2016 Vol.11

2016 Vol.1 1

Foreword

03■ Significance of Paris Agreement
Kenji Yamaji, Director-General

Feature04■ COP21 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets beyond 2020
Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis GroupR&D Activities■ Research & Coordination Group・Measures in Future for Deployment of CCS

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■ Systems Analysis Group・Research Activities in Systems Analysis Group■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group・Global Biorefinery Trends and Research Overview of the Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group28■ Chemical Research Group・Challenges in the Advanced Industrialization of CO2 Capture Technologies and the Development of Inorganic Membranes and Membrane Reactors for H2 Energy Production

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■ CO2 Storage Research Group・Installing and Utilizing CO2 Geological Storage Technologies on Site

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Topics

56

2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication

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■ Foreword ■RITE Today 2016

Significance of Paris Agreement
Director-General Kenji Yamaji
Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth2015 was a memorable year for Japan’s energy and environmental policy.
Japan’s energy policy was thrown into confusion by the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. However, the Japanese government decided an energy mix planfor 2030 in July 2015, and drew up a global warming mitigation plan (Intended
Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)) for COP21 to be held at the end of
2015. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 as an international framework in which all major countries participate. The Japanese government had advocated the establishment of such a framework for a long time.
The Paris Agreement requires each participating country to voluntarily
set its global warming mitigation goal and implementation plan, which are to bereviewed every five years. In order to promote the effective implementation of
global warming mitigation measures, all participating countries are required toreport the status of implementation in a more transparent way according to acommon method, and the status of implementation reported by each country is tobe reviewed. This approach is similar to the pledge-and-review approach that has
been proposed by Japan for more than 20 years.
The Paris Agreement also specifies a long-term goal to hold the increasein global average temperature to well below 2℃ above pre-industrial levels, andpursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. In order to achieve the long-term goal, each participating country is required
to aim to peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and achieve
net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the latter half of the century. However, theabove long-term goal may be problematic.
There are a number of scientific uncertainties about global warming, andthere are a number of uncertain factors with regard to the forecast of the impactsof an increase in temperature and the feasibility of global warming mitigation
measures. It is considered that it is necessary to take global warming mitigation
measures in terms of risk taking account of such a number of uncertainties. Specifically, it is important to take effective long-term global warming mitigation measures on a global scale while flexibly dealing with various situations that may occur
in the future, rather than setting the long-term goal using a specific numericalvalue. It is considered that it is appropriate to consider the long-term goal specified by the Paris Agreement to be a qualitative vision that represents the global
warming mitigation measures to be taken in the future.
The Japanese government is scheduled to complete a “Global Warming
Response Plan” that aims to implement the INDC by the spring of 2016 in viewof the Paris Agreement. The “Innovation Strategy for Energy and Environment”
that was proposed by Prime Minister Abe at COP21 will also be drawn up by the
spring of 2016. This strategy aims at the development of innovative technologies
and the application of these technologies all over the world so as to extend beyond the INDC for 2030.
It is important to conduct research and development from a global andlong-term point of view, and provide enhanced measures in order to take global
warming mitigation measures in terms of risk. The Paris Agreement points out
the importance of innovation. In particular, the importance of research and development such as CCS technology is highlighted from a long-term point of view
including the latter half of the 21st century.
RITE was established with the aim of contributing to the achievement of
the New Earth 21 Plan proposed by Japan at the 1990 Houston summit. The basic roles of RITE are to tackle global warming from a long-term and global pointof view, and contribute to widespread innovation as well as the development ofpolicies. RITE will strive to enhance our activities to improve the future of theearth taking account of the significance of RITE that was reconfirmed by the Paris
Agreement.

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■ Feature ■ COP21 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets beyond 2020

RITE Today 2016

COP21 and Greenhouse
Gas Emission Reduction
Targets beyond 2020

Keigo AkimotoGroup Leader, Systems Analysis Group

1. Introduction

A new epoch-making framework for climate change responses beyond
2020 (specifically, 2030 or 2025), the Paris Agreement, was agreed at the 21 st
Conference of Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Conventions on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 12, 2015 in Paris. In this new framework, countries – almost all countries being represented – tackle greenhouse gas(GHG) emission reductions under an internationally legal force without disaggregation into developed and developing countries. I would like to express my highest appreciation to all the people in Japan and abroad who have made great efforts for such difficult negotiations.
The Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997 and took effect in 2005,
requested developed countries to reduce their emissions bindingly, while having
little power on developing countries to reduce the emissions. According to the Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in 2014, the increase rates of global greenhouse gas emissions after 2000
were higher than those before 2000 due to rapid emission growth in middle-highincome countries, e.g., China, whose economies have developed rapidly. Although many nations made great efforts to reduce their emissions, they were notable to achieve effective reductions of global emissions.
In order to make a better framework for reducing GHG emissions effectively, the Japanese government has aimed to develop an international framework whereby all countries participate, and are required to reduce their emissions
effectively. In the negotiation processes on the road to the Paris Agreement, thegovernment refused to participate in the second commitment period (years of
2013–2020) of the Kyoto Protocol, as it still includes “developed and developing
countries” as two fixed groups. The government then started developing a newframework in which each nation pledges their own emission reduction target andthe international community reviews the targets: the so-called “pledge
and review”, and all countries participate in the elaboration of higher
targets, instead of the framework that decides the global emission cap
and allocates it to participating nations. The Paris Agreement wasagreed as a “pledge and review” type framework. The agreement also
has legal force internationally to require all member nations to submit
their emission targets – same as the Kyoto Protocol – but is yet very
different from that protocol which requires to achieve the decided emission reduction targets bindingly.
This article briefly overviews the COP21 decision and the Paris

The entrance of COP21 grounds in Paris

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■ Feature ■ COP21 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets beyond 2020

RITE Today 2016

Agreement. It is important to develop a review system for Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) that include the emission reduction targets of each country
in order to encourage continuous efforts on emission reductions, and therefore,
the Systems Analysis Group of RITE has been evaluating the emission reduction
efforts of NDCs. In this article, I would like to also discuss these evaluations.

2. Overview of the Paris Agreement

The COP15 held in Copenhagen, 2009, tried to agree on an emission reduction framework and targets toward 2020. The international community was notable to agree on a framework having legal force, but did agree on the Cancun
Agreement at COP16 in Cancun, 2010. Towards COP21, the French government
used strong determination and high flexibility to juggle different opinions among
countries and stakeholders, and carefully built a consensus for the Paris Agreement. While the Paris Agreement has no binding targets for emission reductions(like the Cancun Agreement), it is one of the international treaties that have legal
force followed by the descriptions in the agreement (which is different from the
Cancun Agreement).
Article 2 of the Paris Agreement states that it “aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty” by “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue
efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C”, “increasing the ability to adapt
to the adverse impacts of climate change”, and “making finance flows consistent
with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development”. On the other hand, UNFCCC which is a treaty above the Paris
Agreement intends “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference withthe climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time frame sufficient
to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable economic development to proceed in asustainable manner”. The fact that the Paris Agreement described a specific target of global warming mitigation to be achieved for the world is a big change. In
addition, it is also a big change that the target moves from atmospheric GHG
concentration levels to temperature change levels. However, the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and temperature change has a large uncertainty, and therefore, it should be noted that the required emission reduction levels
have large uncertain ranges.
The Paris Agreement remains the UNFCCC’s “common but differentiatedresponsibility” which has been utilized for disaggregation into two groups, i.e., developed and developing countries. However, the Paris Agreement adds “in thelight of different national circumstances” and avoids complete disaggregation into
two groups. All member countries shall provide NDCs every five years, provide
information including implementation and achievability of INDCs every two years,
and undergo technical expert reviews. In this procedure, there is no differentiation
between developed and developing countries. Good and fair reviews under theParis Agreement will induce effective emission reductions, and it will be one of
the most important results of the Paris Agreement.

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■ Feature ■ COP21 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets beyond 2020

RITE Today 2016

Table 1 : Differences among Kyoto Protocol, Cancun Agreement, and Paris Agreement (Source: Mr. H. Mitsumata, METI, for the lecture at
the symposium on innovative environmental technologies organized by RITE, 2015; translation to English by RITE)UNFCCC (1992),
Kyoto Protocol (1997)

Cancun Agreement (2010)[without regal force]

Paris Agreement (2015)[with regal force]

Mitigation(emission
reduction)[Developed countries]
economy-wide absolute emission reduction
target (in Kyoto Protocol)[Developing countries]
No specific targets of emission reductions[Developed countries]
economy-wide absolute emission reduction
target[Developing countries]
Mitigation action plans[Both developed and developing countries]
shall communicate NDCs every five years[Developed countries]
should continue taking economy-wide absoluteemission reduction targets[Developing countries]
are encouraged to move over time towards
economy-wide emission reduction or limitation
targets

Finance[Developed countries][Developed countries]
requirements of finance supports to developing financial supports of 100 billion US$ per
countries
year for the developing countries conducting
meaningful mitigation actions and transparency
on implementation[Developed countries]
should provide financial resources to assist
developing countries[Developing countries]
are also encouraged to provide financial
resources

Transparency of [Developed countries]
actions
national inventory reports every years andnational reports including policies and measureson mitigation, adaptation and finance supports
every four years[Developing countries]
national reports without deadline[Developed countries]
biennial reports on the progress in achieving
emission reductions[Developing countries]
biennial update reports containing updates ofnational greenhouse gas inventories[Both developed and developing countries]- shall provide the information including theimplementation and achievability of INDCs every
two years- shall undergo technical expert review for the
implementations and achievements

3. Evaluations on Nationally Determined Contributions of major economic countries from the viewpoint of emission reduction efforts

How to measure and evaluate emission reduction efforts of NDCs is crucial to increase the effectiveness of emission reductions. RITE attempted to undertake such an exercise. This article discusses evaluation results very briefly,
and more details will be introduced in the part dealing with the research activity
overviews of the Systems Analysis Group.
Several types of emission reduction targets were submitted for the INDCs:
emission reduction rates from base year, reduction rates of emissions per GDP
from base year, emission reduction ratios from baseline emissions, etc. In addition, the base years are also different. Such flexibility is important to encourage
submissions of all countries under different national circumstances. However, theflexibility makes it all the more difficult to compare emission reduction efforts
across nations. RITE has evaluated emission reduction efforts across countries
by using multiple relevant indicators, and measuring them with the cooperation of
Resources for the Future (RFF) in the U.S. etc. The indicators include both of theabsolute values and improvement rates of GHG emissions per GDP, emission reduction ratios from baseline emissions, CO2 marginal abatement costs, and emission reduction costs per GDP. However, each of these indicators has both strong
and weak points, and they should be looked at by keeping their meanings andlimits in mind.
The Japanese government submitted an Intended Nationally Determined
Contribution (INDC) consisting of a 26% reduction by 2030 compared to 2013. Incomparison, the INDCs of the U.S., EU and China are 26–28% reduction by 2025
compared to 2005, 40% reduction by 2030 compared to 1990, and 60-65% reduction of CO2 emissions per GDP by 2030 compared to 2005, respectively.
Figure 1 shows the evaluations of emission reduction efforts for the indicators employed. Many of the indicators including CO2 marginal abatement costs
and emission reduction costs per GDP are ranking high for the INDCs of Switzerland and Japan. The marginal abatement costs for both are about 380 $/tCO2.
While Japan has achieved high energy efficiencies in many sectors, high improvements in energy efficiency are assumed for the INDC of Japan, and thus

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■ Feature ■ COP21 and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets beyond 2020

RITE Today 2016high marginal abatement costs are estimated. In Australia, the marginal abatement cost is not so high, but
the emission reduction cost per GDP is significantly
high.
These research studies were introduced as sideevents of COP21, and had a favorable reception.

Figure 1 : R ankings of INDCs in terms ofevaluation index for emission
reduction efforts (Source: RITE
estimates; Note: 119 countries andregions which submitted the INDCs
by October 1, 2015 were estimated,but only 20 countries which the
RITE model is able to evaluate in
the mitigation costs were shown)

Figure 2 : R elationship between expected
global greenhouse gas emissions
submitted by October 1, 2015
as Nationally Determined
Contributions, and the outlook forlong-term emission reductions andtemperature rise

4. Expected global greenhouse gas emissions by aggregated Nationally Determined Contributions

RITE also estimated the expected global GHG emissions when all thesubmitted INDCs are achieved. According to the estimate, the global GHG emissions in 2030 are 59.5 GtCO2eq. which would reduce emissions by 6.4 GtCO2eq.
from those in scenarios with only current policies in effect. The emission pathway
is consistent with the temperature increase scenarios of +2 to +3 °C above
pre-industrial levels. The range depends on the uncertainty of climate sensitivity
and the achievability of deep emission reductions beyond the latter half of the 21st
century thanks to possible developments and deployments of innovative technologies.
Although emission reductions are expected incountries whose marginal abatement costs of INDCs
are estimated to be high, emission increase is estimated in some of the countries whose marginal abatement
costs are nearly zero, and part of the emission reductions could be offset.
At COP21, “Mission Innovation”, which requires
governments and private companies to expand investments in research and development on clean energies,
was launched. The member countries aim at doubling
government’s expenditures on research and developments in clean energies. The Japanese government presented Japan’s contributions, “ACE (Action for Cool Earth) 2.0,” which consists of support for developments and more innovations in clean energies, and participation in “Mission
Innovation”.

5. Major future required items

The decision of COP21 requires IPCC to provide a special report on theimpacts and GHG emission pathways to achieve below 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. It will be very challenging to achieve even 2 °C above pre-industrial
levels, let alone the 1.5 °C target. In addition, all countries are required to submit
long-term emission targets by 2020. It is necessary to reduce global emissions
drastically in the long-term; however, if an emission reduction target with little
chance to be achieved is set and persistently maintained, the framework relying
on such targets will collapse in the future. In addition, excessively deep emission
reductions could raise issues hindering broader sustainable development rather
than climate change. It is necessary to conduct further quantitative research studies to come up with better solutions for climate change including such viewpoints.

7■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

Research & Coordination Group【Key members】
Masato Takagi, Deputy Group Leader, Expert Director
Satoshi Nakamura, Deputy Group Leader
Makoto Nomura, Chief Researcher
Kunio Sakuyama, Manager
Yoshinori Aoki, Manager
Yasuhide Nakagami, Planning Manager
Ichiro Saito, Vice Manager
Kohji Katsurahara, Vice Manager

Hideaki Tsuzuku
Group Leader

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

Measures in Future for Deployment of CCS
1. Introduction
The Paris Agreement was adopted as the final outcome of COP21 in December 2015. “Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature
increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”, “to undertake rapid reductions
thereafter in accordance with best available science, so as to achieve a balance
between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century” are set out in this agreement.
“Each Party shall prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions that it intends to achieve”, “Parties shall pursue domestic
mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions” and “Each Party shall communicate a nationally determined contribution
every five years” are also set out in this agreement. All countries including developing countries will take actions to address climate change and reviews will be
conducted every five years in accordance with this agreement.
In this situation, Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is largely expected as
one of the measures to reduce carbon dioxide which is one of greenhouse gases.
There are, however, various concerns and challenges for deploying CCS on a fullscale.
This report provides an outline of situation surrounding CCS, and themeasures in future for the deployment of CCS on a full scale.
2. Implications of IPCC AR5Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers says “Multiple lines ofevidence indicate a strong, consistent, almost linear relationship between cumu-8■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016lative CO2 emissions and projected global temperature change to the year 2100”.
No matter what global mean surface temperature is, therefore, it is necessary to
make incremental emission of CO2, i.e. emission of CO2 per annum, zero in orderto stabilize global mean surface temperature (Figure 1). Also the Scenarios
reaching atmospheric concentration levels of 430 to 480ppm CO2eq by 2100, i.e.
2 °C Scenario claims that the global CO2 emission per annum in 2100 is almost
zero (Figure 2,3). Policymakers, companies emitting CO2 and so on should better
address climate change taking these points into account.

Source : Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers, Figure SPM.5(b)Figure1 : Relationship between cumulative CO2 emissions and projected global temperature change

Source : Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) WGⅢ Report
Summary for Policymakers, Figure SPM.5
Figure 2 : Pathways of global GHG emissions in baseline and mitigation scenarios for different longterm concentration levels from 2000 to 2100

Source : IPCC Working Group III Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Figure 7.9
Figure 3 : Representative concentration pathways in Electricity sector by 2100

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■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

On the other hand, it takes considerable times to develop the infrastructure for CO2 emission reduction. For example, it is said that lead-time in construction of thermal power station will be about 10 years. It means that more than several times of lead-time in construction will be required to develop all theinfrastructures because all thermal power stations cannot be constructed at atime. If we take these points into consideration, therefore, we do not have muchtime until 2050 or even 2100. We have to commence implementing measures
early.
There are limited measures for CO2 emission reduction. We have to review all measures and implement these measures steadily. CCS is one of important measure options among these measures, and its deployment should be promoted. However, it takes considerable period of time and funds to deploy CCS ona full scale. It is pointed out, for example, that “It can take a considerable periodof time, possibly up to ten years, to fully appraise a green field site ready for a final investment decision”. So making steady preparations is very important not tofall within moving second.
3. Overseas situations surrounding CCS
3.1 The current status of CCS large-scale projects in the world
According to “The Global Status of CCS: 2015”, there are 15 large scale
integrated projects (LSIPs) listed in the Operate stage and 7 projects in the Execute stage. The number of LSIPs in the Operate stage increases by 2 projects,
the number of LSIPs in Execute stage decreases by 2 projects. The number of
total LSIPs including the planning stages of development amounts to 45, decreasing by 10 projects compared to those in last year (Figure 4).

