing,on Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 24, 2014

China, Sep. 19, 2014

6. K. Tokushige, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T. Homma, Analysis and study

21. B. Shoai Tehrani, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, Investment in low

on factors of change in GHG emissions in major countries, 30th

carbon technologies: Assessment of European mix evolution

Conference on Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 24, 2014

with world model DNE21+ combined to investment preference

7. J. Oda, K. Oshima, K. Akimoto, T. Tomoda, International

indicatorEuropean IAEE Conference, Rome, Italy, Oct. 31, 2014

comparison or electricity price: Cost structure, subsidy, and tax,

22. Y. Arino, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, J. Oda, An analysis

30th Conference on Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 24,

on the option values of geoengineering under uncertainties in2014

future climate change, 7th Annual Meeting of the Integrated

8. M. Sugiyama, O. Akashi, K. Wada, Amit Kanudia, Jun Li, John

Assessment Modeling Consortium, Maryland, USA, Nov. 17, 2014

Weyant, Energy efficiency potentials for mitigating climate change,

23. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Wada, Evaluation of diffusion and30th Conference on Energy, Economy and Environment, Jan. 24,

deployment of climate mitigation technologies considering

2014

heterogeneity of technology adoption in IAM, 7th Annual Meeting

9. K. Wada, K. Akimoto, A. Hayashi, F. Sano, T. Homma, Theof the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium, Maryland,

Water-Food-Economy-Climate nexus of ALPS scenario, CESM

USA, Nov. 18, 2014Societal Dimensions Working Group Meeting Boulder Colorado,

24. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Wada, T. Homma, DNE21+ team report

USA, Feb. 27, 2014of preliminary model run of SLCF/AQ MIP, 2nd Meeting of EMF30,

10. K. Akimoto, Updated trends in international analyses ofMaryland, USA, Nov. 20, 2014

scenarios reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Japan Geoscience
Union Meeting 2014 (JpGU2014), May 2, 2014

◆Non Journal Publication

11. K. Akimoto, K. Tokushige, J. Oda, F. Sano, T. Homma, K.

1. K. Akimoto, A New energy policy, Regular Study Meeting,Wada, Quantitative analysis and evaluation of accomplished

Women’s Energy Network (WEN), Jan. 28, 2014

emission reductions under the Voluntary-Action-Plan, The 33rd

2. K. Akimoto, Chapter 3 Quantitative analyses for climate change

Annual Meeting of Japan Society of Energy and Resources (Special

measures, Climate Change and Energy, Energy Forum Pub., Jan.

Session), Jun. 10, 201431, 2014

12. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, Energy supply and demand in South Asian

3. K. Akimoto, Perspective on energy and environmental policies,

countries based on hearing survey: Pakistan, The 33rd Annual

Committee on Environmental Issues, Toyama Association of

Meeting of Japan Society of Energy and Resources, Jun. 11, 2014

Corporate Executives, Feb. 6, 2014

13. K. Wada, K. Akimoto, T. Homma, Quantitative risk assessment

4. K. Akimoto, Quantitative analysis on evaluation of the Voluntary-of rising electricity prices in Japan, The 37th IAEE International

Action-Plan, Review Meeting for the Comprehensive Evaluation ofConference, N.Y., USA, Jun. 18, 2014

the Second Voluntary-Action-Plan, Feb. 6, 2014

14. B. Shoai Tehrani, T. Tomoda, J.C. Bouquet, Electricity

5. K. Akimoto, Chapter 3 Model analysis for climate change

Investment and Nuclear Development: Invest Choice Modelingmitigation strategy, Climate Change and Energy -Japanese

based on Value Creation, Dependence and Structure Modeling

Perspective on Climate Change Mitigation Strategy, World

Conference, Ecole Centrale, Paris, France, Jul. 2, 2014

Scientific Publishing, in press

15. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, K. Wada, Evaluation of contribution of

6. K. Akimoto, The new strategic energy plan, Comprehensive

renewable energy to climate change mitigation, Grand Renewable

Energy Workshop, Aomori Prefecture, Feb. 21, 2014

Energy 2014, Tokyo, Japan, Jul. 29, 2014

7. K. Akimoto, The future energy in Japan -From the environmental

16. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, K. Oshima, Renewable energy and its

and economic viewpoint, Energy Technology Committee, Osakaobserved effect on electricity price, Grand Renewable Energy

