Affiliated Research Unit

Division of Global Security and Energy Transition HashimotoLaboratory

Energy Policy, Renewable, Hydrogen

Material
Environment and Energy

1.Geopolitics in the era of energy transition

Information

Energy Transition is in progress rapidly around the world. The shift to renewableenergies might bring a huge impact to the energy politics that was developed basedon fossil fuel-based energy trade in the previous century. The deployment ofhydrogen, which is a flexible energy carrier, is rapidly expanding everywhere in theworld, and will give the renewable powers a chance of long-distance trading. These
technological changes will bring big influences in geopolitics over energy resources
and reshuffle the players in energy trade globally. Technology will become a key
element in geopolitics of Energy Transition Era replacing fossil fuels reserves in theprevious era. Dominance of such key technologies is essential in ensuring energy
security in the coming days. A new research project is launched on the geopolitical
implication of key technologies in the era of Energy Transition. The project aims at
identifying challenges Asian Pacific countries face in securing key technologies inrenewable based energy society, and see its influence on energy geopolitics, thendevelop policy recommendations for the measures to address such issues.

Professor

Michio HASHIMOTO
Research Area

Chemical Biomedicine

Energy Policy, Renewable, Hydrogen

Project Associate Professor

Yuki ISHIMOTO

Barrier Free

2.Techno-economical analysis of Hydrogen Supply Chains

Social Science

In fostering the global trade of hydrogen, explicit knowledge of the cost and carbon
intensity of hydrogen supply chains is essential in ensuring the economy and carbon
neutrality of the hydrogen supply chains. A research project is launched to deepen
the understanding of the models used to calculate costs and greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions intensity of international hydrogen supply chains. The obtained results will
be used to identify the key drivers of costs and emissions reduction, and to provide
recommendations for policymakers.

Laboratory forInterdiciplinary Activities

3.Creating value in Energy Business

Cooperative Laboratories

In the business of new energy technologies, the cost of energy needs to be low
enough to penetrate the market. Lower energy prices might reduce the profit margin
hence discourage new investments flow. How can we solve this dilemma? Is there
any way to pay more for energy? What else is the value of energy to pay? Aresearch project is to be launched to answer these questions.

ColumnResearch institutions around the world areengaged in analyzing hydrogen costs. In cost
analysis using economic models, results canvary greatly depending on slight differences inassumptions and outlooks. This is partly due todifferences in the perspectives of the modelers(which I call "modelers' beliefs"), and evenwhen using the same calculation model anddata, the results can differ or even be opposite
at times.
Therefore, a project has been initiated underthe International Energy Agency’ s (IEA)
Hydrogen Technology Collaboration
Programme (H2TCP) to visualize the beliefs ofSocial Cooperation
Research Departments

modelers worldwide by comparing hydrogencost analysis models from various countries. By
comparing these models and examining thecommonalities and differences, we can achievea more precise understanding of the cost

Corporate SponsoredResearch Programs

structure and propose strategies to achievesignificant cost reductions, which is a key
1 Symposium of Global Security andEnergy Transition

2 Hydrogen Supply Chain

challenge for the widespread adoption ofhydrogen.
This project was proposed and realized byResearch Organization

Japan and we are members of the project.

enesec@enesys.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp

3 Evolution of Hydrogen Usage

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