Source : The global Status of CCS 2015 VOLUME 2
Figure 4 : Large Scale Integrated Projects of CCS in the world

The number of LSIPs in China amounts to 9 projects second to USA. Although China does not have LSIPs in the Operate and Execute stage, proceeding LSIPs with EOR and others in China in future is expected.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

3.2 Trends in regulation on CCS in USA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized two rules under
Clean Air Act in August 2015 (Table1).
Table 1 : Trends in regulation on CO2 emission in USA

The first rule is Carbon Pollution Standards for New, Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants. The final standards went into effect on Oct. 23rd 2015.
The final standards for newly constructed fossil fuel-fired Electricity Generation
Units (EGUs) apply to those sources that commenced construction on or after thedate of publication of the proposed standards, Jan. 8th 2014. The standards require that the rate of CO2 emission from newly constructed coal-fired steam generating units is less than 640kg-CO2/MWh-gross and that the rate of CO2 emission from newly constructed natural gas-fired stationary combustion turbines isless than 450kg-CO2/MWh-gross or 470 kg-CO2/MWh-net when units are operated above the unit-specific percentage electric sales threshold which is equivalent
to a unit’s net design efficiency. It is required to implement partial carbon captureand storage (CCS) on newly constructed coal-fired steam generating units in future.
The second rule is Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants with customized goals for states to cut the carbon pollution that is driving climate change.
The rule went into effect on Dec. 22nd 2015. EPA is establishing ① Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission performance rates,② state-specific emission performance

rates, and ③ state-specific CO2 goals reflecting the CO2 emission performance
rates. Each state will establish and implement plans to meet the state goals.
Measures in detail are required to be established by each state. Heat rate improvement, Fuel switching to natural gas, Use of renewable energy together, Deployment of carbon capture and storage, Fuel switching to biomass, and Use ofemission trade are set out in this rule as the examples of measures.
United States of America has the strategies to reduce CO2 emission by
regulation for respective units and state-specific regulation. Nationwide, by 2030,
this final rule will achieve CO2 emission reductions from the utility power sector of
approximately 32 percent from CO2 emission levels in 2005.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

3.3 International standardization for CCS
A Technical Committee (ISO/TC265) was established within International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the international standards for CCS
have been developed under this ISO framework. Six working groups are set up
under the TC: Capture WG, Transportation WG, Storage WG, Cross-Cutting WG,
Quantification & Verification WG and Enhanced Oil Recovery WG. For participating in this international framework, Japan set up the mirror committee of ISO/
TC265 for the domestic discussion.
Each WG is developing International standards (IS) and Technical report(TR) (Table 2, Figure 5). TR on CO2 capture has been finalized by WG1 and thisTR is in the process of publication. Japan takes a lead of WG1 activity and thisTR will be the first published document from TC265. WG1 has also started to develop IS for post combustion capture technology integrated with power plant.
WG2 is developing IS on transportation by pipeline and this IS will be publishedthis year. WG3 is developing IS on onshore and offshore CO2 storage. WG4 isdeveloping TR compiled with the information of quantification and verification.
WG5 is developing IS on vocabulary and TR for life-cycle risk management. WG6
is developing IS for CCS-EOR.
A first TR and IS are expected to be published in 2016.
Table 2 : Summary of WGs activities

Figure 5 : Development schedule for standardization12■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

4. Trends of measures for deployment of CCS steadily
4.1 Importance and challenges of CCS
The promotion of CCS deployment is very important as well as low carbon
emission energy such as renewable energy, nuclear power and so on in order toreduce CO2 emission drastically for restraining increase of global mean surface
temperature because there are few options of measures. In the electric power
generation sectors, load adjusting mechanism such as batteries or load adjusting
power generation units is necessary because renewable energy like solar power,
wind power and so on, or nuclear power cannot meet the variable load well. The
thermal power generation equipped with CCS is a very important measure fromthis point of view.
There are some criticisms and anxieties about CCS in Japan. ① “There isno advantage in deploying CCS used only for addressing global warming problem which has an external diseconomy.”② “Are there places suitable for CO2

storage in Japan where there are many faults and heterogeneous geological formations and earthquakes will occur?” ③ “No rules for the deployment of CCS areestablished as of now. Is the business of CO2 storage feasible although there aremany risks, for example, the risk that we cannot inject predicted amounts of CO2?”
4.2 Things to tackle for deployment of CCS
Facilitating the deployment of CCS, reducing risks of CCS business andso on are necessary to deploy CCS on a full scale in future considering the criticisms and anxieties mentioned above.
The first thing to tackle for the deployment of CCS is the implementation of
successive research and development (R&D) for cost reduction. It is extremely
difficult that only private sectors implement R&D because CCS is expected to be
deployed on a full scale in 2030. The government should lead successive implementation of R&D.
The second thing to tackle for the deployment of CCS is grasp and database compilation of quantity of CO2 reservoirs. Grasp of quantity of CO2 reservoirs is very important when the parties concerned like policymakers entities,
company emitting CO2 decide to deploy CCS on a full scale. On the other hand,“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.” is pointed out. Early-stage storage site characterization is important for accelerating CCS deployment because it takes considerable period of time and fund to grasp and compile
database of quantity of CO2 reservoirs.
The third thing to tackle for the deployment of CCS is R&D of more economical and safer CCS technology suitable for geological formations in Japan.
There are many faults and heterogeneous geological formations. It is necessary
to develop more economical and safer CCS technology to secure CO2 reservoirs.
RITE proposes a next-generation CO2 storage system which has advantageous13

■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

effects by extracting water from the aquifer.
The fourth thing to tackle for the deployment of CCS is to establish mechanisms, legislative system and so on. It is very difficult to deploy CCS by market
mechanism because CCS is a countermeasure only for global warming which
has an external diseconomy. It is necessary to establish some mechanisms including incentive such as subsidy and tax reduction, emissions trading, and regulations.
The final thing to tackle for the deployment of CCS is to promote understanding of CCS. CCS is not familiar to public although it is critical technology foraddressing global warming. There is anxiety about leak of CO2 stored underground. It is important to make efforts to explain the accurate information plainlyfor promoting understanding of CCS.
4.3 Image of deploying CCS
It is important to implement R&D of CO2 capture and storage successively
and storage site characterization. Implementing a large scale demonstration project is necessary before CCS deployment on a full scale. Successive promotionof understanding of public on CCS is necessary because there are anxieties
about leak of CO2 stored underground and inducing earthquakes. It can take aconsiderable period of time for storage site characterization, environmental impact assessment, and construction of facilities when it comes to operating CCS.
Considering the indication that “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.”, it is necessary to prepare for seven to ten years before operating CCS
on a full scale in 2030 on the premise that legislative system and mechanisms facilitating CCS deployment will be established. Figure 6 indicates image of deploying CCS.
As mentioned above, it is necessary to prepare systematically and steadily
toward CCS deployment.

Figure 6 : Image of deploying CCS

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■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

5. More economical and safer CCS technology (SUCCESS)
5.1 Secure quantity of CO2 stored by Multi-Well System
In Japan, geological formations often contain many faults and impermeable layers. Thus, there is a possibility that we cannot inject enough amount of
CO2 actually. We have to take into account the above stated points when we plan
to store CO2 underground. “SUCCESS” (Storage & Utilization of CO2 for Coexistence of Economical & Safe System) has been proposed as one of the next-generation CO2 storage system which has three advantageous effects which are utilization of geothermal heat, relax of formation pressure, and realization of injection
rate by extracting water from the reservoir with pressure relief wells. This system
is also expected to secure enough amounts of stored CO2 in a reservoir of closed
system which is surrounded by faults and impermeable layers. A CO2 reservoir ofopen system which has open boundary can secure enough amounts of stored
CO2. However, the CO2 reservoir of closed system cannot secure it. The reason
is that CO2 injection induces an increase of formation pressure to be unable forwater to flow throughout the reservoir in the closed system. On the other hand,by setting the pressure relief well and extracting water from the reservoir, inherent
storage capacity of the reservoir can be fulfilled. In this way, CO2 reservoir ofclosed system can secure enough amounts of stored CO2 by setting pressure relief wells in addition to the injection wells (Figure 7).

Figure 7 : Image of capacity improvement of CO2 reservoir by multi-well system

5.2 Examination of effects of Multi-Well System by the numerical value simulation
RITE has conducted numerical value simulation of Multi-Well System with
injection wells and pressure relief wells using an actual geological model at a certain site. Figure 8 indicates the results. W-1 is an injection well; W-2 and W-3 arepressure relief wells in Figure 8. They all are set at high permeable zones. The
amount of injected CO2 prepared for the simulation is one million ton per annum.
We calculate three cases i.e. case of setting no pressure relief well, case of set-15

■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016ting pressure relief well at W-2 and case of setting pressure relief well at W-3. As
a result, we cannot inject CO2 after 4 years duration in the case of setting nopressure relief well due to increase of the formation pressure. On the other hand,
we can inject CO2 for more than 12 years in the case of setting pressure relief
well at W-2. However, we cannot inject CO2 after 4 years duration in the case of
setting pressure relief well at W-3. From these calculated results, we recognizethat the setting of pressure relief well cannot produce the effects in the case of nocontinuity (conductivity) of the three-dimensional high permeable zone between
W-1 and W-3. As mentioned above, setting pressure relief wells is extremely effective on CO2 reservoir of closed system, but appropriate arrangement of thewells should be considered because some cases that setting of pressure relief
wells cannot produce the effects exist in some wells arrangement and geologicalconditions.

Figure 8 : Examination of effects of Multi-Well System by the numerical value simulation

As mentioned above, the storage capability of reservoir varies dependingon the location of injection well and pressure relief wells. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the best locations where we can maximize the amounts of cumulative injected CO2 by setting pressure relief wells. Actually we calculated 3,450
cases using Differential Evolution (DE) method as a method to optimize the wells
arrangement. The amount of cumulative injected CO2 (up to 25 years) in the maximized case is about 15.6 million ton which is 3.3 times in comparison with minimum (Figure 9). It is essential to improve the methods like this for injecting CO2
effectively into complicated geological formations.

Figure 9 : Optimized well arrangement and result of calculation16

■ R&D Activities ■ Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2016

The method of setting pressure relief wells causes increase of the cost
due to drilling new wells and treating the produced water. It is also necessary toreview and calculate considering trade-off relationship between the increase ofcost and the increase of reservoir capacity.
6. Conclusion
It is finally necessary to make annual CO2 emission zero in order to stabilize global mean surface temperature. ① the global CO2 emission per annum in
2100 is almost zero and ② CO2 emission per annum from power generation sector in 2050 is almost zero in, what we call, 2°C Scenarios. CCS is one of important measure options and the deployment of CCS should be promoted because
there are limited measures for CO2 emission reduction.
In order to deploy CCS on a full scale in future, the following measures
should be taken; ① implementation of successive research and development(R&D) for cost reduction, ② grasp and database compilation of quantity of CO2
reservoirs, ③ R&D of more economical and safer CCS technology suited to geological formations in Japan, ④ establishing mechanisms, legislative system andso on, and ⑤ promoting understanding of CCS. Especially, it is necessary to develop more economical and safer CCS technology suitable for geological formations in Japan because there are many faults and heterogeneous geological formations in Japan. The next-generation CO2 storage system (SUCCESS), which
RITE proposes, is extremely effective in geological formations of closed system
by setting pressure relief well. It is important to develop the methods of optimizing
well arrangement in future.

References
1) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers, 2015, IPCC
2) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) WG Ⅲ Report
Summary for Policymakers, 2015, IPCC
3) IPCC Working Group III Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change, 2015, IPCC
4) The global Status of CCS 2015 VOLUME 2, 2015, GCCSI
5) Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed
Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, 2015, US EPA
6) Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating
Units, 2015, US EPA

17

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

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
Keii Gi, Researcher

Research Activities in Systems Analysis GroupThe Systems Analysis Group provides valuable information about measures on global warming and energy issues, both in and outside Japan by thinking
them systematically and through systems analyses. We present here three research topics out of our research activities conducted in 2015; 1) our evaluationon the required efforts to achieve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction
targets beyond 2020 (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions: INDCs), 2)
the assessment of energy efficiency of power plants in India, as it is important to
conduct effective emission reduction measures in developing countries, and 3) anevaluation of hydrogen systems as one of the key innovative technologies for effective mitigations on climate change. Our group contributes to better climatechange policies and measures through such analyses and evaluations.
1. Evaluations on emission reduction efforts of the INDCs
The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 as described in the feature
part. Appropriate reviews are important to make effective GHG emission reductions on a global level. This section introduces the evaluation of the INDCs submitted by Japan and other major nations in terms of emission reduction efforts.
1.1 Evaluations on the Japan’s INDC
In July 2015, the Japanese government decided the official outlook of energy supply and demand for 2030 and a corresponding GHG emission target of
26% reduction compared to 2013. Then they submitted the INDC including theemission reduction target to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In this decision, the government assumed 17% of energy savings from the baseline, and aimed at decreasing electricity costs. On the other hand, the price elasticity of electricity is low (which18

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016means that price increases induce only small savings of electricity). As a matterof fact, there surely is potential fora certain of energy savings in residential andcommercial sectors as the government assumed. However, one must notice thatsuch large savings have not been achieved in the past due to multiple barriers toeffective energy savings in these sectors – sometimes called “hidden costs” –which are not considered in this simple estimate of energy saving potentials.
According to the estimates by RITE energy and global warming mitigationassessment model DNE21+, the marginal abatement cost for the 26% reduction
target of GHG emissions is about 380 $/tCO2 and that for the 22% reduction contribution in energy-related CO2 emissions is about 260 $/tCO2. Both marginal
costs are significantly high because the reduction target was developed assuming considerable energy savings. Before the government made these decisions,
RITE realized several cost assessments including the economic impacts for different scenarios in electricity supply by source, GHG emission reduction levels,
etc. in order to provide valuable information as decision support. In these estimates, the economic impacts under several scenarios with different shares of renewable energies and nuclear powers, and different intensities of GHG emissions
were provided quantitatively. According to RITE global energy and economic
model DEARS, which can estimate the economic impacts including spillover effects across sectors in the whole economy, GDP loss is 2.5% which corresponds
to about 18 trillion JPY per year. Such large impacts depend little on the decided
electricity mix (renewables: around 22- 24%, nuclear: around 20- 22%, coal:around 26%, LNG: around 27%) but do largely on the assumed high amounts ofenergy savings. The electricity mix is considered to be relatively well balanced
taking account of the actual constraints on electricity in Japan. On the other hand,the energy savings assumed here are too large and can have huge impacts on
the economy. While the target for energy savings is too stringent, achieving it
would require a good environment on whole economy inducing wide capital investments in private sectors to ensure smart measures on energy savings.
1.2 Evaluations of the INDCs of major economic nations
The Systems Analysis Group, together with Resources for the Future(RFF) in the U.S. and the Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) in Italy, has conducted an evaluation of emission reduction efforts of INDCs employing multiple
indicators enabling to measure the levels of efforts.
The appropriate indicators include both absolute levels and improvement
rates of GHG emissions per GDP, emission reduction ratios from baseline emissions, CO2 marginal abatement costs, and emission reduction costs per GDP.
However, no silver bullet indicator exists, and each indicator has good and bad
points as shown in Table 1. Therefore, the indicators should be used while acknowledging their meanings and limits.
Figure 1 shows GHG emissions per capita, GHG emissions per GDP, and19

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

CO2 marginal abatement costs for twenty nations/regions of INDCs (in 2025 for
the U.S. and in 2030 for other nations). The emission per capita of the INDC of
China in 2030, for example, is much higher than that of EU and Japan.
The GHG emissions per GDP of the INDC of Japan is evaluated to be at
an excellent level when the INDCs of Switzerland and Norway where hydro power contribute greatly to the electricity supplies are excluded.
Table 1 : Indicators employed for measuring emissions reduction efforts
Indicators for emission reduction efforts

Overview and notes

Emissions reduction ratio from base year

When baseline emissions are expected to stagnate, it is more relevant to simply compare the projected reduction rates and theestimate of BAU with uncertainties can be avoided.

Emissions per capita

As it is highly dependent on the country’s level of economic activity and situation in general, it can be difficult to assess
emissions reduction efforts through this indicator.

CO2 intensity (GHG emissions per GDP)

Reveals what level of CO2 emissions corresponds to what degree of economic activity. However, it depends on the country’s
industry structure that has less relations with emission reduction efforts.

Emissions reduction ratio compared to While it allows taking into account the difference of economic growths, etc., it puts aside past efforts in energy savings andBAU
abatement potential of renewables.
CO 2 marginal abatement cost (carbon This is a particularly relevant indicator to assess reduction efforts as it contains countries’ differences in terms of economic
price)
growth, energy savings efforts, abatement potential of renewables. Uncertainties are high as this is a model-based estimation.
While marginal abatement costs show the additional effort to be made, this indicator also includes the efforts made in the
Retail prices of energy (electricity, city
baseline. Market data is available for ex-post evaluation, but for ex-ante evaluation, only model-based estimates are availablegas, gasoline, diesel)
which makes uncertainties rather high.
Emission reduction costs per GDP

As marginal abatement costs do not take into account the economy’s ability to bear such an effort, this indicator does.
Uncertainties are high as this is a model-based estimation.

Figure 1 : Example evaluations on emission reduction efforts of INDCs (GHG emissions per capita, GHG emissions per GDP, andCO2 marginal abatement costs; in 2025 for the U.S. and in 2030 for other nations)20

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

For the estimations of marginal abatement costs, climate change mitigation models are required. The models need to assume the estimates of current
energy efficiency levels by sector, cost reductions of renewable energies etc. andtherefore the estimated costs have uncertain ranges across models. Figure 2
shows the marginal abatement costs estimated not only by RITE model DNE21+
but also by other models. The WITCH model developed by FEEM cannot evaluate the Japan separately. RITE participates in an international model comparison
project for evaluations of the INDCs, MILES, which funded by European Commission, and evaluates the Japan’s INDC with National Institute of Environmental
Studies (NIES). Figure 2 also shows the cost estimate for the Japan’s INDC by
the AIM model developed by NIES, which is about 186 $/tCO2. While these estimates have a certain levels of uncertainty, they are considered to be comparable
for major countries.

Figure 2 : Estimates of CO2 marginal abatement costs of INDCs (Comparison between RITEDNE21+ and NIES AIM/Enduse and FEEM WITCH)

Many indicators of Switzerland, Japan and EU were evaluated to havehigh rankings and the INDCs to require large emission reduction efforts and to beambitious. On the other hand, the INDCs of Turkey, Kazakhstan, China etc. were
evaluated to be relatively inferior in terms of emission reduction effort. The U.S.
was in the middle; however, this result should be interpreted with care because
the U.S.’s target year is 2025 while many other nations’ are 2030. The CO2 marginal abatement costs of China, India etc. are almost zero and the INDCs ofthese nations can be realized only by following the Business as Usual (BAU),
while the estimates depend slightly on the uncertainty ranges in GDP outlook.
These evaluations can provide the opportunities for all the countries considering the rooms of further emission reductions, and it is important that good
PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycles are established for effective emission reductions.