Science & Technology Center, Feb. 28, 2014

2014, Tokyo, Japan, Jul. 29, 2014

8. K. Akimoto, Towards the optimum energy mix -Quantitative

17. A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Tomoda, Evaluation

analyses and evaluation, Symposium: the Desired Energy Mix andof global energy crop production potential up to 2100 under

Climate Change Measures hosted by Keidanren / Environmentalsocioeconomic development and climate change scenarios, Grand

Measures Promotion Foundation, March 26, 2014

Renewable Energy 2014, Tokyo, Japan, Jul. 30, 2014

9. K. Akimoto, The strategic energy plan and the establishment of

18. M. Nagashima, T. Homma, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T.

future energy mix, Energy Policy Meeting, Japan Society of Energy

Tomoda, K. Wada, A study on the impacts of the diffusion of highly

and Resources, May 14, 201465

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Systems Analysis Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Systems Analysis Group
10. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of scenario, technology and policy of

26. K. Akimoto, Scientists challenges to global warming –Study on

IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment Report, Green Forum 2014, Nikkan

system analyses for strategies in response to global warming, SSH

Kogyo Shimbun, Jun. 17, 2014

Science Festival, Nov. 8, 2014

11. K. Akimoto, The new strategic energy plan and the future

27. K. Akimoto, WG3 Climate change mitigation -Long-termc h a l l e n g e s , Wo r k s h o p f o r t h e S o c i a l C o m m o n C a p i t a l ,scenario, The First Workshop of 2014 Japan Society of Energy

Development Bank of Japan, Jul. 2, 2014

and Resources, Nov. 14, 2014

12. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of scenario, technology and policy of

28. K. Akimoto, Mid- and log-term emission reduction targets

IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment Report, Monday Meeting, Mitsui

and the realizing scenarios in Japan, CIGS China-Japan Expert

Group, Jul. 14, 2014

Meeting on Climate Change, Canon Institute for Global Studies,

13. K .Akimoto, The strategic energy plan and the future energy

Nov. 15, 2014

mix prospect, Workshop for the Next-generation Electric Network,

29. K. Akimoto, Nuclear power corresponding to increased climate

Institute of Applied Energy, Jul. 17, 2014change risks, The Second Central Meeting, Global Energy Policy

14. K. Akimoto, IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and strategic

Research, Nov. 17, 2014

response to the international situation of climate change, 2014

30. K. Akimoto, Reading long-term emission scenarios in

CIGS Symposium on Climate Change, Canon Institute for Global

IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, Joint Expert Meeting of Global

Studies, Jul. 24, 2014

Environment Committee of MOE Central Environment Council

15. K. Akimoto, Towards the development of a new strategic

and the Global Environmental Subcommittee of METI Industrial

response to climate change, OMA Techno Forum, Osaka

Structure Council for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions,Management Association, Jul. 30, 2014

Nov. 25, 2014

16. K. Akimoto, Quantitative analyses on emission reduction efforts

31. K. Akimoto, Proposal of review methods for comparability

under the voluntary action plan in Japan, Workshop on Voluntary

efforts of pledged targets and their example assessments, COP20

Actions: Experience and Lessons, Aug. 6, 2014

Side Event (Japan Pavilion), Peru, Dec. 9, 2014

17. K. Akimoto, Global warming and sustainable development

32. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of intended nationally determined

scenario - Based on the strategic energy plan and the IPCC report,

contributions for the post-2020 period based on equity sharing

Committee for Promoting Global Environment Technology, Osakaemission reduction efforts, RITE Innovative Environmental

Science Technology Center, Aug. 11, 2014

Technology Symposium 2014, The University of Tokyo, Dec. 17,

18. K. Akimoto, The points of IPCC Fifth Assessment Report

2014

and the future energy and environmental policy, Energy andEnvironmental Education Seminars for Teachers (for high school
teachers), Aug. 26, 2014
19. K. Akimoto, The points of IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
and the future energy and environmental policy, Energy andEnvironmental Education Seminars for Teachers (for junior highschool teachers), Sep. 16, 2014
20. K. Akimoto, Emission paths, emission reduction cost andeconomic impacts, IPCC International Symposium, Sep. 16, 2014
21. K. Akimoto, Prospect of the energy mix and nuclear power
under electricity liberalization, Academic Study Group, The Japan
Society of Public Utility Economics, Sep. 18, 2014
22. K. Akimoto, THE ACEEE 2014 INTERNATIONAL ENERGYEFFICIENCY SCORECARD: ‘Myth that Japan is superior inenergy efficiency’ is no longer true? Is China superior to Japan?,On the web page of International Environmental Economic Institute(IEEI), Sep. 22, 2014
23. K. Akimoto, ALPS Project-studies on policies and measures forclimate change and sustainable development toward green growth,
IIASA Seminar: Exploring Future Collaboration with the Japanese
Research Community, Oct. 13, 2014
24. K. Akimoto, Submission of emissions reduction targets after
2020, Joint Meeting of Global Environmental Strategy WG and
Global Warming Measures WG, Keidanren, Oct. 24, 2014
25. K. Akimoto, Global warming measures: Impacts on the people's
lives and economic activities, Committee on Environmental Policy,
KAKKIN, Oct. 27, 2014

