Kyushu University Energy Week 2023
Kyushu University Energy Week 2023 was held January 30–February 3, 2023, and featured
symposiums concerning energy on the theme of “Energy Intelligence Beyond Borders:
Opening the Path to Future Energy and Energy Security with Integrative Knowledge.” For
this year’s Energy Week, energy-related organizations inside and outside of Kyushu
University came together to hold international and industry-academia-government
workshops, as well as other events, which served as a forum for exchange and aninternational hub for energy researchers. This year marked the seventh annual Energy Week,
which was held in a hybrid format that combined online and in-person events. Energy Week
saw upwards of 2,000 participants and included lectures and presentations from researchers,
students, industry and government officials, and others from Japan and abroad conducting
a wide range of energy-related research. This year, the Institute of Systems, Information
Technologies and Nanotechnologies (ISIT) and Fukuoka City held the inaugural “Kyushu
University-ISIT-Fukuoka City Symposium on Green Transformation.” The symposium
introduced the globally trending topic of how to link business with decarbonization andshowcased specific examples of corporate initiatives.

President Ishibashi delivers his opening address▼Kyushu University Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT)（Jan. 30 Q-PIT Plenary Session）
The plenary session began with an opening address by Kyushu University President
Ishibashi, followed by keynote speeches. Kei Shimogori, a senior researcher at the Instituteof Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), presented “Ukraine Crisis and Efforts to Strengthen
Energy Security in Europe.” Next, Hiroki Suemori, Director General of the Business Strategy
Department at the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), spoke
about “JOGMEC's challenge for unstable situation related to energy. ” The keynote speeches
were delivered to an audience of approximately 60 on-site and online participants.

Keynote speech by IEEJ’s Kei Shimogori

Q&A session with JOGMEC’s Hiroki Suemori（Jan. 30 Q-PIT Focused Session A）
At Focused Session A, Professor Akari Hayashi of the Platform of Inter/Transdisciplinary
Energy Research (Q-PIT) gave a report on the Q-Energy Innovator Fellowship. This wasfollowed by the keynote lecture, “Environmental Business Development: Aiming toDecarbonization,” presented by Akimasa Yasuoka, former Senior Vice President in charge ofProduct Regulatory, Environmental & Safety at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. About 130
participants attended in person and online.

Keynote lecture by Akimasa Yasuoka,
formerly of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Lecture scene（Jan. 30 Poster Presentation）
Following the keynote lecture, a poster presentation was held by 23 fellows of the Q-Energy
Innovator Fellowship, 4 winners of the Junichi Miyamoto Hydrogen Research Award, and 26
recipients of the 2022 Q-PIT “Support Program for Young Researchers and DoctoralStudents.” The Q&A session, held in person for the first time in three years, led to a lively
exchange of ideas.

（Jan. 31 Q-PIT Focused Session B）
At Focused Session B, Professor Yoshio Matsuzaki of the Platform of Inter/Transdisciplinary
Energy Research (Q-PIT) gave an overview of decarbonization research at Q-PIT. This wasfollowed by reports on the progress of research being conducted by different modules,
interdisciplinary research teams that aim to realize a decarbonized society through researchthat transcends fields in the humanities and social sciences as well as the natural sciences.
Next, Saibu Gas executive manager Kazuhide Nakama gave a special lecture titled “Saibu
Gas Group's Efforts to Go Carbon Neutral.” In the panel discussion, Kazuhide Nakama wasjoined on stage by Takashi Ono of the Kyocera Corporation, who engaged in a lively
conversation with a panel of Kyushu University faculty. Approximately 90 participants
attended the session, both on-site and online.