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1.3 The relationship between the INDCs and the long-term goal
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published theFifth Assessment Reports (AR5) between 2014 and 2015. There are still large
uncertainties while scientific studies on climate change issues have improved.
One of the typical uncertainties is climate sensitivity. The equilibrium climate sensitivity (the equilibrium temperature rise levels when atmospheric CO2 concentration is double and stabilized) had been evaluated likely to be 1.5-4.5 °C and 2.5°C as the best estimate since the Third Assessment Report (TAR) of IPCC. The
climate sensitivity was evaluated likely to be 2.0-4.5 °C and 3.0 °C as the best
estimate in the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) published in 2007. However,according to the latest report of AR5, the climate sensitivity was evaluated likely
to be 1.5-4.5 °C (there was no consensus on the best estimate), in which thelowest range was smaller than that of AR4 and the same as that before AR4. Although the change is only 0.5 °C, the impact on allowable global emission reductions for a certain level of temperature target is very large. Figure 3 shows themultiple GHG emission pathways for certain levels of temperature target such as+2 °C target with the assumptions of climate sensitivity not only of 3.0 °C but alsoof 2.5 °C. There are large gaps between global GHG emissions in 2030 expectedby the submitted INDCs and the required emission pathways for +2 °C target withassumption of 3.0 °C of climate sensitivity. However, the expected emissions by
the INDCs are almost consistent with the emission pathways for +2 °C target withassumption of 2.5 °C of climate sensitivity, although the achievability depends
strongly on the realization of deep emission reductions in the latter half of the 21st
century.
There are also larger uncertainties on global warming damages than climate sensitivity. In addition, there are large uncertainties in global warming mitigation costs. A better climate change response measures under such several
kinds of large uncertainties are required in order to minimize the total risks. Systems Analysis Group also conducts such studies on climate change response
strategies under uncertainties including these analyses on the impacts of uncertainties in climate sensitivity.

Figure 3 : Expected global GHG emissions of the aggregated INDCs submitted by October 1, 2015
and the GHG emission pathways corresponding to temperature change levels

22■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

2. Technology diffusion in developing countries: an analysis of coal power
plant in India
2.1 Introduction
Technology diffusion of low-carbon technologies is one key measure forCO2 emission reductions, and it is important to investigate concrete measures
particularly for early CO2 emission reductions. In this section, we focus on Indiancoal power plants and indicate the CO 2 emission reduction potential ofhigh-standard operation and maintenance (O&M) technologies.
2.2 Thermal efficiency of Indian coal power plant
Before we focus on CO2 emission reduction potential, we investigate thecurrent state of Indian coal power plants. The collected data covers 74 power stations (68.5 GW), which accounts for 83% of installed coal power capacity in India.
Figure 4 shows net thermal efficiency by station1) 2). The horizontal axis indicatesthe commission year of power station.
There are various types of power producers, such as national owned,
state owned, and private owned stations. In Figure 4, NTPC is the largest (national owned) company in India, and NLC (national owned) operates brown coal
power stations. Figure 4 reveals that recent stations have higher thermal efficiency compared to aged stations, and NTPC has more efficient power stations compared to other producers.
We also conducted a multiple linear regression analysis. The regression
analysis indicates that (1) larger capacity of power stations have higher thermal
efficiency, (2) newer stations have higher thermal efficiency, (3) higher capacity
factor of power stations have higher thermal efficiency, and (4) NTPC and private
owned stations are higher by 1.2% point compared to other stations2).

Figure 4 : Thermal efficiency of Indian coal power station during the period from FY2007–
FY20091) 2)

In order to improve the thermal efficiencies of existing coal power stations,diffusing high-standard operation and maintenance (O&M) technologies are im-23

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

portant. Concrete measures can be (1) efficient soot blowers inside the boiler, (2)burning optimization (decreasing of unburnt combustible content, NOx reducing),(3) plant operation optimization (main steam temperature / pressure stabilization).
2.3 Particulate matter (PM) concentration of exhaust gas from Indian coal
power plant
CO2 emission reductions are basically a long-term global concern; however, PM reductions are receiving attention as a local need. high-standard operationand maintenance (O&M) technologies could have a synergy effect on PM reductions. We investigate PM concentration of exhaust gas from Indian coal power
plant (Figure 5) 3). The Air Act 1981 set the upper limit to 150 mg/Nm3 for coal
power plant with a capacity over 210 MW. Most stations comply with the standard
value of PM concentration (less than 150 mg/Nm3); however, some stations report PM concentration exceeding the limit.
High-standard O&M technologies could reduce the PM concentration from
Indian coal power plant 2). Japanese PM concentration reported is below 10 mg/
Nm3. Concrete measures can be electrostatic precipitator improvement (capacity
expansion, operating time expansion, dust collection efficiency improvement
through practical effort against high resistivity of fly ash).

Figure 5 : PM concentration of exhaust gas from Indian coal power station during the period from
FY2007–FY20092) 3)

2.4 CO2 emission reduction potentials from Indian coal power station
We assessed the improvement potential for thermal efficiency, capacity
factor, PM concentration of exhaust gas, using a method named directional distance function that is used in environmental economics. This method explicitly
considers the difference of given condition (commission year, capacity of power
station) by station. The results indicate that net thermal efficiency could improvefrom 30.1% to 32.6%. This corresponds to a 36 million tCO2/yr emission reduction, which accounts for 7.5% of the CO2 emissions2).

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2.5 Summary
High-standard operation and maintenance (O&M) technologies could improve thermal efficiency of Indian coal power stations from 30.1% to 32.6%. This
corresponds to a 36 million tCO2/yr emission reduction. High-standard O&M technologies could also have synergies with PM emission reductions. In addition to
new construction of state-of-the-art power plant, we conclude that high-standard
O&M technology diffusion is of key importance.
References
1) Ministry of Power, Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT), (2012)2) J. Oda, K. Akimoto, M. Nagashima, Analysis of Coal Power Plant Performance by Station in India,
36(6), pp.17-26, (2015)
3) Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Performance Review of Thermal Power Station 201112, (2014)

3. Evaluations on hydrogen systems as one of the innovative technologies
3.1 Introduction
A drastic reform of Japan’s energy policy is required in order to overcome
the challenges the country has faced since the Great East Japan Earthquake andthe Fukushima nuclear accident. As stated in Japan’s energy strategic plan1), hydrogen is expected to be an important upcoming technology: “As for future secondary energy, hydrogen is expected to play the central role, as well as electricity
and heat”.
This section presents an assessment of hydrogen systems development
under long-term CO2 emission reduction scenarios by using the global energy
systems model DNE21+ developed by the Systems Analysis Group.
3.2 Assumptions of hydrogen systems for model analysis
Regarding hydrogen production technologies, DNE21+ model considers
coal gasification, natural gas reforming, biomass gasification, and water electrolysis in a bottom-up fashion (capital cost, energy efficiency, and lifetimes of technologies are modeled). Application of CCS (CO2 capture and storage) is also
considered for coal gasification, natural gas reforming, and biomass gasification.
However, conventional byproduct hydrogen in the industrial sector (e.g., oil refinery, iron and steel sector) is not explicitly considered.
Pipeline and tanker with liquefied hydrogen are assumed as the two transportation technologies for hydrogen among regions (the world is divided into 54
regions in the DNE21+ model). For hydrogen distribution within the regions, several technologies (e.g., tank lorry, pipeline) are likely to be mixed according to
distribution of hydrogen supply and demand, etc. However, in this analysis, since
DNE21+ model does not consider the distribution of hydrogen supply and demand, such technology options mix for hydrogen distribution within regions are
not explicitly evaluated.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

Hydrogen power generation, hydrogen reduction ironmaking, and fuel cellvehicle are explicitly modeled as hydrogen-use technologies. In addition, the substitution options of hydrogen are considered for natural gas supply with top-down
fashion (e.g., heat demand in commercial and industrial sector).
For fuel cell vehicle, two vehicle price cases are assumed as shown in Table 2. In the standard case, although fuel cell vehicle price decreases over time, it
is still higher than that of battery electric vehicle even in 2050. In the advanced
FCV case, the prices of fuel cell vehicle and battery electric vehicle are assumed
to be the same in 2050. The assumed prices of fuel cell vehicle from previous
studies2) are usually higher than that of battery electric vehicle in the standard
case of this study. Therefore, the advanced FCV case is considered as the case
expecting high technological progress for the fuel cell vehicle.
Table 2 : Assumed vehicle price and vehicle efficiency for small passenger cars
(2020-2030-2050)
Technology*1Internal combustion engine vehicle (Low Eff.)
Internal combustion engine vehicle (High Eff.)*1
Hybrid electric vehicle*1
Plug in hybrid electric vehicle*1
Battery electric vehicle
Fuel cell vehicle

Vehicle price[Ten thousand JPY/vehicle]
170-170-170
200-200-200
227-224-203
328-307-209
584-439-220
Standard case:862-602-233
Advanced FCV case:585-430-220

Vehicle efficiency[km/L-gasoline eq.]13.0-13.5-14.1
23.8-24.8-25.8
33.7-38.2-42.2
53.5-60.6-82.9
73.0-78.7-96.1
44.6-50.5-61.7*1 Assumptions for gasoline engine vehicle

3.3 Evaluations on hydrogen systems by using the DNE21+ model
DNE21+ model assesses CO2 emission reduction measures until 2050 for
several emission reduction levels. In the model evaluation, emission reduction isestimated for each region and sector by minimizing world total emission reduction
costs. The above mentioned hydrogen-use technologies are cost-efficient emission reduction measures under 550 ppm CO2eq levels (which corresponds to an
estimated CO2 marginal abatement cost of 150 $/tCO2 in 2050).
As hydrogen is mostly produced from fossil fuels (coal and natural gas)with CCS, regions with large potentials of fossil fuels and CO2 storage, such as
the Middle East, Russia, and the United States, are evaluated as important hydrogen producers.
Under 550 ppm CO2eq levels, hydrogen power generation is cost-efficientin the countries without cost efficient potential in other competitive power generation technologies for CO2 emission reduction (e.g., CCS for fossil-fueled power
plant is difficult in countries with little CO2 storage potential). The evaluated world
total hydrogen power generation in 2050 is about 900 TWh/yr (Share in electricity
generation: 2%) in ALPS-CP3.0 (+2 °C target is expected to be achieved in this
scenario. The estimated CO2 marginal abatement cost is 400 $/tCO2 in 2050).
Other available hydrogen-use technologies are not cost-efficient emission
reduction measures under 550 ppm CO2eq levels, but they are cost-efficient in
ALPS-CP3.0. The estimated world total hydrogen consumption in 2050 is about26

■ R&D Activities ■ Systems Analysis GroupRITE Today 2016

25 EJ/yr (share in final energy consumption: 5%). As shown in Figure 6, fuel cellvehicle is not cost-efficient in the standard case, because battery electric vehicle
and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle have more favorable costs. However, fuel cellvehicle has advantages in the advanced FCV case, resulting in 100 million fuelcell vehicles being used worldwide.

Figure 6 : Passenger cars in use by technology (world total)

3.4 Conclusion
Hydrogen systems are expected to play an important role to achieve deep
CO2 emission reduction. R&D on hydrogen systems and construction of hydrogen
infrastructures from a longer-term perspective will be important for the diffusion ofhydrogen system.
References
1) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, “Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan”, (2014)
2) IEA, “Energy Technology Perspective 2012”, (2012)27

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group【Key members】
Akemi Sasaki,
Deputy Group Leader, Associate Chief Researcher

Naoto Kato, Senior Researcher

Ken-ichi Inatomi, Associate Chief Researcher

Takahisa Kogure, Senior Researcher

Haruhiko Teramoto, Associate Chief Researcher
Toru Jojima, Associate Chief Researcher
Kazumi Hiraga, Associate Chief Researcher
Takanobu Watanabe, Senior Researcher
Yuya Tanaka, Senior Researcher

Masayuki Inui
Acting Group Leader

Akira Watanabe, Senior Researcher
Hiroshi Kosugi, Senior Researcher
Takeshi Kubota, Researcher
Shinichi Oide, Researcher
Naoki Saruya, Researcher

Masako Suda, Senior Researcher
Yukihiro Kitade, Senior Researcher
Koichi Toyoda, Senior Researcher

Satoshi Hasegawa, Senior Researcher

Ryoma Hashimoto, Researcher
Junya Ishida, Researcher

Global Biorefinery Trends and Research
Overview of the Molecular Microbiology andBiotechnology Group
1. Introduction
A major focus of our research is on development of technologies to
produce biofuels and green chemicals from non-food biomass (Fig. 1). In thissection, we provide an overview of global biofuel and green chemical production.

Fig. 1 : Concept of Biorefinery

Biofuels
Biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel are fuels produced from biomass
through biological processes, and their global production and consumption havebeen increasing. In 2014, 24.6 billion gallons (94 million KL) of bioethanol and7.9 billion gallons (30 million KL) of biodiesel were produced in the world. Over
80% of global bioethanol is produced in the U.S. and Brazil, while a large volume
of biodiesel is consumed in Europe. As the negative impact of biofuels on food28

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016supply has been pointed out during the past several years, intense efforts arebeing made for development and commercialization of technologies to produce
these biofuels from non-food biomass.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been putting effort
into promoting the use of biofuels, and set a target for the 2016 annual biofuel
consumption of 18.1 billion gallons, of which the second generation biofuel
cellulosic bioethanol accounts for 0.23 billion gallons. Cellulosic biofuels areproduced from agricultural wastes such as corn stover, and their production
does not affect food supply. They are more promising alternative for petroleumbased fuels than the food-based biofules, as they can reduce carbon dioxide
emissions from agricultural waste burning as well as fuel consumption. In the U.S.,
Brazil, and Europe, large-scale commercial plants that produce over 100,000
KL cellulosic ethanol per year are in operation, and DuPont started running theworld’s largest commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in Iowa last November.
Green chemicals
Like the biofuel market, the market for green chemicals including
biomaterials and biopolymers is expanding in the world. According to an estimate
by a German private company, annual bioplastics production is expected to hit 17
million tons per year, more than triple the current production level, and accountfor 4% of the plastics produced in the world by 2020.
In addition to the conventional green chemicals such as poly lactic
acid and poly amber, commercial use of bio-polyethylene terephthalate (BioPET) and bio-polyethylene (Bio-PE) is expanding. Bioplastics with improved
physicochemical properties are also in use now. For examples, heat-resistantpoly lactic acid is used to produce textile fibers and films, and high-impact
polyamide with enhanced chemical resistance is used for automobile parts.
The current status of bioplastic production from non-food biomass is similar tothat of cellulosic ethanol production. Intense efforts are being made to develop
technologies to mass-produce bioplastics from non-food biomass at a reasonablecost.
2. Feature of RITE Bioprocess (Growth-Arrested Bioprocess)
RITE has developed an efficient biomass utilization technology basedon an inherent feature of Corynebacterium glutamicum, namely, it retains
major metabolic pathways active while its growth is arrested under anaerobic
conditions. "RITE Bioprocess", the growth-arrested bioprocess we developed has
so far enabled cost-efficient production of biofuels and green chemicals, and we
gained global recognition for our achievement.

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Fig. 2 : Features of RITE Bioprocess

In RITE Bioprocess, cells of a C. glutamicum strain engineered to havean optimal metabolic pathway for a particular target chemical are grown on alarge scale, packed to very high densities in a reactor, and allowed to produce
the target metabolite under anaerobic conditions (Fig. 2). The key of our process
is the unique property of C. glutamicum mentioned above. Bioconversion offeedstocks to target products proceeds without microbial cell growth, achieving
higher efficiency and productivity compared to conventional fermentative
processes, in which formation of products and biomass inevitably occurs inparallel. Metabolic engineering enabled our microbial catalyst to utilize C6 &C5 sugars simultaneously, and we found that C. glutamicum is highly tolerant
to fermentation inhibitors included in cellulosic hydrolysates such as furans,
demonstrating that RITE Bioprocess is compatible with cellulosic non-foodbiomass (see RITE Today 2013-2014).
Through RITE Bioprocess, we have achieved production of ethanol, lactic
acids, and various amino acids with remarkably high yields. We are currently
applying the technology to microbial production of butanol, biojet fuels, andaromatic compounds like phenol. In the following sections, we describe recent
progress in our research on biofuels and green chemicals production.
3. Development of biofuels production technologies
3.1 Biobutanol
Technologies to produce butanol from biomass, especially from nonfood cellulosic biomass, have attracted growing attentions recently. Butanol isa more suitable for gasoline additive than ethanol due to its physicochemical
properties (Table 1), and it can be a starting material for biojet fuel production via
conventional chemical reactions. A downside of butanol is its strong cytotoxicity
to microbial biocatalysts, and it is this cytotoxicity that hampers progress indevelopment of cellulosic butanol production technologies.