66

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group〉 RITE Today 2015
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group◆Original Paper◆Review Paper

1 . T. N i s h i m u r a , H . Te r a m o t o , M . I n u i a n d H . Yu k a w a ,1. M. Inui, Y. Goh, Challenge to the production of green phenol andCorynebacterium glutamium ArnR controls expression of nitrate

highly functional phenol resin, Seibutsu-kogaku Kaishi, Vol. 92,

reductase operon narKGHJI and nitric oxide (NO)-detoxifying

No.12, pp.680-684, 2014

enzyme gene hmp in an NO-responsive manner, Journal of
Bacteriology, Vol. 196, pp.60-69, 2014

◆Oral Presentation

2. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, The

1. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Identification ofphysiological role of riboflavin transporter and involvement of FMN-

the regulatory mechanism of arabinose-responsive transcriptional

riboswitch in its gene expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum,

regulator AraR in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vol. 98, pp.4159-4168,

Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and2014

Agrochemistry, Mar. 29, 2014

3. T. Kubota, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, A. Watanabe, K. Hiraga,

2. T. Nishimura, H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, NO-

M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Chorismate-dependent transcriptional

responsive regulation of nitrate reductase and flavohemoglobin

regulation of quinate/shikimate utilization genes by LysR-typegenes by Corynebacterium glutamicum ArnR, The 2014 Annualtranscriptional regulator QsuR in Corynebacterium glutamicum:

Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andcarbon flow control at metabolic branch point, MolecularAgrochemistry, Mar. 29, 2014

Microbiology, Vol. 92, pp.356-368, 2014

3. T. Tsujimoto, K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa,4. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M. Inui, The LacI-type

Effects of isobutanol on tryptophan biosynthetic gene expression intranscriptional regulator AraR acts as an L-arabinose-responsive

Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japan

repressor of L-arabinose utilization genes in Corynebacterium

Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29,

glutamicum ATCC 31831, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol.196,

2014

pp.2242-2254, 2014

4. K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Identification

5. Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, T. Ito, H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M.

of the SigH regulon in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014

Inui, Genome-wide analysis of the role of global transcriptional

Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology

regulator GntR1 in Corynebacterium glutamicum, Journal ofand Agrochemistry, Mar. 29, 2014

Bacteriology, Vol. 196, pp.3249-3258, 2014

5. H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Redox-responsive

6. T. Jojima, T. Igari, Y. Moteki, M. Suda, H. Yukawa and M.

transcriptional regulation by OxyR in Corynebacterium glutamicum,

Inui, Promiscuous activity of (S,S)-butanediol dehydrogenase is

The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience,

responsible for glycerol production from 1,3-dihydroxyacetone in

Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29, 2014

Corynebacterium glutamicum under oxygen deprived conditions,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, (in press)

6. Y. Tanaka, T. Ito, H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Genomewide analysis of the role of global transcriptional regulator GntR1 in

7. T. Jojima, R. Noburyu, M. Sasaki, T. Tajima, M. Suda, H. Yukawa

Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japanand M. Inui, Metabolic engineering for improved production ofSociety for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29,

ethanol by Corynebacterium glutamicum, Applied Microbiology and2014

Biotechnology, (in press)

7. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Regulation

8. K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M. Inui, Expandingof riboflavin transporter gene expression by FMN-riboswitch in

the regulatory network governed by the extracytoplasmic function

Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japansigma factor σH in Corynebacterium glutamicum, Journal ofSociety for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29,

Bacteriology, Vol. 197, pp.483-496, 2015

2014

9. T. Kubota, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, K. Hiraga, H. Yukawa and8. N. Hamamoto, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, M. Inui and H.

