R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2022

Research & Coordination Group
Members (As of Dec. 2021)
Isamu Yagyu, Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Makoto Nomura, Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Yoshifumi Kawaguchi, Deputy Group Leader
Takayuki Higashii, Chief Researcher
Tetsuya Deguchi, Associate Chief Researcher
Yoshinori Aoki, Associate Chief Researcher
Kimihito Suzuki, Associate Chief Researcher
Jun-ichi Shimizu, Associate Chief Researcher
Yasuaki Minoura, Manager

Noritaka Mochizuki, Planning Manager
Sou Kuranaka, Planning Manager
Daisuke Kihara, Vice Manager, Researcher
Yuka Matsugu, Chief
Yumi Kobayashi, Researcher
Natsuko Yasumoto, Researcher
Nami Tatsumi
Michiyo Kubo
Mizuki Nagata

Research of the Decarbonized Society to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
The Research and Coordination Group aims to i)levels, while continuing strenuous efforts in its chal-searching for new research topics that enhance the re-lenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emission by

search potential of RITE, proposing and implementing

50%.

new research themes, ii) government support for the re-In October 2021, the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan4) has

lation with international organizations such as IPCC (In-been formulated, showing the approach to energy pol-tergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), ISO (Inter-

icy toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and pre-national Standard Organization), iii) dissemination ofsenting initiatives to ensure stable supply and reduce

RITE’s technologies and Human developmentof theenergy costs based on the major premise of ensuring

future generation iv) practical application of technology

safety, in order to solve challenges facing Japan’s en-

through industrial collaborative R&D, together with theergy supply and demand structure while taking action

research groups/center. These efforts lead to a creation

against climate change (Fig.1).

of new policy implementation, R&D and innovation

In December 2021, while realizing carbon neutrality

aiming at the global environment and the economy .

by 2050 and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

1)

In 2021, the Cabinet approved the Sixth Strategic En-

by 46% in FY 2030, Ministry of Economy, Trade and In-

ergy Plan to show the approach to energy policy toward

dustry (METI) started to discuss “the Clear Energy Strat-achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, so it is outlined ategy”5) to describe the feasible pass in not "a point" butfirst.

“a line” in addition to finding the stable, cheap energy
supply for the future. It is being formulated in about

1. Cabinet Decision on the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan

June 2022.

In October 2020, Prime Minister Suga declared theIn the Clean Energy Strategy, the agenda for discus-

goal of realizing a carbon-neutral, decarbonized societysion is securing stable, cheap energy supply for the fu-

by 2050 at the 203rd extraordinary Diet session 2). In

ture and changing energy contents of each field of de-April 2021, the Plan for global Warning Countermeas-

mand side including industry as well as the supply side.

ures3) was revised and announced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in FY 2030 from its FY 201313

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2022

（Source) Outline of the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan （October, 2021 Agency for Natural Resources and Energy）

Fig.1

The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan － Points of outlook for energy supply and demand in FY2030(1)2. Research Activities

country recognized the large cut of CO2 discharged by

Last year, RITE studied the CCS (Carbon dioxide Cap-

human and the importance of CCS projects to achieveture) investigation research6) entrusted by METI which

the target. In 2021, the capacity increased to the same

was the research related to the system design and busi-

level in 2011.

ness conditions for CCS industrialization, so it is outlined in the below.

2.1. The Trend of Commercial CCS projects in the world
Fig. 2 showed the trend of the facilities capacity (CO 2
possibility quantity) of the world’s commercial CCS projects published by GCCSI (Global CCS Institute)7). The
quantity increased from 2010 to 2011, but decreased
the half of 2011 in 2017.
The CCS projects need relatively big investment anda long time, so were postponed or stopped by various
reasons before the last investment decision. Since 2018,
they have increased again. It is guessed to be the influ-（Source) GCCSI，The Global Status of CCS 2021，P14，FIGURE 7 PIPELINE
OF COMMERCIAL CCS FACILITIES FROM 2010 TO SEPTEMBER 2021 BY CAPTURE CAPACITY

Fig.2 The trend of commercial CCS projects in the worldence of the Paris Agreement that took effect in 2016.
The future reduction target became clear and each14

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination Group

2.2. Introduction Barrier of CCS

RITE Today 2022

of CCS's industrialization. According to 32 main cancel-

32 CCS projects were investigated and arranged thatlation reasons, the introduction barrier of CCS was ①

stopped abroad in the past to examine the framework

Policy and Law Problem (16%), ②Economic Problem(61%) and Social Acceptability & Storage Points (16%).