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Table 1 : Comparison of butanol with ethanol as a gasoline additive

Using a transgenic strain metabolically optimized for butanol production,
biobutanol productivity comparable to the world’s highest standards has been
attained through RITE Bioprocess (see RITE today 2014-2015). In 2015, welaunched a new research project on cellulosic butanol production, which isfunded by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) (See Topics). One of
the major goals of the project is to further improve cellulosic butanol productivityof our process by ameliorating the microbial biocatalyst with cutting-edge
breeding technologies. The other goal is to establish a bioprocess to convert
cellulosic hydrolysates derived from non-food biomass to butanol with economy
and efficiency, collaborating with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory(NREL) expert at lignocellulose saccharification.
3.2 100% Green jet fuelPetroleum-based jet fuels are mixtures of hydrocarbons, consisting mainlyof cyclic and branched acyclic saturated hydrocarbons with 10-15 carbon atoms
and aromatic compounds. All these hydrocarbons are necessary to possess
physical properties favorable for aviation fuels such as low freezing and flash
points. In contrast to the petroleum-based fuels, fuels produced from biomasslack aromatic compounds, and thus biojet fuels currently in use are a blend of
petroleum-based fuels and biofuels, of which the latter constitutes at most 50% of
the total. With funding from New Energy and Industrial Technology Development
Organization (NEDO), we have been working on development of a technology
to produce all different types of hydrocarbons required for jet fuels, including
aromatic compounds, from biomass. The goal of the project is to establish a
100% biojet fuel production process (Table 2, and see Topics of RITE Today2015).
Our strategy is to confer the ability to catalyze a reaction that has neverbeen observed in microbes to our microbial workforce by functionally expressingorganocatalysts in its cells. The microbe equipped with organocatalysts is able
to generate an array of hydrocarbons, and it is possible to develop a 100% biojet
fuel production process using this “hybrid” microbe. In contrast to the biofuels
generated with the existing technologies, polymerization and isomerization of
fermentative products are unnecessary for the biojet fuel produced throughthis bioprocess. Therefore, our process is superior to the other processes interms of manufacturing cost (Table 2). We think that our strategy is applicableto production of diverse chemicals whose production through a bioprocess has

31

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016never been achieved. We are currently putting effort into improving productivity ofour process to speed up industrialization of this technology.
Table 2 : Comparison of various biojet fuels production technologies

3.3 Biohydrogen
Hydrogen is considered as the ultimate clean energy because its
combustion with oxygen generates only water. The existing hydrogen production
technology, however, relies on fossil resources and emits CO 2 during thehydrogen production process, making hydrogen less attractive as an alternativefor fossil fuels. Microbes can produce hydrogen without generating CO 2, anddevelopment of a bioprocess for hydrogen production has long been anticipated.
Despite the intense efforts made by a number of research groups around theworld, attempts to establish a cost-efficient biohydrogen production process are
so far unsuccessful, due mainly to insufficient productivity.
In collaboration with SHARP Corporation, our group has developed anovel biohydrogen production process using a facultatively anaerobic bacterium
Escherichia coli. In our process, a recombinant E. coli strainstrongly expressing a hydrogen-producing enzyme complex is
exploited as a whole cell catalyst, and bioconversion of formate tohydrogen proceeds in a reactor densely packed with the microbial
catalyst (Fig. 3). The process is unique in the sense that hydrogenproduction proceeds independently of cell growth. Consequently, thevolumetric hydrogen production rate (300L H2/L·hr) achieved by thisprocess is two orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional
fermentation processes. Collaborating with NREL, we are starting a
new research project, which is funded by METI, on development ofa biohydrogen production process from non-food cellulosic biomass.
In this project, we optimize the microbial catalyst for hydrogen
Fig. 3 : High-density microbial cell catalyst for
high-speed production of H2

32

production through genetic engineering, aiming at improvement inhydrogen productivity from non-food biomass (See Topics).

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016

4. Development of green chemicals production technology
4.1 Biomass-derived phenol
Phenol currently generated from fossil resources has been widely usedas raw materials for phenol resins, polycarbonates, and so on. Replacing thepetroleum-based phenol with that produced from renewable biomass can greatly
reduce CO2 emission. According to an estimate, it is possible to reduce 26 million
metric tons of CO2 emission in the world and 2.6 million metric tons of CO2
emission in Japan in 2030 by producing 50% of phenol from biomass (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4 : Impact of biomass-derived phenol on CO2 emissions.

Due to its strong cytotoxicity, however, microbial production of phenol has
been considered difficult. To overcome the hurdle, we developed a two-stage
bioprocess for phenol production (Fig. 5). In the first stage, 4-hydroxybenzoate(4-HBA), a precursor of phenol, is generated through RITE Bioprocess. 4-HBA
is subsequently converted to phenol by a single step reaction catalyzed by the
microbial whole cell catalyst. Rationaleof the strategy is our finding that 4-HBA
is approximately 10-fold less toxic to
our microbial workforce. Our processachieved higher phenol titers comparedto the published data, demonstrating theadvantage of the two-stage bioprocess
over conventional fermentation processes.
We propose that the strategy is applicableto production of other toxic chemicals of
industrial importance.
Fig. 5 : Phenol production by the two-stage bioprocess33

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016

4.2 Aromatic compounds
Aromatic compounds have been used as raw materials for a wide variety
of products including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, cosmetics, flavors,
flagrance, and fuels. In microbial cells, aromatic compounds are produced
mainly through the shikimate pathway, and over 30 reactions are involved in theirbiosynthesis from glucose. This pathway complexity, along with their cytotoxicity,
creates a hurdle for development of a cost-efficient bioprocess for aromaticcompounds production.
Nevertheless, we succeeded in achieving high productivities of various
aromatic compounds through RITE Bioprocess. Combining forefront genetic andmetabolic engineering technologies, we are currently trying hard to ameliorate themicrobial catalysts in order to further improve our bioprocess (see RITE Today2015).
We have received recognition for our achievement from different privatecompanies, and are planning to launch collaborative research projects with someof them, aiming at commercialization of our bioprocess.
5. Towards industrialization of our technologies
5.1 Cellulosic ethanol“Simultaneous utilization of C6 and C5 mixed sugars” and “tolerance tofermentation inhibitors derived from lignocellulose” are the two major challenges
for processing non-food biomass to target products. Under the laboratory
condition, our ethanol- producing bioprocess succeeded in overcoming thesechallenges (Fig. 6), and we have started working
towards industrialization of the technology. In
2011, we established a venture capital firm, Green
Earth Institute Co., Ltd. (GEI) to commercialize
the bioprocess for cellulosic ethanol production.
Studies to scale up the bioprocess are in progress
at GEI’s research institute (Green Earth ResearchCenter) in Kisarazu, Chiba prefecture. GEI isactively searching for partnership opportunities with
Fig. 6 : Metabolic engineering of C. glutamicum for ethanol production

domestic as well as foreign private companies, inorder to expand its business internationally.

5.2 Biomass-derived phenol
In 2014, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. and RITE established Green Phenol
Development Co., Ltd to accelerate industrialization of our biomass-derived
phenol producing technology (see RITE Today 2015). We set up a target ofstarting commercial mass production of phenol by 2018.
With the financial supports from NEDO, we started scale-up studies of ourbioprocess from 2014, and were able to demonstrate that the two-stage phenol34

■ R&D Activities ■ Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology GroupRITE Today 2016

production process is applicable to a 500-liter pilot plant scale (Fig. 7). The next
hurdle is to integrate the phenol production process with concentration andpurification processes at the pilot plant scale. To work on this, we started a new
project funded by NEDO. The goal of the project is to establish a manufacturing
process, through which pure phenol is produced from non-food biomass.

Fig. 7 : Pilot plant for biomass-derived phenol production

6. Closing remarks
Crude oil prices keep declining and hit $35 per barrel, the lowest pricesince 2008, in last December. Decline in oil prices is expected to continue,
because of the end of the 40-year-old ban on U.S. crude oil exports. The
bioethanol price also dropped last year due most likely to low oil prices (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8 : U.S. bioethanol price (2005-2015)

Nonetheless, the U.S. bioethanol production in 2015 was estimated to be
15 billion gallons equivalent to that of the preceding year, indicating the limited
influence of crude oil prices on the biofuels market.
Our group continues to put effort into developing technologies to produce
the next generation biofuels including cellulosic ethanol, butanol, hydrogen, andbiojet fuels. We also move forward with industrialization of our technologies likethe two-stage bioprocess for phenol production. Through our research activities,
we would like to contribute to environmental protection and establishing anenergy- and carbon-efficient society.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

Chemical Research Group【Key members】

Shin-ich Nakao
Group Leader

Yoshinobu Sato,
Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Naotsugu Ito, Chief Researcher
Ryoichi Nishida, Chief Researcher
Takayuki Higashii, Chief Researcher
Katsunori Yogo,
Associate Chief Researcher
Shigenobu Okajima, Senior Researcher
Teruhiko Kai, Senior Researcher
Tsuguhiro Kato, Senior Researcher
Kazuya Goto, Senior Researcher

Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Senior Researcher
Satoshi Mikami, Senior Researcher
Hidenao Yamada, Senior Researcher
Shin Yamamoto, Senior Researcher
Fuminori Ito, Researcher
Kouji Kida, Researcher
Shuhong Duan, Researcher
Ryohei Numaguchi, Researcher
Junpei Fujiki, Researcher
Emi Matsuyama, 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
CO 2 capture and storage (CCS) involves the trapping of CO 2 (agreenhouse gas) from emissions generated during fossil fuel combustion
by sources such as electric power plants and factories, and the subsequent
sequestration of the captured CO2 in geological formations. At present, the costs
associated with capturing CO2 from emission sources are estimated to accountfor approximately 60% of overall 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 andadsorption methods. This work has involved the development of new materials
and processing methods as well as investigations on capture systems. Thesestudies have thus far generated significant outcomes and assisted in the progressof 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 released 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 the fallof 2014.
Molecular gate membrane modules are also being developed to selectively
capture CO2 from H2-containing pressurized gases, such as those generated in
the integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC), with a CO2 capture cost
target of 1500 JPY/t-CO2.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

We have developed dendrimer/polymer hybrid membranes that show
excellent CO 2/H2 separation performance. RITE, together with three privatecompanies, has established a joint research association to develop thesemembranes along with membrane modules and separation systems for practicalapplications. Recently, we succeeded in achieving the project’s targets underhigh-pressure conditions of 2.4 MPa using laboratory-scale membranes
composed of modified materials. We plan to develop the membrane module
system by examining the separation performance and robustness of themembrane modules in field tests.
Using our technologies, including the developed RITE-solvents, we arealso investigating solid sorbents for CO2 capture to efficiently reduce energy
consumption. We are currently examining the synthesis of novel solid sorbents
capable of achieving 1.5 GJ/t-CO2 for regeneration energy. We have successfully
developed a RITE-solvent-based solid sorbent that can be regenerated at low
temperatures. Its evaluation for practical use is now underway in collaboration
with a private company.
Recently, there has been a significant emphasis on 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 response to this requirement, our group is developing silica and zeolite
membranes for the processing of methylcyclohexane, as well as a palladium
membrane for use with ammonia. Moreover, membrane reactors incorporatingthese membranes are also under development and steady gains are being made.
As noted above, our aim is to promote innovative CO 2 capture
technologies as well as other new processes to reduce CO2, thereby laying thefoundations for next generation technologies while developing practical processes
that are acceptable to industry.
2. Development of CO2 capture technology using chemical absorption
systems
CO2 capture by chemical absorption is a prospective technology for CO2
separation from CO2-containing gas, in which CO 2 is absorbed in an aminebased solution and dissociated with thermal energy. Over the last decade, wehave developed highly efficient CO2 absorbents capable of reducing the energy
consumption associated with CO2 separation.
During the project ″COURSE 50, Step 1″, we achieved the target energy
consumption rate for CO2 capture of 2.0 GJ/t-CO2 with a CO2 regeneration processtemperature of less than 100 °C (Figs. 1, 2). One of the developed absorbents
with the highest performance was selected for application in a commercial plant
owned by a private Japanese company, operational in the fall of 2014.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

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

We have been conducting the project ″COURSE 50, Step
2″ since 2013, in which higher performance chemical absorbents
are being developed.
Additionally, we have advanced the development ofchemical absorbents for CO2-containing high-pressure gaseswith excellent CO2 absorption and dissociation performances.
The purpose of this study has been the development ofhighly efficient absorbents that enable CO2 dissociation while
maintaining the high CO2 partial-pressure of the CO2-containing
gas, called “High-Pressure Regenerable Absorbents”. With
these novel absorbents, the energy consumption for the CO2compression process after the capture is significantly reduced
owing to the high-pressure of the captured CO2.
Fig. 2 : Photographic images of a technology
demonstration plant

The novel solvents developed previously exhibit high CO2
recovery and excellent CO2 absorption and desorption rates withrelatively low reaction-heat under the high-pressure conditions above 1 MPa (Fig.
3). The total energy consumption rate using this process for CO2 separation andcapture, including the energy required for compression, has been estimated to beless than 1.1 GJ/t-CO2.

38

Fig. 3 : CO2 pressure-solubility relationships of ″High-Pressure Regenerable Absorbents″

■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

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 thecurrent emission levels by 2050. One promising means of reducing CO 2
emissions is the development of a joint integrated coal gasification combined
cycle (IGCC) with CO2 capture by CO2 selective membranes (Fig. 4). Our group is
currently developing molecular gate membrane modules that effectively separate
CO2 during the IGCC process.

Fig. 4 : Schematic of the IGCC process with CO2 capture by CO2 selective membranes

Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the working principles of amolecular gate membrane (dendrimer/polymer hybrid membrane). Unlike
conventional CO 2 selective membranes, molecular gate membranes show
exceptionally high CO2 separation over H2. In the molecular gate membrane, CO2
reacts with amino groups to form either carbamate or bicarbonate, which acts asa gate to block the passage of H2. Consequently, the amount of H2 diffusing to theother side of the membrane is greatly reduced and high concentrations of CO2
can be obtained.

Fig. 5 : Schematic of conventional CO2 separation membranes and CO2 molecular gate membrane

Our group has developed new types of dendrimer/polymer hybrid
membranes that show excellent CO2/H2 separation performance in the separation39

■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016of CO2/H2 gas mixtures.
Based on these materials, RITE, Kuraray Co., Ltd., Nitto Denko
Corporation and Nippon Steel & Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. have establishedthe Molecular Gate Membrane module Technology Research Association
for the purpose of researching new membranes, membrane modules andseparation systems (Fig. 6). Recently, we succeeded in improving the separation
performance of such membranes through the modification of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)-based materials, and the target CO2 separation performance was obtained
under high-pressure conditions of 2.4 MPa using laboratory-scale membranes(Fig. 7). We plan to develop the membrane module system further by examining
the separation performance and robustness of membrane modules in field tests.

Fig. 6 : CO2 molecular gate membranes and membrane modules

Fig. 7 : Separation performance of CO2 molecular gate membranes(Feed gas pressure: 0.1~2.4MPa)(Membrane area: 1.2cm2 (Membrane1), 58cm2 (Membrane2))

The development of these CO 2 molecular gate membrane modules
is being performed under a project recognized by the Carbon Sequestration40

■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

Leadership Forum (CSLF), a ministerial-level international climate change
initiative focused on the development of improved, cost-effective technologies forthe separation and capture of CO2 for transport and long-term safe storage.
4. Advanced development of CO2 capture by solid sorbents
Solid sorbents prepared from amines and porous supports exhibit similar
CO2 sorption characteristics to those of liquid amine solvents. Additionally, solid
sorbents have the advantage of a lower expected heat duty for regeneration
processes. The relationship between amine structures and their CO2 desorption
performances was explored by computational chemistry. Our findings led to thefabrication of a more efficient solid sorbent in terms of desorption performanceand sorption capacity (Fig. 8). RITE conducted simulation studies to accurately
estimate the energy and cost of CO2 capture from coal-fired power plants. The
CO2 capture process was modeled based on amine–CO2 chemical reactions.
The energy efficiency of a power plant with a CO2 capture system was estimatedto improve by about 2% when a solid sorbent was used instead of an advanced
liquid amine solvent.

Fig. 8 : RITE solid sorbents

Currently, we are evaluating the solid sorbent process using a lab-scale
adsorption/regeneration test apparatus. We have found that the steam desorption
process (SA-VSA: Steam-aided vacuum swing adsorption) is suitable for CO2
recovery using the RITE sorbent. The RITE sorbent recovered CO 2 with highpurity (98%) and high recovery yield (93%) from a simulated flue gas. To date,
the regeneration energy of the RITE solid sorbent has been estimated to be 1.5
GJ/t-CO2, as shown in Fig. 9.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

Fig. 9 : CO2 capture process using RITE sorbent

Based on these findings, examination of the practical use of the RITEdeveloped solid sorbent is underway. Since last year, RITE has conducted a
project (phase II) with a private company funded by the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry (METI). The research objective is to develop of a novel
solid sorbent system that is applicable to CO2 capture from coal-fired power
plants. The R&D road map of solid sorbent systems is shown in Fig. 10. Material
optimization, process evaluation and a large scale CO2 capture testing is planned
to be carried out until 2020.

Fig. 10 : R&D Road map of solid sorbent system

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

42■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

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.
In 2013, our group began a project funded by NEDO. In this work,
RITE has been collaborating with the Chiyoda Corporation to develop
membrane reactors for compact, lower-temperature H2 generation systems
using methylcyclohexane prepared using a counter-diffusion chemical vapor
deposition (CVD) apparatus. The goal of this project is to fabricate a hydrogengenerator with decentralized power for small-to-medium sized customers such ascommercial establishments and office buildings. Thus, our group is developing
single-type membrane reactors and modular hydrogen generators for thedehydration of methylcyclohexane.
At first, we confirmed that we can use an outer-catalyst type membranereactor (Fig. 11) without any protecting membrane, which efficiently supplies
enough heat to the catalyst. In dehydrogenation experiments using such singletype membrane reactors, it was confirmed that the membrane reactor can be
operated at a reaction temperature lower than those of conventional dehydration
reactions with post-separation (Fig. 12). A longer catalyst life and reduction inreaction impurities are therefore expected.

Fig. 11 : Membrane reactor for dehydrogenating MCH

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

Fig. 12 : Experimental and simulated results of dehydrogenating reaction of MCH with a packedbed reactor and a membrane reactor

We also developed a bench-scale dehydrogenating apparatus consistingof seven membrane reactors with silica membrane, the first in the world (Fig 13).
We started operating tests of this apparatus for gathering engineering data from
November 2015.

HOT OIL

Fig. 13 : Dehydrogenating reactor consists of Seven membrane reactors

Fig.13 Dehydrogenating reactor consists of Seven membrane rea
Pd membranes are also under research and development for thedehydrogenation of ammonia or steam reforming of natural gas. Our membranes,
pore-fill type Pd membranes (Fig. 14), are anticipated to greatly improve thedurability of the associated generation devices and reduce their cost, both ofwhich are presently serious challenges for Pd membranes. We have alreadyconfirmed that our Pd membranes have excellent hydrogen separation
performance and good durability. Additionally, we can expect cost reduction
because the amount of Pd used in our membrane is about one third of that usedin other membranes.

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■ R&D Activities ■ Chemical Research GroupRITE Today 2016

Fig. 14 : Pore-fill-type Pd membrane

Finally, in the COURSE 50 Step 2 project, CVD-based silica membranes
have been developed as membrane reactors that employ the water gas shift
reaction and H2 separation to allow H2 generation from blast furnace gases. We
succeeded in developing innovative silica membranes having both excellent
hydrogen separation performance and durability against water.