M. Inui, Identification and analysis of its expression of a gene

Yukawa, Regulation of the expression of Ribonuclease J in

encoding a shikimate transporter of Corynebacterium glutamicum,

Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japan

Microbiology, (in press)

Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29,

10. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka and M. Inui, Rho and RNase play2014

a central role in FMN riboswitch regulation in Corynebacterium

9. T. Kubota, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, A. Watanabe, K.

glutamicum. Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 43, pp.520-529, 2015

Hiraga, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Chorismate-dependent

11. H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M. Inui, Copper homeostasis-transcriptional regulation of quinate/shikimate utilization genes inrelated genes in three separate transcriptional units regulated by

Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2014 Annual Meeting of Japan

CsoR in Corynebacterium glutamicum, Applied Microbiology andSociety for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 29,

Biotechnology, (in press)

2014

12. S. Oide, W. Gunji, Y. Moteki, S. Yamamoto, M. Suda, T. Jojima,

10. Y. Tsuge, S. Yamamoto, N. Kato, M. Suda, H. Yukawa and M.

H. Yukawa and M. Inui, Adaptive laboratory evolution conferred

Inui, Overexpressions of glycolytic enzymes enhance D-lactate

cross-tolerance to thermal and solvent stress to Corynebacterium

productivity in Corynebacterium glutamicum, Summur seminor

glutamicum, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, (in press)2014 of Young reserchers committee for biotechnology (The672014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group〉 RITE Today 2015
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Society for Biotechnology, Japan), Jul. 12-13, 2014
11. T. Tsujimoto, K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto and M. Inui, The twocomponent system PhoS-PhoR regulates isobutanol-responsive
upregulation of sigE, NAIST BIO Summer Camp 2014, Aug. 27,
2014
12. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto and M. Inui, A different degree ofrepression of gene expression by Corynebacterium glutamicum
ATCC 31831 AraR, an L-arabinose-responsive transcriptional
regulator, depends on the location of operator sequencies, NAISTBIO Summer Camp 2014, Aug. 27, 2014
13. N. Hamamoto, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto and M. Inui, Regulationof the expression of Ribonuclease J in Corynebacterium
glutamicum, NAIST BIO Summer Camp 2014, Aug. 27, 2014
14. N. Hamamoto, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto and M. Inui, Regulationof the expression of Ribonuclease J in Corynebacterium
glutamicum, The 37th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology
Society of Japan, Nov. 25, 2014
15. Y. Sugimoto, T. Maeda, Y. Tanaka and M. Inui, Functional
analysis of the RNase Z family enzyme in Corynebacterium
glutamicum, The 37th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology
Society of Japan, Nov. 25, 2014
16. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka, M. Inui, Rho and RNase play acentral role in FMN-riboswitch mediated regulation of ribM gene
expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 37th Annual
Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, Nov. 25, 2014
17. Y. Tanaka, Y. Hara, M. Ogawa and M. Inui, Analysis ofTranslesion Synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 37th
Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, Nov.
27, 2014
18. T. Tsujimoto, K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto and M. Inui, Effects
of isobutanol on expression of the tryptophan operon in
Corynebacterium glutamicum, Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial
Biotechnology and Bioenergy, Dec. 8, 2014
◆Other Presentation
1. M. Inui, 28.6.4 Amino acid, Chemical Handbook Applied
Chemistry 7th Edition, Maruzen Company, Limited, 2014
2. H. Teramoto, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Toward realization of
new biorefinery industries using Corynebacterium glutamicum,
pp.253-262, In H. Anazawa and S. Shimizu (eds.), Microbial
Production: From Genome Design to Cell Engineering, Springer,
2014
3. T. Jojima, A.A. Vertès, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Development ofgrowth-arrested bioprocesses with Corynebacterium glutamicum
for cellulosic ethanol production from complex sugar mixtures,pp.121-139, In N. Qureshi, D. Hodge and A. Vertes (eds.),
Biorefineries: Integrated Biochemical Process for Liquid Biofuels,
Elsevier B.V. 2014
4. T. Jojima, M. Inui and H. Yukawa, Biotechnological applicationof Corynebacterium glutamicum under oxygen deprivation,
Corynebacteria: Genomics and Molecular Biology, (in press)
5. M. Inui, Biomaterial with all sorts of flowers: Original green
chemicals offer a new way for future materials, JBA Bioseminar
Series [The Future Biotechnology] Workshop, Sep. 29, 201468

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈Chemical Research Group〉

RITE Today 2015

Chemical Research Group◆Original Paper

4. Teruhiko Kai, Membrane technology for hydrogen society, 7th

1. Satoshi Kodama, Kazuya Goto, Hidetoshi Sekiguchi, Process

KIFEE International Symposium, Mar.18, 2014

Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Capture for Coal-fired Power