（Source) METI’s research report in 2020 https://www.meti.go.jp/meti_lib/report/2020FY/000266.pdf

Fig.3 The Barrier of CCS Introduction

2.3. Framework of the Business Environment for CCS Introduction
The introduction barrier of CCS projects was ①Policy
and Law Problem, Economic Problem and Social Ac-etc.) is necessary.
②Outlook of CCS business (Correspondence of Economic Problem)：a)

The earnings structure that profit is provided inceptability & Storage Points as mentioned above. It isconsideration of additional cost and framework ofimportant to lower the business risk with the uncer-

financing (business model) is necessary.

tainty. Therefore, the business environments of CCS in-b)

Examination of Enforcement of CCS and the Clari-

troduction showed ①CCS's Significance/Licensing, ②

fication of the responsibility range of the CCS's

the Outlook of CCS Business and ③CCS business Pre-

company is necessary.

condition.

③CCS business Precondition （Correspondence Social①Significance / Licensing of CCS （Correspondence of

Reception& Storage points）：

Policy/ Law System）：

a)

a)

b)

If people don't recognize the ccs as the rational

The roadmap showing the clear policy, CCS intro-

technique for global warming measures, it may be-

duction time, CCS cost target and etc. is necessary.

come negative to give CCS public support (subsi-

The comprehensive legal system corresponding todies) and social implementation. Therefore, thethe life cycle of CCS (Survey, Injection, Manage-

frame about the social acceptability improvement

ment of Abandoned Mine, Responsibility Transfer

is necessary.

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R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination Groupb)

RITE Today 2022

The performance uncertainty of storage quantity

supporting METI through information collection / anal-

becomes the premise of the CCs introduction en-

ysis / report / advise etc.

forcement judgement. The framework to evaluate
the exploration of storage points is necessary.

The CCS projects need long lead-time. It is necessary
to early consider and build the CCS's framework to utilize the global warming measures technology.

3. Promotion of international partnership3.1. IPCC
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

Fig.4

Committee structure and RITE

has been established in 1988 with a view to conducting
a comprehensive assessment from a scientific, technical3.2. ISOand socioeconomic standpoint on climate change, im-

ISO (International Standard Organization) is an or-

pact, adaptation and mitigation measures by anthropo-

ganization composed of 167 standardization bodies ofgenic sources, jointly by the United Nations Environ-various countries that gives the common standards andment Program (UNEP) and by the World Meteorologicalpromotes global trade. It can provide safe, reliable andOrganization

scientifichigh-quality products/service to utilize ISO standards.

knowledge on global warming and makes the reports

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is one ofcontributing to three WGs, Physical Science Basis (WG1),

the important options for global warming counter-

In-fluence and Adaptation (WG2), Mitigation Measures

measures because it has a great effect of reducing CO 2

(WG3).

emissions into the atmosphere. In the world, a number(WMO).

IPCC

examines

In IPCC, the experts chosen among each countryof CCS verification projects on a commercial scale are

make the report, based on the dissertation or the scien-also implemented, and international collaboration istific observation data and evaluate / examine the scien-

under way. The international standard plays an im-

tific analysis, social economic influence and counter-

portant role, contributing to the widespread use of safe

measures to control climate change. This outcome is toand appropriate CCS technology.

have a high influence on inter-national negotiations be-

RITE is a domestic deliberation organization on ISO /cause the scientific basis is also given to the policies ofTC 265 (collection, transportation, and storage of CO 2)each country.

and is in charge of a secretariat of WG 1 (collection).

RITE plays the central role of domestic support secre-

Through these activities, we are conducting interna-tariat of mitigation measures (WG 3) (Fig. 4). IPCC pub-tional standardization on design, construction, opera-

lished WG1’s report on the physical science basis in Au-

tion, environmental planning and management, risk

gust 2021 and is going to publish WG2’s report in Feb-

management, quantification, monitoring and verifica-

ruary 2022, WG3’s report in April 2022 and the inte-tion, and related activities in the CCS field through in-grated report in September 2022. RITE has also been

ternational standardization (Fig. 5).
In January, 2022, twelve standards related to the CCS

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R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2022

field have been published from ISO / TC265. The new

Energy consumption
And Global warming

WG related to CO2 transshipment is established and isgoing to start the standard consideration next year. And
Seven ones are under development including the pre-Knowledge

sent consideration.
Solar panel、
Fuel cellWorkshop

Study
Cycle

Understanding

ActionFig.6

Discussion andExchange of views for
Future energy、Global warming

RITE and environment education(Elementary, middle and high school students）<University / Postgraduate student>
Fig.5

ISO/TC265 structure

RITE is promoting collaboration of education with
universities as part of human development sup-porting