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■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2016

2

CO2 Storage Research Group【Key members】
Satoru Yamasaki,
Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher

Tamotsu Kiyama, Senior Researcher

Makoto Nomura, Chief Researcher

Hironobu Komaki, Senior Researcher

Ziqiu Xue, Chief Researcher
Nobuo Takasu, Associate Chief Researcher

Kenji Yamaji
Group Leader

Atsushi Ibusuki, Senior Researcher
Makoto Nishimura, Senior Researcher
Osamu Takano, Senior Researcher

Masaki Tajima, Associate Chief Researcher

Hironori Izumi, Senior Researcher

Jun Kita, Senior Researcher

Yasuhiro Okabayashi, Senior Researcher

Takahiro Nakajima, Senior Researcher

Yi Zhang, Researcher

Ryozo Tanaka, Senior Researcher

Kazuhiko Nakano, Researcher

Keisuke Uchimoto, Senior Researcher

Hyuck Park, Researcher

Michimasa Magi, Senior Researcher

Takuma Ito, Researcher

Saeko Mito, Senior Researcher

Takamichi Nakamura, Researcher

Tetsuma Toshioka, Senior Researcher

Lanlan Jiang, Researcher

Tsutomu Hashimoto, Senior Researcher

Makiko Takagishi, Research Assistant

Osamu Nishizawa, Senior Researcher

Kaoru Kanamori, Pranning Manager

Installing and Utilizing CO2 Geological Storage
Technologies on Site
1. Overview
Reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a dominant component ofgreenhouse gases (GHG), is an imminent issue to be addressed. Carbon captureand storage (CCS) is a series of technologies for separating and capturing CO2
emitted from a large-scale emission source, such as a thermal power station anda steel mill, and storing the captured CO2 geologically. CCS is considered as
one of the effective CO2 mitigation options, together with conversion efficiency
improvement, fuels switching and renewables expansion.
According to the 5th Assessment Report compiled by theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2014, scenarios where
CO2 concentrations in 2100 are set at a level of 430-480 ppm (so-called 2 degree
scenarios) are characterized by near zero annual emissions in 2100 and nearzero emissions in the power sector in 2050. In these analyses, CCS is positioned
as an important mitigation option.
In this context, Japan launched a large-scale CCS demonstration projectin Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Currently, Japan CCS Company advances drilling
works and other preparations. The demonstration project will be operational in thefiscal year of 2016 – more than 100 thousand tonnes of CO2 will be captured froma hydrogen plant in a refinery 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

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■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 20162

behavior.
RITE carries out a program of research and development on a wide rangeof safety assessment technologies for CO2 geological storage, collaboration
with international organizations and a global CCS development survey. These
activities, interconnecting with the Tomakomai demonstration project, are aimed
at commercializing safety assessment technologies for CO2 geological storageand improving public confidence in CCS.
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 enhancemethane recovery (ECBM); injection in depleted gas fields to sequestrate CO2;and injection in deep saline aquifers to store CO2. The deep saline aquifer CO2
storage site has, as shown in Fig. 1, an impermeable caprock formation (amudstone layer) with high sealing properties above the aquifer (a sandstonelayer). Thus, once injected, CO2 can be stably and safely stored for a long periodof time.

Fig. 1 : Concept of CO2 geological storage

A framework of RITE’s research works on CO2 geological storage isshown in Fig. 2: evaluating storage performance (building geological models),
analyzing CO 2 behavior in a reservoir (monitoring and numerical simulationof CO 2 behavior), and analyzing CO2 migration from a reservoir (numericalsimulation of CO2 migration and developing 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 ofJapan.

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■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2016

2

Reservoir evaluation

CO2 Migration analysis

Geological modeling

Migration scenario
Migration pathway

Heterogenous reservoir modelingCO2 behavior simulation
Groundwater flux analysis

CO2 pathway
modeling

Faults impact estimation
Well integrity

CO2 behavior analysis
Monitoring technology

・CO2 behavior monitoring by permanent OBC
・Mechanical stability estimation by optical fiber・Microseismicity at CO2 injection site in the US

CO2 migration simulation
CO2 dispersion inseawater simulation

CO2 behaviour simulation
・Geochemical reaction simulation

Leakage flux,
leakagescope

History matching

Long‐term CO2 behaviour
estimation

BPM and ISO
For storage andsafety analysis

Environmental
impact assessment
Controlled CO2
release experiment
in UK

Risk
assessment

CO2 migration analysis method

JCCS Technology
partnership

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: “development of a geological modelling methodology” and“development of a groundwater flow analysis methodology”.
The Analysis of the behavior of CO2 injected in a reservoir requires ahighly-reliable geologic modelling that takes heterogeneity into account. On theother hand, not so many geological data such as those from boring core samples
and physical logging are available because in CO2 geological storage projects
have a limited number of exploration wells from the viewpoint of avoiding leaksof stored CO2 as much as possible. To make the best use of data acquired undersuch restriction, it is required to develop a methodology to integrate various
data from boring cores, physical logging and 3D seismic surveys for geologicalmodelling. RITE conducted reservoir characterization of the Nagaoka storagesite, as a case study, and clarified its depositional environment. Building on
this analysis, we are developing a highly reliable modelling methodology byintegrating geological data, including porosity and permeability obtained fromphysical well logging and core samples, and 3D seismic data through the GDI(Geology Driven Integration) approach. We are also studying an optimal layoutof multiple wells and an optimal combination of well functions for future CO2
injection in a larger reservoir.
In the development of a methodology of groundwater flow analysis, we
assess the impacts of CO2 injection on regional groundwater flow in the case ofstoring CO2 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. It is critical in the
precise evaluation of groundwater flow to utilize not only data in literatures but
also hydrological data such as porosities and permeability acquired by taking48

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research Group2

RITE Today 2016

and analyzing core samples at the storage site and to understand the state ofgroundwater before CO2 injection.

Fig. 3 : An example of porosity distribution by an analysis of integrating geological data and 3D seismic data

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 data acquiredat the Nagaoka site, including time-lapse physical logging data, to clarify themechanisms of storing CO2 and to improve techniques to simulate long-term CO2
behavior. In addition, RITE is actively developing other technologies for the safetyof CO2 geological storage, including a methodology to assess micro-seismicity
induced by CO2 injection and fiber-optic sensing for monitoring the deformation ofgeological formations.
- Development of a methodology of evaluating microseismicity induced by CO2
injection
RITE, in co-operation with the US Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
conducted monitoring of microseismicity induced by CO 2 injection with anobservation system installed in shallow boreholes at a CO2 injection site in the
USA by FY2014. We analyzed the relation between observed microseismicity
and CO2 injection by examining monitoring data acquired so far. We also worked
on 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 CO2 injection
To evaluate the stability of geological formations during CO2 injection, it isdesired to monitor not only the deformation of the reservoir and caprock in details
but also the deformation of all other layers from the reservoir to the surface.
There is a commercialized technology for continuous measurement from thesurface to subsurface in the oil and gas development sector – a technology tomeasure temperature along a depth direction with an optic fiber (DTS: Distributed
Temperature Sensing). Building on the optic fiber sensing technology, RITE has
been developing a technology to measure the deformation (strain) of formations49

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2016

2

continuously in a depth direction.
In FY2012 and FY2013, RITE conducted a pilot test where we installed
optic fibers at the outside of the casing of a 300-meter-deep well. With theoptic fibers, we successfully measured gradual deformation of formations in
the injection zone in response to CO2 injection and changes in strain of thecasing due to a step-by-step release of a well packer (Fig. 4). In FY2014, we
conducted various tests with an 880-meter-deep well, establishing a way of
installing optic fibers in a deep well and confirming that the way of installation
realized negligible signal loss even for long-length fibers. In FY2015, we carriedout other various tests, including a monitoring of the deformation of formations
due to water pumping at near wells (Fig. 5), detection ofleak in formations and sonic survey with DAS (Distributed
Acoustic Sensing). These tests were aimed at investigating
the stability of the measurement system during long-termmonitoring, on-site capability of strain measurement andoptic fiber measurement of other than the deformation offormations.
Its future commercialization requires optic fiber
cables to have a higher strength and a higher sensitivity inorder to make it installable in deep wells. RITE has beendeveloping and improving this kind of ground burial optic
Fig. 4 : On-site Rayleigh measurement sensitivity

fiber cables.

Fig. 5 : Deformation of formations caused by a water-pumping test on 2 to 9 November- Analysis of CO2 behavior with an X-ray CT scanner and up-scaling
To evaluate long-term integrity of CO 2 injected in a deep reservoir,
it is essential to reveal the mechanisms of replacement between CO 2 andformation brine in the reservoir rock. Affected by its depositional environment,50

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 20162the characteristics of pore space such as size and continuity havevariation. By analyzing a heterogeneous core sample with an X-ray
CT scanner from the viewpoint of relation between CO2 distribution
and permeability of each of brine and CO2, it was clarified that therelative direction of CO2 flow against the heterogeneity orientationis largely influential in permeability and also that CO2 flow patternis dependent on flow rate (Fig. 6). CO2 horizontal flow and verticalmigration are dominated by minute heterogeneity and the finding willcontribute to clarification of flow mechanism in scaling-up.

Fig. 6 : Relative permeability of CO2 and brine in parallel andperpendicular directions with subtle heterogeneityorientation- CO2 behavior at Nagaoka site
RITE conducted a CO2 injection test in Nagaoka, Niigata from
July 2003 to January 2005, injecting 10,400 tonnes of CO2 into asaline aquifer at a depth of 1,100 meters. Building on the injection project, RITE
has developed methodologies for monitoring the status of CO2 underground anda simulator for predicting CO2 behavior in a reservoir. There have been a numberof overseas storage projects but it is only the Nagaoka site where the behaviorof CO2 has been monitored in detail for more than 10 years continuously after
its injection cessation. Outcomes from the monitoring, therefore, attract close
attention in the world.
In the development of methodologies for monitoring CO2 behavior, we
repeatedly carried out physical loggings, formation water sampling, and crosswell seismic tomography and evaluated CO2 distribution and its state – whether
to be in a supercritical phase or be dissolved in formation water. In FY 2015,
RITE conducted neutron, sonic, and induction loggings again and made sure that
CO2 has been stored safely by verifying that CO2 has stayed nearly at the sameplace after injection. We also made certain that CO2 dissolution into formationwater has been in progress, shifting to safer trapping.

Fig. 7 : CO2 behavior monitoring with resistivity logging at the Nagaoka site51

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research Group2

RITE Today 2016

In the development of CO2 behavior simulator, we have verified it precisely
with monitoring data acquired at the Nagaoka site. We updated the geologicalmodel through history matching with observation data and then executed a longterm prediction in 1,000 years with the highly reliable geological model. As aresult, it was confirmed that the injected CO2 will stay within a limited area of thereservoir, not migrating so farther.

Fig. 8 : Comparisons between the monitoring and the CO2 behavior simulation
results. (Left: Bottom hole Pressure, Right: CO2 saturation)

2.3 Analysis of CO2 migration from reservoir
In the case of storing CO2 in a sub-seabed reservoir, it is required tomonitor the CO2 not seeping from the reservoir to the sea from the viewpoint ofmarine environment protection. As a CO2 seepage detection if CO2 is seeped,
we propose a methodology of monitoring CO 2 dissolved in seawater: tomeasure a carbonate system in seawater (e.g. pH, total carbonic acid and total
alkalinity) and then to compare them with background data. Analyzing publicallyavailable long-term observational data in the Osaka Bay as a case study, RITE
demonstrated that anomalous values caused by seepage are detectable bymeasuring the carbonate system together with dissolved oxygen. As a next
step, RITE measured a carbonate system (CO2 partial pressure) and amount of
insolation continuously in an actual sea to grasp natural fluctuation in a carbonate
system and then examined whether anomalous values are extracted from thenatural fluctuation. The analysis implied that a carbonate system in a coastal
area can be varied significantly due to several factors, including photosynthesis
and microorganisms’ activities such as respiration and degradation but thatthe measurement of the variation of dissolved oxygen can make it possible torecognize a range of natural fluctuation in a carbonate system and to detect
anomalous values with a high accuracy.
CO2 seeped as gas bubbles can be monitored effectively with acoustic
equipment because they reflect and scatter sonic wave in seawater. We
examined the capability of side-scan sonars through trial detection of gas blowout
at an offshore natural site and of controlled release bubbles. These tests led us toa conclusion that the side scanner can detect relatively small amounts of bubbles52

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research Group2

RITE Today 2016

and quantify the volume of seepage.
RITE is developing computational models for simulations to understandin which area CO2 seeped into seawater is spread at what concentration. Since
CO2 is considered to seep from the seabed as bubbles, we are working on
incorporating in our ocean model a process where CO2 bubbles is dissolved as
moving upward in seawater. CO2 dissolved in seawater is spread by seawater
flow, which is generated by wind blowing directly above around the area andpossibly other factors, in particular, wind blowing above distant water. We are
therefore attempting to enable more accurate simulations to be performed byintegrating a wide area model capable of simulating at a scale of hundreds km
and a high-resolution narrow area model which has bubble simulation functions.

Fig. 9 : Relation between CO2 partial pressure and amount of insolation on a seabed in a coastal
area (50 m deep)

Fig. 10 : Results of a CO2 seepage diffusion simulation (The arrows show the seepage point)53

■ R&D Activities ■ CO Storage Research GroupRITE Today 20162

2. 4 C o m p i l a t i o n o f C C S B e s t P r a c t i c e M a n u a l s t o w a r d C C S
commercialization
Since the world-first CO2 geological storage project became operational
in Sleipner in the North Sea in 1996, a number of CO2 geological storage project
have been launched. With an aim to promote CCS, institutions in major countries
in North America and EU have been compiling general guidebooks, guidelines
and best practice manuals.
Foreseeing domestic and global CCS deployment in future, RITE
has been compiling “CCS Best Practice Manuals” as a technical reference
for Japanese companies to carry out CCS
Basic design (planning)
Site screening &selection

Business
partnering

Geological survey
Site characterization
Master planning

Operability
judgment

Well drilling

Exploration permit
application
Public OutreachBusiness
partnering

Public Acceptance

Injection permit application

Operation
Injection cessation & Wellplug and abandon

Baseline (Back ground) monitoring
Injection volume
measurement &verification

aspects of the CO2 injection test carried out inNagaoka, Niigata from 2003 to 2005. We have

Monitorings

best practices in the U.S. Regional Carbon
PO/PA

Information disclosure
to stakeholders

History matching

Post injection monitoring
Post closure liability
transferbeen summarizing mainly various technicalalso been collecting and sorting out overseas

Project permission
Design & Construction

projects. As best practices in Japan, we have

History matching
Project completion

Fig. 11 : CCS project flow

Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) andEurope.
We w i l l f i n a l i z e C h a p t e r 1 “ b a s i cplanning” to Chapter 4 “master planning” by theend of FY 2015. We plan to complete Chapter 5“designing and construction” to Chapter 8 “postclosure management” by FY 2020, incorporating

outcomes from the large-scale CCS demonstration project in Tomakomai.
3. Survey of Global CCS Activities and Co-operation with International
Organizations
Through co-operation with international organizations, RITE contributes toaccelerating CCS deployment and monitors CCS-related activities in the world.
Summarized below are highlights in the global CCS community in FY2015 andmajor activities in a couple of international bodies to which RITE contributes—the
IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) and the Carbon Sequestration
Leadership Forum (CSLF).
3.1 Highlights in CCS
Highlights in FY2015 include the initiation of operation in the Quest projectin November in Canada. In the project, CO2 is captured in its hydrogen production
process and is stored in a saline aquifer. The project was incentivized by publicfunding and also carbon credits equivalent to a double level of carbon tax. With
the Quest becoming operational, there are 15 large-scale CCS projects in theworld, including four saline aquifer storage projects.

54

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RITE Today 2016

In the power sector, following the Boundary Dam project, which came into
operation in October 2014 for the first time in the world, two CCS coal-fired power
projects will become operational in the USA in 2016. In addition, it has come tobe more likely that the final investment decision is to be made in 2016 for the socalled ROAD project in the Netherlands, which has been in danger of cancelation.
In the situation where expectation has been growing for operational experiences
to be increased in the power sector, the UK Government made announcement ofabandoning a one billion-pound funding to CCS fossil power plant demonstration
projects in November 2015. Since the UK has been one of the most proactive
countries to promote CCS deployment, it has brought concerns of giving adverse
impact on future deployment of CCS technology.
A highlight in regulations is CO2 emissions performance standards forfossil-fired power plants enforced in the USA. The standard for new coal-fired
power plants was set out at a level where around 20% of CO2 emissions need
to be captured. But it is widely thought that what the implementation of theregulation will promote is the construction of combined cycle gas turbines, notthat of coal-fired power plants with CCS.
3.2 IEAGHG and CSLF Update
With the year of 2015 being the 10th anniversary of the IPCC’s CCS
Special Report, IEAGHG publicized a special issue of an international journal
in September. The special issue consists of 17 papers with a focus on CCS
progress in the past 10 years, covering capture, storage, economics, bioCCS, policies and public acceptance. It concludes that science and technology
underpinning CCS has been well advanced in the 10 years and that CCS hascome to be ready for large-scale projects.
CSLF now has 25 members, welcoming Rumania and Servia as a newmember in the ministerial meeting in November. The both new members, in the
momentum of strengthening climate change countermeasures globally, havegreat expectation on CCS as a measure of making the best use of their abundant
ignite resources. In the ministerial, it was agreed to launch an international
network among large saline aquifer storage projects, which creates expectationof progress in knowledge sharing in this area. After about two year activities,
the taskforces on 2nd and 3rd generation capture technologies and offshore
CO2 storage publicized a report respectively. Information collated by the former
taskforce is supposed to be sorted out and opened on the CSLF web site. For
the latter activity, a workshop with the aim of exploring future international cooperation is slated for 2016. The new taskforce activities agreed are effective useof pore space in storage formations (improvement of storage efficiency), offshore
EOR and bio CCS.

55

■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

Research & Coordination Group
Publication of Technical Report on CO2
Capture technology(ISO/TR27912)
Toward practical applications of CCS, developments
of international standard documents on CCS have been inprogress respectively by each technology area (Capture,
Transportation, Storage, Quantification and Verification,
Cross-Cutting Issues and CO 2-EOR) under TechnicalCommittee 265 (TC265) in International Organizationfor Standardization (ISO). Among these activities, Working Group led by Japan, WG1 (capture), has developed
Technical Report, ISO/TR27912. This document has been
already approved by TC265 and in the process of publication. It will be released as the first document from TC265
in the near future.
In capture of CO2 generated by the use of fossil fuel,there are capture processes such as Post-Combustion
capture, Pre-Combustion capture and Oxyfuel combustion
mainly. Capture technologies for them such as chemical
absorption, physical absorption, adsorption, membrane
separation are well-known and actively developed. These
technologies could be applied to power and industrial areas such as power generation, iron and steel making industry, cement industry and gas production industry. The status for practical application of each technology is currently
diverse.
This TR widely covers the latest information regarding
CO2 capture technologies, equipment and processes. A
good relationship among members from related countries
has been established through discussion of the priority ofthe standardization in the process of the development of
TR prior to the development of a series of International
Standard (IS) for CO2 capture in CCS.
For the actual work of the development, a base document was first prepared by member companies of Capture
WG organized in Japan. It was drafted with experts fromeach country who joined WG1 through discussion in six
WG1 meetings since the first meeting in Beijing in September, 2013. The draft was approved through voting byparticipating countries in TC265 and now it is officially inthe process of publication by ISO central secretariat.
This TR consists of 13 chapters which covers Scope,
Terms and definitions, various CO2 capture system suchas Post-combustion capture and Pre-combustion capturein the power industry, cement, iron & steel, industrial gas
production processes, and discussion on possible future
direction for standardization. It includes comprehensive
information of capture technologies with over 200 pages.
WG1 agrees to revise this TR when needed by the development of capture technologies in the future.