5. Shuhong Duan, Takashi Saito, Kota Yamazaki, Ikuo Taniguchi,

Plants, Energy and Environment Research; Vol. 4, No. 2, 2014,

Kenichi Ikeda, Shingo Kazama, Teruhiko Kai, Improvement of CO2

pp.105-116

Separation Performance of Thin Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer/

2. Shuhong Duan, Teruhiko Kai, Takashi Saito, Kota Yamazaki,poly(ethylene glycol) Hybrid Membranes, ICOM2014, Jul.20-25,

Kenichi Ikeda, Effect of Cross-Linking on the Mechanical and2014

Thermal Properties of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer/Poly(vinyl

6. Hidetaka Yamada, Density Functional Theory Study on Amine-

alcohol) Hybrid Membranes for CO2 Separation, Membranes 2014,

Functionalized Ionic Liquids for CO2 Capture, 2nd International

Vol.4, Issue 2, pp. 200-210

Conference on Ionic Liquids in Separation and Purification

3. Hidetaka Yamada, Yoichi Matsuzaki, Kazuya Goto, Quantitative

Technology, Jun.29-Jul.2, 2014

Spectroscopic Study of Eqilibrium in CO 2 -Loaded Aqueous

7. Kota Yamazaki, Shuhong Duan, Takashi Saito, Ken-ichi Ikeda,

2-(Ethylamino) ethanol Solutions, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2014,

Ikuo Taniguchi, Teruhiko Kai, CO2 gas separation properties of

Vol.53, Issue 4, pp.1617-1623

poly(amidoamine) dendrimer/poly(vinylalcohol) hybrid membranes,

4. Tsuyoshi Watabe, Katsunori Yogo, Efficient CO2 Adsorption on

The IUMRS International Conference in Asia 2014, Aug.24-30,

Amine-impregnated Mesoporous Silica Sorbents: Interpretation of2014

Moderate Amine Loading, Chemistry Letters, Vol.43, No.6, 2014,

8. Shin Yamamoto, Hidetaka Yamada, Takayuki Higashii,

pp. 790-792

Development of Chemical CO2 Solvent for High-Pressure CO2

5. Kazuya Goto, Hidetaka Yamada, Takayuki Higashii, A Simple

Capture(2): Addition Effect of Non-Aqueous Media on Amine

Method of Evaluating Alkanolamine Absorbents for Post-

Solutions, GHGT-12, Oct.5-9, 2014

Combustion CO 2 Capture, Journal of Chemical Engineering of

9. Takashi Nakamoto, Toshinori Muraoka, Shin Yamamoto,Japan, Vol. 47, No. 6, 2014, pp. 463-470

Takayuki Higashii, Study on hight-pressure CO2 capture process,6. Tsuyoshi Watabe, Katsunori Yogo, Synthesis and CO 2

GHGT-12, Oct.5-9, 2014

Adsorption Properties of Hydrophobic Porous Coordination

10. Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Hidetaka Yamada, Yoichi Matsuzaki,

Polymer Featuring [Zn9(MeBTZ)12]6+ Building Units, Bulletin of

Kazuya Goto, Takayuki Higashii, Masami Onoda, Development

the Chemical Society of Japan, Vol. 87, No. 6, 2014, pp.740-745

of Novel Synthetic Amine Absorbents for CO2 Capture, GHGT-12,

7. Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo, Carbon Dioxide Adsorption onto

Oct.5-9, 2014

Polyethyleneimine-Functionalized Porous Chitosan Beads, Energy

11. Kazuya Goto, Hidetaka Yamada, Katsunori Yogo, Takayuki& Fuels, 2014, Vol.28, Issue 10, pp.6467-6474

Higashii, Energy requirements of post-combustion CO2 capture by

8. Teruhiko Kai, Shuhong Duan, Shingo Kazama, Ikuo Taniguchi,amine absorbents, GHGT-12, Oct.5-9, 2014

Hiroshi Jinnai, A compatible crosslinker for enhancement of CO2

12. Shuhong Duan, Takashi Saito, Kota Yamazaki, Kenichi Ikeda,

capture of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-containing polymericIkuo Taniguchi, Shingo Kazama, Teruhiko Kai, Development

membranes, Journal of Membrane Science, Vol. 475, 1 Februaryof poly(amidoamine) dendrimer/ poly(ethylen glycol) hybrid