4. Human development and industry collaboration

the next research and technology. We are accepting

4.1. Human development

young talented people, mainly graduate students, to<Elementary and high school students>

the research site. Here, we are developing education at

RITE promotes extracurricular learning using research

the university and research guidance at the laboratory

facilities for elementary, junior and senior high school(Fig. 7). RITE established a university collaborative la-students. And RITE also welcomes teaching requests

boratory in the field of bioscience with Nara Institute ofwhere staff members visit schools using teaching mate-

Science and Technology. Here we are conducting re-rials and equipment. Such demands for human devel-

search and education aimed at realizing a recycling-

opment are growing year by year. For example, we

type and low-carbon society by using renewable re-picked up CCS technology from RITEʼs research and ex-

sources effectively using biomass as a raw material.

plained the global warming mechanism. We are con-Also, RITE has established a university collaborative

ducting activities based on the learning cycle such aslaboratory in the field of CO2 capture with Nara Institutedeepening understanding through discussion and ex-of Science and Technology.

change of views (Fig. 6).
But because of Novel Coronavirus, we held classes
and workshops for 54 students in 2021 (37 students in
2020, and 397 students in 2019). RITE wants to restart aclass and a workshop as soon as the situation is improved.

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R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupAs of the end of 2021, the patents during application

知識

Research
LeaderTutor

Appointment
guidance

Education

思考

Research
Trainee

RITE Today 2022

Student

Appointment

and examination are 24 domestic and 21 foreign, andthe patents owned by RITE are 98 domestic rights (11of which are licensed to companies) and 53 foreign
rights (13 of which are li-censed to companies). (Fig. 8).
As the example to licensed RITE’s Intellectual property, the GEI company (cf. refer to biotechnology group5.3) listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market
in December, 2021 which gives the license fee related

RITE（R&D）

Fig.7

University（Education）

to the amino acid to RITE.

RITE and environment education(University / Post graduate student）

4.2. Intellectual property and industry collaboration
RITE acquires and manages intellectual property
rights such as patents and know-how strategically andefficiently on results obtained in R&D.
To acquire patent rights brings up the opportunity
which RITE cooperates with industries. As a result, it ispossible to accelerate industrialization and simultane-

Fig.8

Strategic IP management and industrial

ously promote public interest and innovation as a pub-collaboration

lic research institution. Intellectual property brings up
opportunities to cooperate with industries. It is ex-

5. Conclusion

pected that a virtuous circle is created based on appro-

This year (2021) marked on the 10th anniversary ofpriate information management and contracts to create

the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at thefurther intellectual property. It is also expected that theTokyo Electric Power Company (TEP-CO)'s Fukushima

aspect of the intellectual property that enables related

Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

technologies to be used to support standards, such as

In October, 2021, the Government of Japan decided

collaboration with international standards (such as sec-

the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan, in order to solve chal-tion 3.2). Based on the market and other re-search andlenges facing Japan’s energy supply and demand struc-development trends, RITE promotes intellectual prop-

ture while taking action against cli-mate change.

erty strategically.

To realize 2050 Carbon neutrality, Japan needs to es-

RITE has established the IP management Committee

tablish and diffuse the innovative technology that isn’t

which consists of RITE’s leaders and the committee dis-realized at the present, and the RITE’s CO2 Capture tech-cusses and decides Invention certification, patent appli-

nologies are one of the most necessary technologies.

cation to domestic and foreign, request for patent ex-

But to realize 2050 Carbon neutrality is almost impossi-

amination, patent maintenance and the approval of li-

ble only by remarkable efforts. It is necessary that RITE

cense contract.

also promotes the social implementation proactively.

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R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2022

Reference
1） RITE, “The Role of RITE” (https://www.rite.or.jp/about/).
2） “Prime Minister Suga’s Policy Speech at the 203rd extraordinary Diet session(https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/99_suga/statement/2020/1026shoshinhyomei.html)
3） Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures (Cabinet
Approval on October 22, 2021)(https://www.env.go.jp/earth/onanka/keikaku/211022.html)
4） Cabinet Decision on the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan
（https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/others/basi
c_plan/pdf/20211022_01.pdf）
5） Clean Growth Strategy(https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/sankoshin/sangyo_gijutsu/green_transformation/pdf/001_02_00.pdf)
6） RITE’s CCS research report entrusted by METI (2020)(https://www.meti.go.jp/meti_lib/report/2020FY/000266.pdf)(https://www.meti.go.jp/meti_lib/report/2019FY/000145.pdf）
7） GCCSI，The Global Status of CCS 2021
(https://www.japanccs.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/0-4-GCCSI_Jarad-Daniels.pdf)

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