56

Innovative Environmental Technology
Symposium 2015
-Toward realization of low-carbon societyThis symposium is an annual event that RITE hosts topresent our research progress and achievements to all theparties concerned. This year we were honored to invite Mr.
Mitsumata, Deputy Director-General for Technology andEnvironment, METI, who had just attended COP21, to deliver a speech on the outcomes of the conference including
the Paris Agreement. Also, Prof. Yamaji, Director-Generalof RITE, gave a keynote speech on the milestones andchallenges toward the fulfillment of Japan’s INDC, and therole of RITE as well as the importance of CCS. The latest
achievements and the future outlook of our research anddevelopment activities were introduced from each researchgroup not only by the presentations but also through theposter session, which brought an active dialogue between
the participants and the researchers.
Date
18 December 2015
Venue
Ito Hall (Tokyo)
Organized by RITE
Supported by	the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Chemical Society of Japan,
the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Japan Society of Energy
and Resources, and the Japan Institute ofEnergyThe number of participants 360
Program•	Guest speech: COP21 and the current status of theinternational negotiations on climate change		Hiroki Mitsumata, Deputy Director-General for Technology and Environment, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, METI•	Keynote speech: Future energy environment policy
and the role of RITE
		 Kenji Yamaji, Director-General•	Lecture1: Assessment of Japan’s and other countries’
efforts to mitigate GHG emissions contained in the INDCs
		 Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis Group•	Lecture2: Measures in future for deployment of CCS
		Hideaki Tsuzuku, Group Leader, Research & Coordination Group•	Coffee break, Poster session•	Lecture3: Current status and future prospects of thedevelopment of Biorefinery technology
		Masayuki Inui, Acting Group Leader, Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group•	Lecture4: Approach of the Chemical Research Group
toward low-carbon society		Shinichi Nakao, Group Leader, Chemical ResearchGroup•	L ecture5: Development of CCS safety assessment
technologies – Latest trend of overseas projects andresearches in RITE 		Ziqiu Xue, Chief Researcher, CO2 Storage ResearchGroup■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

Systems Analysis Group
ALPS International Symposium
Assessing effective initiatives to tackle
climate change —Towards COP21
The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) alerted international communities about climate change with higher confidence than previous reports. For example, it is extremely
likely that human influence has been the dominant causeof the observed warming since the mid-20th century. At
such an important time both for energy and climate policy
decisions, FY2014 ALPS International Symposium washeld to disseminate the research achievements of the project and also to present relevant lectures by speakers invited from both abroad and Japan that are eminent scholars
active in this field. The speakers pointed out that the required emission reduction efforts for achieving the target
below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels depended strongly
on the uncertainty of climate sensitivity. In addition, there
were suggestions on review methods for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) which were
expected to be discussed at the COP21. We had valuablelectures and discussions by excellent scholars.
Date
27 February 2015
Venue
Otemachi Sankei Plaza (Tokyo)
Organized by RITE
Co-organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The number of participants 212
Program•	Japanese Perspective to the Nationally Determined
Contributions for Global Climate Change Response		Kenji Yamaji, Director-General, RITE
•	Re-Examination of Emission Paths Considering Uncertainties of the Climate Sensitivity
		 Yoichi Kaya, President, RITE
•	The Road to Paris: From Global Commitments to National Pledges and Co-Benefits		 Nebojsa Nakicenovic , Deputy Director General, IIASA•	Assessment of Restrictions on Public Financing for
New Coal-Fired Power Plants Overseas
		Miyuki Nagashima, Senior Researcher, Systems Analysis Group, RITE•	Risk Management Strategy of Climate Change		Taishi Sugiyama, Senior Researcher, Central ResearchInstitute of Power Industry•	Comparability of Effort in International Climate Policy
Architecture		William A. Pizer, Professor, Duke University•	Reviewing Emission Mitigation Contributions
		Joseph E. Aldy, Harvard Kennedy School•	Evaluations on Emission Reduction Efforts of the Nationally Determined Contributions for the Post-2020
Periods
		Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Systems Analysis
Group, RITE

COP21 Side Event
New Methods for Comparing Levels ofEfforts and Evaluations of INDCs-Transparency, Policy Surveillance,and Levels of EffortA side event at COP21 in Paris was held researchstudies on the evaluations on emission reduction effortsof Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)
which were determined by each country before the COP21
were introduced and discussed. In the discussions, it waspointed out that the emission reduction efforts should bemeasured by using multiple indicators that are comparable, measurable, replicable and universal. In addition, thespeakers presented that high marginal abatement costsof the INDCs are observed for Japan and other developed
countries, but those of many developing countries arenearly zero according to the quantitative evaluations.
Date
9 December 2015
Venue
COP21 Japan Pavilion (Paris)
Organized by RITE
Collaborating research institutes
	Resources for the Future (RFF), Fondazione Eni Enrico
Mattei (FEEM)
The number of participants 45
Program•	Transparency, Policy Surveillance, and Levels of Effort:
Assessing and Comparing INDCs
		 Raymond Kopp, Senior Fellow, RFF•	Assessment and Comparison of INDCs: Effectivenessvs Fairness?
		Carlo Carraro, Professor, Ca’ Foscari University of
Venice•	RITE’s Evaluations on Emission Reduction Efforts of
the INDCs and the Expected Global Emissions
		 Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, RITE•	A Model Based Assessment of the INDCs
		 Massimo Tavoni, Deputy Coordinator, FEEM

57

■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
BioJapan 2015

Introduction of new projects

World Business Forum “BioJapan 2015” was held
at PACIFICO Yokohama on October 14-16, 2015. RITE
attended the forum as a member of the organization committee, and gave an exhibition of our works based on the
key technology RITE Bioprocess, the “growth-arrested”
bioprocess we developed. We reported about the recent
progress of our projects on aromatic green chemicals andbiofuels, including biojet fuel, biobutanol, and biohydrogen.
In collaboration with Green Phenol Development Co., Ltd.
(GPD) established by RITE and Sumitomo Bakelite Co.,
Ltd. in May 2014, we also described our plan for industrialization of the biophenol production technology.
Once again, we thank all visitors including government
officials and parties from the related industry.

As a part of Japan’s efforts to tackle global warming
and climate change, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan, set up “A program for international
joint research and development of innovative energy technology” in order to strongly encourage research institutes
in Japan to collaborate with the leading-edge research
institutes abroad, and to facilitate innovations in the field ofenergy technology.
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology group is
involved in this program and works on two projects, “Research and development of a highly efficient biohydrogenproduction process” and “Research and development ofa biobutanol production process with high carbon yieldfrom cellulosic biomass”, over the next 5 years in collaboration with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Established in 1977, NREL has been on
the cutting-edge of renewable energy technologies suchas solar energy, wind-power energy, and bio-energy. It
has a mission to facilitate commercialization of renewableenergy technologies, and therefore is proactive in supporting applied as well as fundamental studies. Since amemorandum of understanding, “Japan-US Clean Energy
Technologies Action Plan” was signed between METI andthe U.S. Department of Energy, NREL has been carryingout collaborative studies on renewable energy technologies with the research institutes in Japan. As a front runnerin the area of biomass energy technology, NREL has been
putting effort into studies on cellulosic biofuels production
technologies, and established a cellulosic biomass pretreatment and saccharification process most cost-efficientin the world.
In this collaboration, RITE and NREL work together
to establish innovative bioenergy production technologies
by integrating the strong points of each institutes, namely
RITE Bioprocess and the NREL’s biomass saccharification
technology.

RITE/GPD exhibition booth

Framework of the collaboration between RITE and NREL58

■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

CO2 Storage Research GroupCCS Technical Workshop 2015
–The current status of CCS and global
advanced projectsCCS – which captures CO2 from large emission sources and stores it in a saline aquifer – has been seen as animportant option in the reduction of CO2 emissions. To
promote CCS deployment, it is inevitable to improve thesafety of CO2 geological storage and gain public confidence. With this in mind, RITE organized the workshop,
inviting experts on leading-edge CCS demonstration projects and reporting up-to-date achievement in our safety
evaluation technology development.
Through presentations delivered by four domestic andoverseas experts, moderated by Prof. Kozo Sato (Graduate
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo), we madeuseful information dissemination and communication withaudience to foster better understanding on CCS.
Date
9 October 2015
Venue
Hotel Grand Palace (Tokyo)
Organized by RITE
Co-organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The number of participants 296
Program•	Presentation 1: World CCS: Current Status, Challenges and Future Directions
		 John Gale, General Manager, IEA GHG•	P resentation 2: Pressure Monitoring, Contingency
Planning, and Mitigation of Leakage from CO2 Storage
Projects		Sally Benson, Professor, Stanford University•	Presentation 3: Research and Development of Safety
Assessment Technology for CO2 Storage in Deep Saline Aquifer		Ziqiu Xue, Chief Researcher, CO2 storage researchgroup, RITE•	Presentation 4: The Boundary Dam Project — It’s FirstYear —		Mike Monea, President, Carbon Capture and Storage
Initiatives, SaskPower•	Wrap-up: Kozo Sato, Professor, the University of Tokyo

Won an outstanding poster award at
the Japan Society of Engineering Geology conference 2015
–Development of technology to monitor deformation of geological formations with optic fibers–
In the Japan Society of Engineering Geology conference 2015 held on 24 and 25 September, Tsutomu Hashimoto, senior researcher in RITE (seconded from Suncoh
Consultants) won an outstanding poster award for his“development of technology to monitor deformation of geological formations with optic fibers”.
RITE has been conducting research and development
on measuring the deformation of geological formations
continuously from surface to subsurface along a depth
direction with optic fibers installed as distributed sensors
outside of a well for safety assessment for CO2 geologicalstorage.
The award came together with brief remarks – The
thoughtful sequence of onsite works is plainly explained,
including creative installation of sensors to a depth of
300m and the verification of detectability of formation
deformation caused by CO 2 injection and well casing
deformation caused by increase and decrease in loads ona packer; and in addition the development is highly valued
from the viewpoint of applicability to other areas.
We will continue lab tests and onsite experiments to
put it into a practical level as a tool to monitor the stabilityof geological formations in CO2 storage projects.

59

■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

Chemical Research Group
5th Symposium for Innovative CO 2
Membrane Separation Technology
Recent trends in membrane separation
technology contributing to the prevention of global warming
The purpose of this symposium was threefold. First,
to report recent research trends in CO2 separation membrane 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.
Date
2 October 2015
Venue
Ito Hall (Tokyo)
Organized by	Molecular Gate Membrane Module (MGM)Technology Research Association
Co-organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Supported by	Japan CCS Co., Ltd., Global CCS Institute and Japan Association for Chemical
Innovation
Co-sponsors	The Membrane Society of Japan, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan, The
Society of Polymer Science, Japan and
The Chemical Society of JapanThe number of participants 242
Program•	Keynote speech: Latest trends in global warming mitigation and role of CCS		Yoichi Kaya, President, RITE
•	Keynote speech: Current status and future prospectsof polymeric membranes for gas separation
		Hiroyoshi Kawakami, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Faculty & Graduate School of Urban Environmental
Sciences•	K eynote speech: Latest trends in coal gasification
technology and IGCC
		Hiroshi Sasatsu, Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
•	Lecture: Development of CO2 molecular gate membrane modules
		Shin-ichi Nakao, Senior Managing Director of MGM
Technology Research Association•	Lecture: Latest trends of CO2 capture technologies inoverseas		Teruhiko Kai, MGM Technology Research Association

60

Participation in the second annual
meeting of the Innovation for Cool
Earth Forum (ICEF)
The second annual Innovation for Cool Earth Forum(ICEF) was held on 7th & 8th October 2015, and several researchers from RITE participated to make a presentation.
ICEF is an international conference which started in2014 with the Prime Minister Abe’s proposal in order to establish a platform to discuss the importance of addressing
climate change through innovation. It is organized by the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and New
Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and Prof. Kaya, President of RITE, acts as achairperson of the steering committee.
In this year’s meeting, Prof. Yamaji, Director-Generalof RITE, chaired the Energy Systems Session, and theresearchers from the institute delivered a presentation on
the latest achievements in each related session as follows.
Session Iron and Steel
Keigo AkimotoGroup Leader, Systems Analysis Group“Role of iron and steel sector in responding to global warning”
Session Advanced Liquid Biofuels
Masayuki Inui
Acting Group Leader,
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group“Current Trends and Emerging Technologies for Biojet Fuel
Production in Japan”
Session CCS
Shinichi Nakao
Group Leader, Chemical Research Group“CO2 Capture Technologies for cost reduction”
Session International Framework for Complementing UN
Mitsutsune Yamaguchi
Special Advisor“International/regional schemes complementing the UN”

■ Topics ■RITE Today 2016

Preparatory Office for Inorganic Membranes Research Center
Foundation of Inorganic Membranes Research Center
Inorganic Membranes Research Center will be founded as the fifth research organization of RITE in April, 2016. This research center will cope with not only research and development but also the promotion of the industrialization of innovative
energy and environmental technologies using inorganic membranes.
Expectations for inorganic membranes
Development of efficient hydrogen production, storage, and transportation methods is essential for building a“Hydrogen-based Society”. Chemical hydrides, ammonia,
and liquefied hydrogen have high potential as effective
media for these methods. Membrane reactors using inorganic membranes such as silica, zeolite, or palladium
are expected to be efficient dehydrogenating apparatus
for chemical hydrides or ammonia because they usuallyprovide greater compactness, higher efficiency, and lower
cost compared with those of existing methods.
Inorganic membranes are also expected to be used in
improved methods of separating CO2 from CO2 and CH4
mixtures, so they have received much attention as innovative energy and environmental technology.
What is the Inorganic Membranes Research Center?
Inorganic Membranes Research Center consists of the
Research Section and the Industry Cooperation Section.
The Industry Cooperation Section has company members
from both manufacturing companies and user companies
of inorganic membranes. The Research Center also hasan advisory board of leading researchers from several
universities. The Research Center will promote open innovation to produce synergistic outcomes.

Efforts of the Research Section
The Research Section will tackle innovative researchand development for constructing a ‘Hydrogen-based Society’, carbon capture, and so on. For example, the researchand development of highly efficient fuel cells or hydrogen
supplying stations with methyl-cyclohexane as fuel will be
conducted.
For CO2 separation, we intend to conduct research anddevelopment on methods of refining biogas or methods ofseparating and extracting natural gas from wells.
In addition, the Research Section will accept researchers from member companies, and the highest leveltechnologies will be transferred to them from the leading
researchers of our advisory board.
Actions of the Industrial Cooperation Section
In the Industrial Cooperation Section, various efforts
will be made toward the industrialization of inorganic membranes in cooperation with manufacturing companies anduser companies.
For example, we intend to formulate a roadmap of theindustrialization of innovative technologies based on inorganic membranes, propose and set up joint research withmember companies, and hold seminars for member companies.

ADVISORY BOARD
Leading researchers
from universities

RITE / INORGANIC MEMBRANES RESEARCH CENTER
Research Section

JAPAN FINE CERAMICS
CENTEROVERSEASRESEARCH
INSTITUTIONS

Industrial Corporation Section

MANUFACTURING
COMPANIESUSERCOMPANIES

The Council for a Strategy for the Industrialization
Framework of Inorganic Membranes Research Center and its Cooperating Partners

61

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■Directors

RITE Today 2016

Systems Analysis Group

Original Paper

Original Paper

1. Y. Kaya, M. Yamaguchi, K. Akimoto, The uncertainty of climate

1. F. Sano, K. Wada, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, Assessments of GHG

sensitivity and its implication for the Paris negotiation, Sustainability

emission reduction scenarios of different levels and different short-

Science, 10.1007/s11625-015-0339-z, 2015

term pledges through macro- and sectoral decomposition analyses,
Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.90 Part A pp.153-

Books
1. Kenji Yamaji, Issues of HLW Disposal in Japan, pp.279-287, In K.
Nakajima(ed.), Nuclear Back-end and Transmutation Technology for
Waste Disposal, Beyond the Fukushima Accident, Springer Open,2015
2. Y. Kaya, K. Yamaji, K. Akimoto, Climate Change and Energy,
Japanese Perspectives on Climate Change Mitigation Strategy, ICP
Series on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation –Vol.4, Imperial College Press, 2015
3. M. Yamaguchi and K. Akimoto, The view from different parts of
the world: A view from Japan, pp.115-129, In S. Barrett, C. Carraro
and J. de Melo(eds.), Towards a Workable and Effective Climate
Regime, CEPR Press, 2015