2015, pp.175-183

membranes for CO2 capture at elevated pressures, GHGT-12,

9. Shunsuke Tanaka, Tomoko Shimada, Kosuke Fujita, Yoshikazu

Oct.5-9, 2014

Miyake, Koji Kida, Katsunori Yogo, Joeri F. M. Denayer, Miki

13. Hidetaka Yamada, Duc Sy Dao, Firoz A. Chowdhury,

Sugita and Takahiko Takewaki, “Seeding-free aqueous synthesis

Junpei Fujiki, Tsuyoshi Watabe, Kazuya Goto, Katsunori Yogo,

of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 membranes: How to trigger

Develompent of amine-impregnated solid sorbents for CO 2

preferential heterogeneous nucleation and membrane growth incapture, GHGT-12, Oct.5-9, 2014

aqueous rapid reaction solution”, Jourmal of membrane Science,

14. Hidetaka Yamada, Duc Sy Dao, Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo,

472, 29-38 (2014)

CO2 Separation and Capture Using Mesoporous Silica Sorbents
Impregnated with Blended Amines, 18th Symposium on Separation◆Oral Presentation

Science and Technology for Energy Applications, Oct.27-30, 2014

1. Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Hidetaka Yamada, Kazuya Goto,

15. Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Tsuguhiro Kato, Kazuya Goto, Yocihi

Takayuki Higashii, Yoichi Matsuzaki, Development of New Amine

Matsuzaki, Takayuki Higashii, Masami Onoda, Selection And

Absorbents for CO2 Capture, UTCCS2, Jan.28-30, 2014

Development Of Specific Synthetic Amine Absorbents For CO 2

2. Hidetaka Yamada, Kazuya Goto, Katsunori Yogo, Duc Sy Dao,

Catupure, ICSST14, Oct.30-Nov.1, 2014

Computational Study on the Chemistry of Amine-based Absorbents

16. Kazuya Goto, Hidetaka Yamada, Takayuki Higashii, CO 2

for CO 2 Capture, 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition,

Absorption Into Apueous Solutions Of Hindered Amines, ICSST14,

Mar.16-20, 2014

Oct.30-Nov.1, 2014

3. Duc Sy Dao, Hidetaka Yamada, Kazuya Goto, Katsunori Yogo,
Amine-impregnated mesostructured silica for high-performance
CO2 capture, 247th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Mar.16-20,
2014

69

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈CO Storage Research Group〉
2

RITE Today 2015

CO2 Storage Research Group◆Original Paper

Greenhouse Gas Control, submitted

1. Yi Zhang, Osamu Nishizawa, Tamotsu Kiyama, Shun

11. Takamichi Nakamura, The potential application of microbial

Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue, Flow behaviour of supercritical CO2 andtechnology in CCS sites, Seibutu-kogaku, Vol.93, No.2(in press)

brine in Berea sandstone during drainage and imbibition revealed

12. Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Hisao Satoh, "Experimental assessment

by medical X-ray CT images, Geophysical Journal International. ,of well integrity for CO2 geological storage: Batch experimental

197 (3), p1789-1807, 2014

results on geochemical interactions between a CO2-brine mixture

2. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Shun Chiyonobu,, Ziqiu Xue,and a sandstone-cement-steel sample, International Journal of

Geostatistical modeling for the spatial mud content based on

Greenhouse Gas Control, submitted

sequence stratigraphic framework and its significance for CCS: as

13. Joachim Tremosa, Saeko Mito, Pascal Audigane and Ziqiu

a case study of the Nagaoka CO2 storage site, Japan, The Journal

Xue, "Experimental assessment of well integrity for CO2 geologicalof the Geological Society of Japan, under review

storage: II. A numerical study on geochemical interactions between

3. Keisuke Uchimoto, Tomohiro Nakamura, Jun Nishioka,

a CO 2 -brine mixture and a sandstone-cement-steel sample

Humio Mitsudera, Kazuhiro Misumi, Daisuke Tsumune, Masaaki

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, submitted

Wakatsuchi, Simulation of high concentration of iron in dense

14. Sho Kimura, Hiroaki Kaneko, Takuma Ito, Hideki Minagawa,shelf water in the Okhotsk Sea, Progress in Oceanography, 126,

The effect of effective normal stress on particle breakage, porosity

194-210, 2014

and permeability of sand: Evaluation of faults around methane

4. Tomohiro Nakamura, Yuuki Takeuchi, Keisuke Uchimoto,hydrate reservoirs, Tectonophysics, submitted

Humio Mitsudera, Masaaki Wakatsuchi, Effects of temporal

15. Kazuhiko Nakano, Saeko MITO, Atsushi Ohbuchi, Ziqiu

variation in tide-induced vertical mixing in the Kuril Straits on the

XUE, Observation of Cement-Sandstone Interface after Reaction

thermohaline circulation originating in the Okhotsk Sea, Progresswith Supercritical CO2 using SEM-EDS, μ-XRD, and μ-Ramanin Oceanography, 126, 135-145, 2014