165, January 2015
2. K. Riahi, E. Kriegler, N. Johnson, C. Bertram, M. den Elzen, J.
Eom, M. Schaeffer, J. Edmonds, M. Isaac, V. Krey, T. Longdon, G.
Luderer, A. Méjean, D. L. McCollum, S. Mima, H. Turton, D. P. van
Vuuren, K. Wada, V. Bosetti, P. Capros, Locked into Copenhagen
pledges - Implications of short-term emissions targets for the costand feasibility of long-term climate goals, Technological Forecasting& Social Change, Vol.90 Part A pp.8-23, January 2015
3. E. Kriegler, K. Riahi, N. Bauer, V. J. Schwanitz, N. Petermann, V.
Bosetti, A. Marcucci, S. Otto, L. Paroussos, S. Rao, T. Arroyo-Currás,
S. Ashina, J. Bollen, J. Eom, M. Hamdi-Cherif, T. Longden, A. Kitous,
A. Méjean, F. Sano, M. Schaeffer, Making or breaking climate
targets: The AMPERE study on staged accession scenarios forclimate policy, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.90
Part A pp.24-44, January 2015
4. E. Kriegler, N. Petermann, V. Krey, V. 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 indicators for
integrated assessment models of climate policy, Technological
Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.90 Part A pp.45-61, January 2015
5. N. Bauer, V. Bosetti, M. Hamdi-Cherif, A. Kitous, D. McCollum, A.
Méjean, S. Rao, H. Turton, L. Paroussos, S. Ashina, K. Calvin, K.
Wada, D. van Vuuren, CO 2 emission mitigation and fossil fuelmarkets: Dynamic and international aspects of climate policies,
Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.90 Part A pp.243256, January 2015
6. J. Arakawa, K. Akimoto, Assessments of the Japanese energy
efficiency standards program, Journal of Sustainable Developmentof Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Vol.3 No.1, pp.66-78,
March 2015
7. A. Hayashi, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Tomoda, Evaluation of global
energy crop production potential up to 2100 under socioeconomic
development and climate change scenarios, Journal of the Japan
Instituted of Energy, Vol.94 No.6 pp.548-554, 2015
8. E. Kriegler, K. Riahi, N. Bauer, V. J. Schwanitz, N. Peterman, V.
Bosetti, A. Marcucci, S. Otto, L. Paroussos, S, Rao-Skirbekk, T. A.
Curras, S. Ashina, J. Bollen, J. Eom, M. Hamdi-Cherif, T. Longden, A.
Kitous, F. Sano, A. Mejean, M. Schaeffer, K. Wada, P. Capros, D.
van Vuuren, O. Edenhofer, C. Bertram, R. Bibas, J. Edmonds, N.
Johnson, V. Krey, G. Luderer, D. McCollum, J. Kejun, A short note on
integrated assessment modeling approaches: Rejoinder to thereview of "Making or breaking climate targets - The AMPERE study
on staged accession scenarios for climate policy", Technological
Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.99 pp.273–276, 2015
9. K. Tokushige, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T. Homma, Analysis on
Emission Reduction Efforts of GHG Emissions in Japan for the First
Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol, Journal of Japan Societyof Energy and Resources, Vol.36 No.2, pp.1-9, 201510. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, M. Nagashima, Analysis of Coal Power Plant

62

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■Performance by Station in India, Journal of Japan Society of Energy

RITE Today 2016

Economy, and Environment, January 27, 2015

and Resources, Vol.36 No.6 pp.17-26, 2015

4. A, Hayashi, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, Global analyses on

11. K. Lessmann, U. Kornek, B Bosetti, R. Dellink, J. Emmerling, J.

conditions for bioenergy and CO2 fixation in forest to be introduced,

Eyckmans, M. Nagashima, H.P. Weikard, Z. Yang, The stability and

The 31st Conference on Energy, Economy, and Environment,

effectiveness of climate coalitions: A comparative analysis of multiple

January 28, 2015

integrated assessment models, Environmental and Resource

5. B. Shoai Tehrani, Assessment of low carbon investments in

Economics, Vol. 62 No.4 pp.811-836, December 2015

Europe: Two methodological approaches, The 31st Conference on

12. Y. Kaya, M. Yamaguchi, K. Akimoto, The uncertainty of climate

Energy, Economy, and Environment, January 28, 2015

sensitivity and its implication for the Paris negotiation, Sustainability

6. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, M. Nagashima, Analysis of coal power plant

Science, 10.1007/s11625-015-0339-z, 2015

efficiency by station in India, The 31st Conference on Energy,

13. J. Aldy, B. Pizer, K. Akimoto, Comparing emission mitigation

Economy, and Environment, January 28, 2015

efforts across the countries, Climate Policy, in press

7. K. Tokushige, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T. Homma, Analysis for reviews

14. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, T. Homma, K. Tokushige, Evaluation of theof intended nationally determined contributions addressing the post-

Japan’s greenhouse gas emission target for 2030, Journal of Japan

2020 emissions reductions, The 31st Conference on Energy,

Society of Energy and Resources, in press

Economy, and Environment, January 28, 2015,
8. K. Wada, K. Akimoto, M. Nagashima, The diversity and potentiality

Other Paperof technology transfer under UNFCCC, The 31st Conference on

1. K. Akimoto, Energy mix and climate change mitigation, Monthly

Energy, Economy, and Environment, January 28, 2015

Keidanren, May 2015

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

2. K. Akimoto, Nuclear power from the view point of climate change
issues, Online Media Politas, May 26, 2015
3. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, Analysis of long-term emission reduction
targets, Electrical Review, June 2015
4. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, International comparison of power generation
efficiency: Effects of operation and maintenance improvement,
Electrical Review, Special Summer Issue 2015
5. K. Wada, Negotiations and technology transfer under UNFCCC,
Electrical Review, July 2015
6. K. Akimoto, Estimates for the nation’s economic value of nuclear
power, Journal of Public Utility Economics, Vol.67 No.1 pp.31-33,
July 2015
7. K. Tokushige, K. Akimoto, Evaluation of the Voluntary Action Planon the environment, Electrical Review, August 2015
8. K. Akimoto, Japan’s energy mix development and efforts toward
reductions of GHG emissions, Bulletin ‘Kozan’, Vol.68 No.8, October2015
9. K. Akimoto, The government’s energy mix is reasonable as abalance of S + 3E, Weekly Economist, December 22, 2015
10. K. Akimoto, DNE21+: A global energy and climate change
mitigation model, Journal of Japan Society of Energy andResources, in press

the option values of geoengineering under uncertainties in futureclimate change, The 31st Conference on Energy, Economy, andEnvironment, January 28, 2015
10. M. Nagashima, T. Homma, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, J. Oda, T.
Tomoda, K. Wada, Assessment of U.S. restrictions on publicfinancing for new coal-fired power plants overseas and proposed
regulation, The 31st Conference on Energy, Economy, andEnvironment, January 28, 2015
11. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, H. Torii, J. Oda, B. Shoai Tehrani, A scenario
developing of introduction of hydrogen system by using a worldenergy systems model, The 31st Conference on Energy, Economy,and Environment, January 28, 2015
12. K. Akimoto, RITE’s analyses and assessments of energy mix
and climate change targets, Society for Environmental Economics
and Policy Studies 20th Anniversary Symposium, Meiji University,
May 8, 2015
13. Y. Arino, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, J. Oda, T. Tomoda, An
analysis on the option values of geoengineering under uncertainties
in climate change, 21st Annual Conference of the European
Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, Helsinki,
Finland, June 25, 2015
14. T. Homma, K. Akimoto, The economic impacts of climate policies
under the shared socioeconomic pathways, 18th Annual Conference
on Global Economic Analysis, Melbourne Convention Center,

Oral Presentation

Melbourne, Australia, Jun. 17-19, 2015

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

15. K. Wada, Scaling up technology transfer through the UNFCCC

under the voluntary action plan in Japan , Technical Workshop on

Technology Mechanism, Our Common Future under Climate Change

Policy Approaches for Industrial Sector in the Climate-Energy(CFCC) Conference, Paris France, July 30, 2015

Interface, France, January 16, 201516. B. Shoai Tehrani, K. Akimoto, Measuring the impacts of climate

2. K. Akimoto, J. Oda, F. Sano, Electricity generation costs bychange on human well-being through life quality index, The Fifthsource, and costs and benefits by substitutions of generation

Congress of the East Asian Association of Environmental andsources, The 31st Conference on Energy, Economy, andResource Economics, Taipei, Taiwan, August 18, 2015

Environment, January 27, 2015

17. K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, K. Tokushige, Evaluations of

3. T. Homma, K. Akimoto, Economic impacts of electricity priceJapan's INDCs from the viewpoint of equity among countries and ofincreases on industry by region, The 31st Conference on Energy,

long-term emission pathways, Society for Environmental Economics

63

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■RITE Today 2016

Systems Analysis Groupand Policy Studies 20th Annual Meeting, September 18, 2015

The Fourth Case Study Meeting, Green Forum 21, March 23, 201518. J. Oda, K. Akimoto, Analysis of global average energy efficiency

15. K. Akimoto, Electricity generation costs by source, focusing onin power and steel sectors, Society for Environmental Economics

nuclear power cost, The 8th Exchange Meeting of Mass Media,

and Policy Studies 20th Annual Meeting, September 18, 2015

Atomic Energy Society of Japan, March 30, 2015

19. K. Wada, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, Economics of energy efficiency

16. Y. Arino, K. Akimoto, F. Sano, T. Homma, J. Oda, T. Tomoda,

for mitigating CO2 emissions, Society for Environmental Economics

Estimating the option value of solar radiation management underand Policy Studies 20th Annual Meeting, September 20, 2015

uncertain climate sensitivity, Ireland-Japan International Energy

20. F. Sano, K. Akimoto, T. Homma, K. Tokushige, B. Shoai Tehrani,

Modeling Workshop, April 16, 2015

Evaluation on the Japan's INDC in comparison with other nations',

17. K. Akimoto, Estimate for electricity generation costs by source,

and in the context of achieving 2℃ target, Eighth Annual Meeting of

Research Commission for the Nuclear Energy Policy and Supply

the IAMC 2015, Potsdam, Germany, November 16, 2015

and Demand, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, April 23, 2015
18. K. Akimoto, Part III, Model analysis for climate change mitigation

Non Journal Publications

strategy, Climate Change and Energy, Japanese Perspective on

1. B. Shoai Tehrani, Current conditions of energy and climate

Climate Change Mitigation Strategy, Imperial College Press, Junemitigation policies in Japan & the analyses with RITE model, MILES

2015

Kick-off Meeting, France, January 15, 2015

19. K. Wada, Implications of INDCs, The 44th TESCUE Study

2. K. Wada, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, Heterogeneity of technology

Meeting, May 20, 2015

adoption in the transportation sector, ADVANCE Meeting, The

20. J. Oda, F. Sano, K. Akimoto, Analysis of diffusion of next-

Netherlands, January 22, 2015

generation cars under global CO2 emissions reduction scenarios,

3. K. Akimoto, The future of energy and environment, Regional
Energy Seminar in Hiroshima, January 30, 2015
4. K. Akimoto, Overview of Strategic Energy Plan, Workshop on
Energy Policy, Aomori Prefecture Association of Villages and Towns,
February 2, 2015
5. K. Akimoto, Electricity generation costs by source - Towards thedevelopment of the future energy mix-, Meeting for Energy Public
Relations, February 5, 2015
6. K. Akimoto, Climate change policies and trends of Japan and theworld: Challenges for COP21, Keynote Lecture, Aichi Pref.
Environment Prize Ceremony, February 19, 2015
7. K. Akimoto, The current situation and the future of electricity
supplies, Japanese Association of Metal, Machinery, andManufacturing Workers (JAM) Symposium, February 21, 2015
8. K. Akimoto, The trend of mitigation efforts response to global
warming and outlook for COP21, Lecture on Current Affairs /Situation, Japan Foreign Traders Association, INC., March 4, 2015
9. K. Akimoto, Toward the development of Japan’s energy mix and
INDC, Joint Meeting of Global Environmental Strategy WG / Climate
Change Strategy WG, Keidanren, March 5, 2015
10. K. Akimoto, Consideration towards the development of energy
mix, Symposium for Consideration of Japan's Energy Mix, March 6,

technology, The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, May 27,
2015
21. K. Akimoto, Trends towards COP21 and the future strategies toreduce CO 2 emissions, Environmentally Friendly Case Study
Meeting, The Japan Machinery Federation, June 5, 2015
22. K. Akimoto, Japan’s energy mix and strategies to reduce GHG
emissions after 2020, Special Lecture for On-site Representative ofMines and Refineries, Japan Mining Industry Association, June 10,
2015
23. K. Wada, The status of technology transfer negotiations, The
45th TESCUE Study Meeting, June 24, 2015
24. K. Wada, Technology transfer negotiations in the context of
UNFCCC, Mechanisms Study Meeting, June 26, 2015
25. K. Akimoto, Comparing emission mitigation effort, Duke
Environmental and Energy Economics Working Paper Series, June
2015
26. K. Akimoto, Domestic and international policy trends and issuesof renewable energy with a focus on solar power, Science Council ofJapan, July 2, 2015
27. K. Akimoto, Energy mix and GHG emission reduction targets,

2015

RITE Alumni Association, July 3, 2015

11. K. Wada, Progress on co-benefits research, International

28. K. Akimoto, B. Shoai Tehrani, Overview and assessment ofWorkshop, Bridging Atmospheric Science and Policy in Asia:
Identifying Areas for Collaborative Research, IIASA-IGES, March 10,

Japan’s energy mix and INDCs, MILES Project meeting, Paris
France, July 8, 2015

2015

29. K. Akimoto, CO2 marginal abatement costs of each country,

12. K. Akimoto, Estimates for the nation’s economic value of nuclear

Meeting of Global Environmental Strategy WG, Keidanren, July 17,

power, Academic Study Group, Society of Public Utility Economics,

2015

March 17, 2015

30. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of INDCs from a perspective of

13. K. Wada, The trend of technology negotiation and the study oninternational equity, 2015 CIGS Symposium on Climate Change,

CTCN, The 42nd TESCUE Study Meeting, March 18, 2015

Canon Institute for Global Studies, July 23, 2015

14. K. Akimoto, The INDCs prospects, the relationship of INDCs with

31. K. Wada, K. Akimoto, Y. Arino, RITE's approach to uncertainty

the 2 degree C target and implications for international exchange,

64

Technical Meeting for Information and Systems Electronics: Rare
Metal Resource Restrictions and Next-generation Energy

analysis for mitigation / geoengineering strategies, EMF Snowmass

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■Workshop, July 24, 2015

RITE Today 2016

COP12, December 9, 201532. A. Hayashi, Evaluation of global energy crop production potential

49. K. Akimoto, Measuring emission reduction efforts of the INDCs

up to 2100 under socioeconomic development and climate change

and the expected global emission reductions and economic impacts,

scenarios, International Forum & The Tenth Renewable Energy

Side Event at the COP21, organized by Major Economies Business

Exhibition 2015, July 31, 2015

Forum, Keidanren (BizMEF), December 10, 2015

33. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of energy mix and the future issues

50. K. Akimoto, Climate change measures & policies and the role ofrelated to energy policy, Meeting of Fukui Atomic Energy Council for

CCS, Committee Relating to Technology Trends Survey on Carbon

Peaceful Uses, August 6, 2015

Dioxide Capture and Storage, December 25, 2015

34. K. Akimoto, Toward the realization of the energy mix and

51. K. Akimoto, Long-term GHG emissions pathways under

reduction of GHG emissions, Committee on Environment, Limestone

uncertainty, Review Meeting on How to Study the Future Climate

Association of Japan, September 4, 2015

Change Projections, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science

35. K. Akimoto, Evaluation of energy mix and the future issues

and Technology, December 25, 2015

related to energy policy, Energy Social Meeting, Japan Society of

52. M. Yamaguchi and K. Akimoto, Chapter 8, The view fromEnergy and Resources, September 7, 2015

different parts of the world: A view from Japan, pp. 115-129, Towards

36. M. Yamaguchi, Economics of climate change, Asia Europe

a Workable and Effective Climate Regime, CEPR Press, 2015

Economic Forum, Paris France, September 15, 2015
37. K. Akimoto, Assessment of relationships between climate change
and energy security in the RITE ALPS Project, CD-Links Kick-off
Meeting, IIASA, Vienna, Austria, September 29, 2015
38. K. Akimoto, Japan’s strategic energy plan, including energy
security, The 16th Senior Network (SNW) Symposium, Atomic
Energy Society in Japan, October 3, 2015
39. K. Akimoto, Role of iron and steel sector in responding to global
warming, Iron and Steel Session, Innovation for Cool Earth Forum(ICEF), October 7, 2015
40. K. Akimoto, Energy mix in 2030, Workshop Organized by Safety
and Security Academy of Sciences, ’Is the future energy goodenough? ’, October 14, 2015
41. K. Wada, How to promote low-carbon investment for mitigation
actions in developing countries -The role of the Climate Technology
Center and Network-, on the website of Graduate School of Public
Policy, The University of Tokyo, October 2015
42. K. Akimoto, GHG emissions projections of INDCs and strategic
response to risk, Media Forum on Climate Change Risk: How to see
INDCs of Each Country - From the Point of View of Risk, NIES and
IR3S, November 5, 2015
43. K. Akimoto, Climate change response strategy and the role ofJapan, The Political Economy of Japan and the EU: challenges andStrategies, Chatham house, UK, November 13, 2015
44. K. Akimoto, Assessment of efforts for INDCs emissions
reductions and the global emissions pathways, on the website ofInternational Environment and Economy Institute (IEEI) http://ieei.
or.jp/2015/11/special201511004/, November 2015
45. K. Wada, Technology transfer negotiations and mechanism inthe context of UNFCCC, COP21 Countdown Seminar, November
18, 2015
46. K. Akimoto, Prospects of energy policy in Japan, National
Nuclear Power Plant Municipality Council, November 19, 2015
47. K. Gi, Chapter 10 Industry & living environment (Editor),
Chronological Environmental Tables 2015-2016, Maruzen Publishing,December 2015
48. K. Akimoto, RITE's evaluations on emission reduction efforts of
the INDCs and the expected global emissions, Japan Pavilion at the65

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■RITE Today 2016

Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Group
Original Paper

15. T. Jojima and M. Inui. Engineering the glycolytic pathway: a

1. T. Jojima, T. Igari, Y. Moteki, M. Suda, H. Yukawa and M. Inui,potential approach for improvement of biocatalyst performance.

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

Bioengineered, Vol.6, 328-334, 2015

responsible for glycerol production from 1,3-dihydroxyacetone in
Corynebacterium glutamicum under oxygen-deprived conditions,

Magazine article

Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., Vol.99, pp.1427-1433, 2015

1. Towards development of a bioprocess for 100 % cellulosic jet fuel2. T. Jojima, R. Noburyu, M. Sasaki, T. Tajima, M. Suda, H. Yukawa

production, The New Energy Business News, No.112, Oct. 5, 2015

and M. Inui, Metabolic engineering for improved production of
ethanol by Corynebacterium glutamicum, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol,
Vol.99, pp.1165-1172, 2015
3. K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M. Inui, Expanding theregulatory network governed by the extracytoplasmic function sigma
factor σH in Corynebacterium glutamicum. J. Bacteriol., Vol.197,
pp.483-496, 2015
4. T. Kubota, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, K. Hiraga, H. Yukawa and M.
Inui, Identification and expression analysis of a gene encoding ashikimate transporter of Corynebacterium glutamicum. Microbiology,
Vol.161, pp.254-263, 2015
5. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka and M. Inui, Rho and RNase play acentral role in FMN riboswitch regulation in Corynebacterium
glutamicum. Nucleic.Acids.Res., Vol.43, pp.520-529, 2015
6. H. Teramoto, H. Yukawa and M. Inui, Copper homeostasis-related
genes in three separate transcriptional units regulated by CsoR in
Corynebacterium glutamicum. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., Vol.99,
pp.3505-3517, 2015
7. S. Oide, W. Gunji, Y. Moteki, S. Yamamoto, M. Suda, T. Jojima, H.
Yukawa and M. Inui, Thermal and solvent stress cross-tolerance
conferred to Corynebacterium glutamicum by adaptive laboratory
evolution. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., Vol.81, pp.2284-2298, 2015
8. T. Nishimura and M. Inui. Anaerobic bioprocesses to producehydrogen from biomass. Frontier of Production of Bio-Hydrogen andDevelopment of Carriers of Hydrogen, pp.43-49, 2015
9. Y. Tsuge, K. Uematsu, S. Yamamoto, M. Suda, H. Yukawa and M.
Inui. Glucose consumption rate critically depends on redox state in
Corynebacterium glutamicum under oxygen deprivation. Appl.
Microbiol. Biotechnol., Vol.99, pp.5573-5582, 2015
10. Y. Tsuge, S. Yamamoto, N. Kato, M. Suda, A.A. Vertès, H.
Yukawa and M. Inui. Overexpression of the phosphofructokinase
encoding gene is crucial for achieving high production of D-lactate in
Corynebacterium glutamicum under oxygen deprivation. Appl.
Microbiol. Biotechnol., Vol.99, pp.4679-4689, 2015
11. A. Watanabe, K. Hiraga, M. Suda, H. Yukawa and M. Inui.
Functional characterization of Corynebacterium alkanolyticum
β-xylosidase and xyloside ABC transporter in Corynebacterium
glutamicum. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., Vol.81, pp.4173-4183, 201512. M. Inui and H. Miyauchi. A challenge towards development of abiomass-derived phenolic plastics production technology. PLASTICS
AGE, Vol.61, pp.116-117, 2015
13. Y. Tanaka, H. Teramoto and M. Inui. Regulation of the expressionof de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis genes in Corynebacterium
glutamicum. J. Bacteriol., Vol.197, pp.3307-3316, 2015
14. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto and M. Inui. AraR, an L-arabinoseresponsive transcriptional regulator in Corynebacterium glutamicum
ATCC 31831, exerts different degrees of repression depending on
the location of its binding sites within the three target promoter
regions. J. Bacteriol., Vol.197, pp.3788-3796, 2015

66

Oral Presentation
1. A. Watanabe, K. Hiraga, M. Suda, H. Yukawa, M. Inui, Functional
characterization of Corynebacterium alkanolyticum xylosidase andxyloside transporter, The 2015 Annual Meeting of Japan Society for
Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
2. T. Kubota, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, K. Hiraga, H. Yukawa, M. Inui,
Shikimate transporter of Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2015
Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
3. T. Kogure, M. Suda, K. Hiraga, M. Inui, Production of shikimic acidas a precursor of aromatic compounds by metabolically engineered
Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2015 Annual Meeting of Japan
Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 27,
2015
4. T. Jojima, T. Igari, W. Gunji, Y. Moteki, M. Suda, H. Yukawa, M.
Inui, Glycerol biosynthesis via dihydroxyacetone in Corynebacterium
glutamicum, The 2015 Annual Meeting of Japan Society for
Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
5. T. Tsujimoto, K. Toyoda, H. Teramoto, M. Inui, The isobutanolresponsive transcriptional regulatory mechanism of sigE encoding
the ECF sigma factor SigE in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The
2015 Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology
and Agrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
6. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto, M. Inui, L-Arabinose-responsive
transcriptional regulatory mechanism in Corynebacterium
glutamicum, The 2015 Annual Meeting of Japan Society for
Bioscience, Biotechnology and Agrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
7. T. Maeda, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, M. Inui, Role of the RNase III
of Corynebacterium glutamicum in cell division, The 2015 Annual
Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
8. N. Hamamoto, Y. Tanaka, N. Takemoto, M. Inui, RNase J regulates
lysine synthesis genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum, The 2015
Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology andAgrochemistry, Mar. 27, 2015
9. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka, S. Watanabe, T. Miyoshi-Akiyama, M.
Inui, Utilization of RNase and Rho in regulation by FMN-riboswitch,
9th meeting of young scientists in Society of Genome Microbiology,
Japan, Sep. 29-30, 2015
10. T. Kuge, H. Teramoto and M. Inui, Transcriptional regulation of
L-arabinose utilization genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum,
BioMicroWorld 2015, Oct. 28-30, 2015
11. N. Takemoto, Y. Tanaka, T. Maeda, N. Hamamoto, M. Inui,
Bacterial transcription termination factor Rho and RNase E/Gcooperatively suppress unwanted antisense RNA production in
Corynebacterium glutamicum, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2015, Dec. 1-4, 2015

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■RITE Today 2016

Chemical Research Group
Original Paper

Tsuguhiro Kato, Yoichi Matsuzaki, Masami Onoda, 34th International

1. Response Surface Optimization of Impregnation of Blended

Conference on Solution Chemistry, Czech Republic, Aug.30-Sep.3,

Amines into Mesoporous Silica for High-Performance CO2 Capture,2015

Duc Sy Dao, Hidetaka,

Yamada, Katsunori Yogo, Energy Fuels,

6. Development of Novel Single Amine Absorbents and Their Blends

2015, 29 (2), pp.985-992

for CO2 Capture , Firoz Alam Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto, Yoichi

2. Enhanced Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide on Surface-Modified

Matsuzaki, Tsuguhiro Kato, Takayuki Higashii, Masami Onoda, 3rd

Mesoporous Silica-Supported Tetraethylenepentamine: Role ofPost Combustion Capture Conference, Canada, Sep.8-Sep.11, 2015

Surface Chemical Structure, Junpei Fujiki, Hidetaka Yamada,7. Analysis of the Rate-Limiting Step in Carbon Dioxide Absorption

Katsunori Yogo, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2015, 215,

to Amine-Impregnated Solid Sorbent, Ryohei Numaguchi, Hidetaka

pp.76-83

Yamada, Kazuya Goto, Katsunori Yogo, 3rd Post Combustion

3. CO2 Solubility Measurements and Modeling for Tertiary Diamines:

Capture Conference, Canada, Sep.8-Sep.11, 2015

Hiroshi Machida, Hidetaka Yamada, Yuich Fujioka, Shin Yamamoto,

8. Carbon dioxide adsorption on chitosan derived N-doped carbon,

Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, 2015, 60, pp.814-820

Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo, International Conference on Coal

4. The increased CO2 adsorption performance of chitosan-derived

Science & Technology 2015, Australia, Sep.27-Oct.1, 2015

activated carbons with nitrogen-doping, Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori

9. CO2 capture technology for CCS, Takayuki Higashii, Taiwan

Yogo, Chemical Communications, 2016, 52, pp.186-189

International Green Industry Show 2015- Seminar, Taipei, Oct.1,

5. Development of Hydrogen-Selective Triphenylmethoxysilane-

2015

Derived Silica Membranes with Tailored Pore Size by Chemical

10. Advanced CO2 capture technologies at RITE, Takayuki Higashii,

Vapor Deposition, Xiao-Liang Zhang, Hidetaka Yamada, Takashi

The sixth Korea CCS international Conference, Jan.29, 2016

Saito, Teruhiko Kai, Kazuya Murakami, Makoto Nakashim, Joji

11. Chemically Tunable Ionic Liquid-Amine Solutions for CO 2

Ohshita, Kazuki Akamatsu, Shin-ichi Nakao, Journal of Membrane

Capture, Firoz A. Chowdhury, Tsuguhiro Kato, Jan.27, 2016

Science, 2016, 499, pp.28-35
6. Mesoporous Silica Sorbents Impregnated with Blends ofTetraethylenepentamine and Alkanolamine for CO2 Separation,
Hidetaka Yamada, Duc Sy Dao, Junpei Fujiki, Katsunori Yogo,
Separation Science and Technology, 2015, 50, pp 2948-2953
Non Journal Publication
1. CO 2 Capture by Membrane, Teruhiko Kai, Shuhong Duan,
Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, 2015, pp.128
Oral Presentation
1. Advanced CO2 capture technologies at RITE, Takayuki Higashii,2015 Taiwan-Japan CCT/CCS Information Exchange Program,Taipei, Jan.22, 2015
2. Development of CO2 molecular gate membrane for CO2 captureand storage (CCS), Teruhiko Kai, International Workshop on "Recent
Progress on Membrane Separation and CO 2 Capture", Japan,
Jul.16, 2015
3. Hydrogen Separation in the Hydrogen-MethylcyclohexaneToluene Gaseous Mixtures through Triphenylmethoxysilane-derived
Silica Membrane by Chemical Vapor Deposition, Xiao-Liang Zhang,
Hidetaka Yamada, Takashi Saito, Teruhiko Kai, Kazuki Akamatsu,
Shin-ichi Nakao, 9th Conference of Aseanian Membrane Society,Taiwan, Jul.19-21, 2015
4. Modeling of CO2 Solubility in Tertiary Amine Solvent Using pKa,
Hiroshi Machida, Hidetaka Yamada, Shin Yamamoto, 7thInternational Symposium on Molecular Thermodynamics andMolecular Simulation, Japan, Aug.4-7, 2015
5. Effects of CO 2 Absorption on the Lower Critical Solution
Temperature Phase Separation in Amine-H2O Systems, Hidetaka
Yamada, Ryohei Numaguchi, Firoz A. Chowdhury, Kazuya Goto,67

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■RITE Today 2016

CO2 Storage Research Group
Original Paper

Other Paper

1. Yi Zhang, Osamu Nishizawa, Tamotsu Kiyama, Ziqiu Xue,

1. Ziqiu Xue, Takahiro Nakajima, Long-term stability of CO 2

Saturation-path dependency of P-wave velocity and attenuation ingeological storage - post injection monitoring at Nagaoka site,

sandstone saturated with CO2 and brine revealed by simultaneous

Japanese Society for Rock Mechanics, January 2015

measurements of waveforms and X-ray computed tomography

2. Shinichiro Hirabayashi, Toru Sato, Michimasa Magi, Tatsuo

images, Geophysics, 80, 4, 2015

Suzuki, Numerical study on the effect of artificial mound settled in

2. Yi Zhang, Hyuck Park, Tamotsu Kiyama, Osamu Nishizawa, Yu

the shallow ocean for CO 2 fixation, Marine Systems & Ocean

Liu, Kwang-seok Chae, and Ziqiu Xue, Effect of fluid displacement

Technology 10, 1, 18-25, March 2015

pattern on complex electrical impedance in Berea sandstone over

3. Shigeo Horikawa, Takeshi Sasaki, Ziqiu Xue, Takahiro Nakajima,

frequency range 104 Hz-106 Hz, Geophysical Prospecting, under

A Study on Seismic Hazard Evaluation at the Nagaoka CO2 Storage

review

Site, Japan, The Japanese Geotechnical Society, in print

3. Tetsuya Kogure, Yi Zhang, Osamu Nishizawa, Ziqiu Xue,

4. Ryozo Tanaka, Global Status of CCS from Five Viewpoints,

Displacement of brine and supercritical CO2 during steady-stateElectrical Review, October 2015

relative permeability measurements through drainage and imbibition

5. Ziqiu Xue, Micro bubble CO2 technology development for CO2

processes under capillary-dominated flow condition, Water
Resources Research, submitted

geological storage and CO 2-EOR, The Society of Chemical
Engineers, Japan, November 2015

4. Saeko Mito, Kei Okamura, Hideshi Kimoto, Colorimetric pH
Measurement of Pressurized Groundwater containing CO 2,
Analytical Science, in press
5. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Shun Chiyonobu, Xue Ziqiu,
Geostatistical modeling for the spatial mud content: an application to
the Nagaoka CO2 storage site, Japan, Journal of Geological Societyof Japan, 121, 311-323, 2015
6. Osamu Nishizawa, Yi Zhang, Takuma Ito, Ziqiu Xue, Tetsuya
Kogure, Tamotsu Kiyama,, Rock physics research with application to
CO2 geological storage I: CO2 flow behavior in capillary-dominatedflow region and effects of multi-scale heterogeneity on CO2 trapping,
BUTSURI-TANSA, under review
7. Osamu Nishizawa, Yi Zhang, Ziqiu Xue, Rock physics researchwith application to CO2 geological storage II: relationship between
CO 2 saturation and P-wave velocity in a porous sandstone.,
BUTSURI-TANSA, under review
8. Kazuhiko Nakano, Takuma Ito, Hikari Takahara, Takao Moriyama,Ziqiu Xue, Application to rapid quantitative analysis using loose
powder X-ray fluorescent analysis for sediment cores fromgeological CO2 sequestration site, Advances in X-ray Chemical
Analysis Japan, 46, 227-235, 2015
9. Lauren E. Beckingham, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Evaluation ofmineral reactive surface area estimates for prediction of reactivity ofa multi-mineral sediment, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
submitted
10. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue, Depositional
environments and geological controlling factor of CO2 injectivity interms of grain-size and pore-throat size distributions: a case study of
Nagaoka site, Japan, Journal of the Sedimentological Society ofJapan, submitted
11. Takuma Ito, Yuhei Komatsu, Tetsuya Fujii, Kiyofumi Suzuki,
Kosuke Egawa, Yoshihiro Nakatsuka, Yoshihiro Konno, Jun Yoneda,
Yusuke Jin, Masato Kida, Jiro Nagao, Hideki Minagawa, Lithologicalfeatures of hydrate-bearing sediments and their relationship with gas
hydrate saturation in the eastern Nankai Trough, Japan, Marine andPetroleum Geology,66,368-378, 2015

Oral Presentation (International conference)
1. Jun Kita, Environmental Impact Assessment on Offshore
Geological Storage of CO2, Japan-Norway Energy Science Week
2015, May 28, 2015
2. Ryozo Tanaka, Example of Japanese Participation to EU
Framework Programme:CO2CARE（CO2 Site Closure Assessment
Research）Project, Japan-Norway Energy Science Week 2015,
May 28, 2015
3. Jun Kita, Act on Prevention of Marine Pollution and Maritime
Disaster for Offshore CO 2 Storage in Japan, IEAGHG 10th
Monitoring Network Meeting, Jun 04, 2015
4. Mitnick, Elizabeth H., Lauren E. Beckingham, Shuo Zhang, Carl I.
Steefel, Li Yang, Marco Voltolini, Alexander M. Swift, Jonathan AjoFranklin, David R. Cole, Julie M. Sheets, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue,
Donald J. Depaolo, Impact of mineral reactive surface area
approximations on predictions of mineral dissolution rates in a CO2
injection experiment, 2015 Carbon Storage RD Project Review
Meeting, Aug 18. 2015
5. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Shun Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue,
Reservoir characterization of a CO2 sorage aquifer: a case study of
the Nagaoka pilot site,Japan, Asia Oceania Geosciences Society,Aug 3. 2015
6. Takahiro Nakajima, Takuma Ito,Ziqiu Xue, Effects of heterogeneity
on the distribution of CO2 in a saline reservoir at Nagaoka, Japan,
12TH Annual Meeting AOGS2015, Aug 6. 2015
Oral Presentation (Domestic conference)
1. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Ziqiu Xue, Spatial mud content
and its implications for CO2 geological storage: a case study of the
Nagaoka site, Japan, Sedimentological Society of Japan, Apr 26.
2015
2. Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Geochemical monitoring of CO 2
underground and an evaluation technique of geochemical features,
The Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2015, May 25, 2015
3. Takahiro Nakajima, Takuma Ito, Ziqiu Xue, Shun Chiyonobu,,
Effects of heterogeneity on the distribution of CO 2: Numerical68

■ 2015 Paper, Presentation and Publication ■RITE Today 2016

simulation in a CO 2 storage reservoir at Nagaoka, The Japan
Geoscience Union Meeting 2015, May 25, 2015
4. Takuma Ito, Takahiro Nakajima, Shun Chiyonobu, Ziqiu Xue, An
attempt of geostatistical modeling for spatial mud content: a casestudy of the Nagaoka pilot site, Japan, The Japan Geoscience Union
Meeting 2015, May 25, 2015
5. Ryozo Tanaka, Current Status of CCS in the World, The Japan
Geoscience Union Meeting 2015, May 25, 2015
6. Kazuhiko Nakano, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Wellbore integrity
assessment of CO2 sequestration site from the geochemical reaction
using well composite samples, The Japan Geoscience Union
Meeting 2015, May 22－26，2015
7. Keisuke Uchimoto,Yoshimasa Matsumura, Jun Kita, Yuji
Watanabe, A method for assessing the impacts of leaked CO2 on
the marine environment, The Japan Geoscience Union Meeting
2015, May 25, 2015
8. Takamichi Nakamura. Tomoyuki Sato, Taro Kawamura, Trend in
the development of microbial technology in carbon capture,utilization and storage(CCUS):a bottleneck in the realization of geobioreactors, The Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2015, May 25,
2015
9. Tsutomu Hashimoto, Ziqiu Xue, Yoshiaki Yamauchi, Geologicalformation deformation monitoring by optical fiber sensing, Japan
Society of Engineering Geology, Sep 24,2015, Sep 25,2015
10. Keisuke Uchimoto, Jun Kita, A method for detecting leaked CO2
in the sea based on a relationship between DIC and DO, The
Oceanographic Society of Japan, Sep 28, 2015
11. Kazuhiko Nakano, Saeko Mito, Ziqiu Xue, Observation of Well
Cement after Reaction with Supercritical CO2 for CO2 sequestrationsite - 2nd report, 64th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for
Analytical Chemistry, Sep9-11，2015
Publication
1. Kazuhiko Nakano, Chapter 7. Reference materials for XRF
analysis, Recent advances in X-ray fluorescent analysis, 2nd ed. I.
Nakai, Asakura shoten, Tokyo
2. Ryozo Tanaka, Update on the latest Research and Development
into CCS in Japan, Coaltrans Japam
3. Ziqiu Xue, Tetsuma Toshioka, Ryozo Tanaka,, Permanent Ocean
Bottom Cable System for Offshore CO 2 Storage, 6th CSLF
Ministerial Meeting
4. Takamichi Nakamura, Application of microbial technology in CCS
sites, Hokkaido Branch, The Mining and Materials Processing
Institute of Japan Forum 2015

69

2016 Vol.11