Spectroscopy, Analytical Sciences, submitted

5. Yi Zhang, Osamu Nishizawa, Tamotsu Kiyama, Ziqiu Xue,
Saturation-path dependency of P-wave velocity and attenuation in◆Other Paper

sandstone saturated with CO2 and brine revealed by simultaneous

1.Jun Kita, "Carbon Dioxide Storage in Sub-Seabed Geologicalmeasurements of waveforms and X-ray CT images, Geophysics,
submitted
6. Hiroyuki Azuma, Ziqiu Xue, Toshifumi Matsuoka, The possibilityof the monitoring using seismic attenuation for CO2 geologicalstorage, BUTSURI-TANSA Geophysical Exploration vol.68 No.1
2015
7. Jerry Blackford, Henrik Stahl, Jonathan M. Bull, Benoît J.P.
Bergès, Melis Cevatoglu, Anna Lichtschlag, Douglas Connelly,
Rachael H. James, Jun Kita, Dave Long, Mark Naylor, Kiminori
Shitashima, Dave Smith, Peter Taylor, Ian Wright, Maxine Akhurst,
Baixin Chen, Tom M. Gernon, Chris Hauton, Masatoshi Hayashi,
Hideshi Kaieda, Timothy G. Leighton, Toru Sato, Martin D.J. Sayer,
Masahiro Suzumura, Karen Tait, Mark E. Vardy, Paul R. White,

70

Formations - Status as measure for CO 2 emission reductions-Aquabiology, vol.36 no.2, p240-245, 2014
2. Ziqiu Xue, Current status of technology development for safety
and confidence building of large scale CCS, OHM, p.24-27, May
2014
3. Don J. White, Thomas M. Daley, ed. Ziqiu Xue, Current status oftechnology development and CCS projects in U.S., OHM, p.12-15,
May 2014
4. Ryozo Tanaka, Section 4 Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS),
2. CCS Legal Framewark, 3. Major CCS Projects in the World,
Marine White Paper 2015

Steve Widdicombe", "Detection and impacts of leakage from sub-◆Oral Presentation

seafloor deep geological carbon dioxide storage", Nature Climate

1. Makiko Takagishi, Tsutomu Hashimoto, Shigeo Horikawa,

Change, DOI: 10.1038/NCLIMATE2381, 2014

Kin'ichiro Kusunose, Ziqiu Xue, Seismic monitoring at the

8. Keisuke Uchimoto, Takuya Nakanowatari, Tomohiro Nakamura,commercial-scale CO2 geological storage site, Cranfield, U.S. (Part

Hiroki Uehara, Humio Mitsudera, Kay I. Ohshima, Hiroyasu

3), Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2014, May 02, 2014

Hasumi, Masaaki Wakatsuchi, Causes of the multidecadal-scale

2. Hiroyuki Azuma, Ziqiu Xue, The possibility of monitoring using

warming of the intermediate water in the Okhotsk Sea and westernseismic velocity in CO2-EOR, Proceedings of the 130th SEGJ

subarctic North Pacific, Journal of Climate, submitted

Conference, 2014, May 28-30 2014

9. Jun Kita, Henrik Stahl, Masatoshi Hayashi, Tammy Green, Yuji

3. Hiroyuki Azuma, Ziqiu Xue, Toshifumi Matsuoka, The estimation

Watanabe, Stephen Widdicombe, Benthic megafauna and CO2

of CO2 saturation by seismic velocity and amplitude attenuation,

bubble dynamics observed by underwater photography during

AOGS 2014,July 30-Aug 1, 2014a controlled sub-seabed release of CO2, International Journal of

4. Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue, Shun Chiyonobu, Hiroyuki

Greenhouse Gas Control, submitted

Azuma, Numerical simulation of CO2 leakage for assessment of

10. Yuji Watanabe, Karen Tait, Simon Gregory, Masatoshi Hayashi,

the environmental impacts at geological storage sites, AGOS 11th

Akifumi Shimamoto, Peter Taylor, Henrik Stahl, Kay Green, Ikuo

Annual meeting, July 31, 2014

Yoshinaga, Yuichi Suwa, Jun Kita, Response of the ammonia

5. Ryozo Tanaka, CCS Regulation and Demonstration in Japan,

oxidation activity of microorganisms in surface sediment to a

6th IEA International CCS Regulatory Network Meeting, Paris, May

ontrolled sub-seabed release of CO 2, International Journal of27, 2014

2014 Paper, Presentation and Publication〈CO Storage Research Group〉
2

RITE Today 2015

CO2 Storage Research Group6. Makiko Takagishi, Development for microseismic monitoring

Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX, USA, Oct 08, 2014

and evaluation method at CO2 injection sites, Japan Natural Gass

17. Ziqiu Xue, Susumu Nishio, Naoto Hagiwara, Toshifumi

Association 2nd Natural gas geological storage study meeting,Matsuoka, Microbubble carbon dioxide injection for enhanced

May 26, 2014

dissolution in geological sequestration and improved oil recovery,

7. Ryozo Tanaka, Recent and Ongoing CCS Developments in12th International conference of Greenhouse Gas Control

Japan, 66th IEA WPFF meeting, Beijing, Jun 06, 2014

Technologies, Austin, TX, USA, Oct 08, 2014

8. Hiroyuki Azuma, Ziqiu Xue, Toshifumi Matsuoka, Utilization of

18. Takahiro Nakajima, Takuma Ito, Shun Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue,

seismic attenuation in the monitoring of CO2 geological storage

Effects of heterogeneity on CO 2 storage in a saline reservoir:

project, 12th International conference of Greenhouse Gas Control

a case study from Nagaoka pilot CCS site in Japan, IEAGHG

Technologies, Austin, USA, Oct 06, 2014

Monitoring netowork and modelling network combined meeting,

9. Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue, Shun Chiyonobu, Hiroyuki

Aug 06, 2014

Azuma, Numerical simulation of CO2 leakage along fault system forthe assessment of the environmental impacts at CCS sites, 12th
International conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies,
Austin, TX, USA, Oct 06, 2014
10. Takahiro Nakajima, Osamu Nishizawa, Ziqiu Xue, ,Characterization on reservoir complex and CO 2 plume with
Vp/Vs: Case study at Nagaoka site in Japan, 12th International
conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX,
USA, Oct 08, 2014
11. Makiko Takagishi , Tsutomu Hashimoto, Shigeo Horikawa,
Kinichiro Kusunose, Ziqiu Xue, Susan D Hovorka, Microseismic
Monitoring at the Large-Scale CO2 Injection Site, Cranfield, MS,
U.S.A., 12th International conference of Greenhouse Gas Control
Technologies, Austin, TX, USA, Oct 07, 2014
12. C. Ostertag-Henning, A. Risse, B. Thomas, R. Rosenbauer,
C. Rochelle, G. Purser, A. Kilpatrick, J. Rosenqvist, B. Yardley,
A. Karamalidis,f, C. Griffith, S. Hedges, R. Dilmore, A. Goodman,
J. Black, R. Haese, C. Deusner, N. Bigalke, M. Haeckel, S.
Fischer, A. Liebscher, J.P. Icenhower, D. Daval, G.D. Saldi, K.G.
Knauss, M. Schmidt, S. Mito, M. Sorai and L. Truch, GaMin’11 –an international inter-laboratory comparison for geochemical CO2- saline fluid - mineral interaction experiments, 12th International
conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX,
USA, Oct 08, 2014
13. Yi Zhang, Osamu Nishizawa, Tamotsu Kiyama, Ziqiu Xue,
Hysteretic elastic wave velocity and attenuation in partiallysaturated sandstone by CO 2 and brine: evidenced by anexperimental study with X-ray CT, 12th International conference ofGreenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX, USA, Oct 08,
2014
14. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Shun Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue,
Petrophysical properties and their relation to injected CO2 behavior
in a reservoir at the Nagaoka pilot site, Japan, 12th International
conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX,
USA, Oct 08, 2014
15. Kazuhiko Nakano, Atsushi Ohbuchi, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue,
Chemical interaction of well composite samples with supercritical
CO2 along the cement - sandstone interface, 12th International
conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Austin, TX,
USA, Oct 08, 2014
1 6 . Z i q i u X u e , H y u c k P a r k , Ta m o t s u K i y a m a , Ts u t o m u
Hashimoto,Osamu Nishizawa and Tetsuya Kogure, Effects ofhydrostatic pressure on strain measurement with distributed opticalfiber sensing system, 12th International conference of Greenhouse

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2015 Vol.10