Special lecture by Kazuhide Nakamaof Saibu Gas Co., Ltd

Presentation by the Module headPanel discussion▼Kyushu Area Renewable Energy Cooperation Committee（Feb. 2 Collaboration Forum for Renewable Energy）
The second Collaboration Forum for Renewable Energy was held as part of the activities ofthe Kyushu Area Renewable Energy Cooperation Committee, which was established in 2021
by 11 national universities in the Kyushu-Okinawa area. Presentations were made on efforts
related to training renewable energy personnel through inter-university collaboration
among five universities in the Kyushu region. During the panel discussion, there was a lively
exchange of opinions on a range of topics, including research challenges and social issues
that need to be addressed in order to achieve a carbon-neutral society by 2050, initiatives
related to renewable energy in education, efforts towards zero-carbon campuses, networkbuilding in education, and the direction of future inter-university collaborations.
Approximately 80 participants attended the session, both on-site and online.

Panel discussion

Group photo▼Institute of Systems, Information Technologies and Nanotechnologies (ISIT)（Feb. 1 Kyushu University-ISIT-Fukuoka City Symposium on Green Transformation (GX):
Developing a Decarbonization Business in Fukuoka）
The “Kyushu University-ISIT-Fukuoka City Symposium on Green Transformation (GX):
Developing a Decarbonization Business in Fukuoka” was held on February 1, in the large
conference room of ACROS Fukuoka. The symposium included two keynote speeches on
decarbonization and carbon neutrality, along with presentations on the efforts of Fukuoka
City and the Institute of Systems, Information Technologies and Nanotechnologies (ISIT) tosupport decarbonization businesses in the city. The event also featured a report on
decarbonization business case studies from companies selected for the Fukuoka Green
Innovation Challenge project. A total of 84 people participated in the symposium.

Opening address by ISIT Director Sunao Yamada

Lecture scene▼Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Forum in Kyushu & International Hydrogen Energy
Development Forum（Feb. 2–3 Symposium & Joint Symposium ）On February 2nd and 3rd, the Kyushu University Research Center for Hydrogen Industrial
Use and Storage (HYDROGENIUS) held the “Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Forum in Kyushu& International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum 2023” in collaboration with theKyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry and Fukuoka Prefecture. HYDROGENIUS
conducts advanced scientific research on hydrogen materials aimed at the realization of ahydrogen energy society. The center additionally engages in activities to disseminate its
knowledge not only to academic societies and researchers but also to a wide range ofindustries.

Since 2007, HYDROGENIUS has collaborated with various organizations to hold the annual
International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum. After having to adjust to a new normal
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to hold this year’s events with in-person
participants for the first time in three years, supplemented by a livestream. Since its
inception, this forum has played a crucial role in disseminating information and providing aplatform for exchange, and we anticipate significant outcomes from this event that will pave
the way for the future. In the sessions for each technical field, domestic and international
researchers presented their latest research findings and engaged in Q&A sessions that wereboth technical and lively. The February 2 forum welcomed 434 participants, and the research
symposiums on February 2–3 welcomed 355 additional participants, for a total of
approximately 789 over both days.

Lecture scene

Closing remarks from HYDROGENIUS
Director Joichi Sugimura

HYDROGENIUS Research Symposium▼International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER)（Feb. 1 I²CNER Annual Symposium）（Jan. 31 I²CNER-IMI Joint International Workshop）（Feb. 2–3 I²CNER Thrust Workshop; CESD Kick-Off Workshop; SOIFIT, The Final Seminar）
The I²CNER Annual Symposium “Optimal Transitions: From Laboratory Research to the
Carbon-Neutral Energy Markets” was held on February 1. The symposium featured the latest
research findings across four research areas of the Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.-Carbon Neutral
Research Center (MCI-CNRC), which was established within I²CNER to accelerate theimplementation of carbon neutral technologies in society, and welcomed world-classresearchers from research institutions in America, Europe, and Asia, resulting in lively
discussions from a range of perspectives. The I²CNER-IMI Joint International Workshop,“Engineering and Mathematics: Where Do We Meet?,” was held on Tuesday, January 31,
featuring presentations on the latest developments on several topics, such as “Interaction
between flame and physical phenomena,” with discussions held from both practical andtheoretical perspectives. The I²CNER Thrust Workshop, “Toward Carbon Neutrality,” was heldon Thursday, February 2. The workshop shared the latest findings on carbon-neutral
technology from three different research “thrusts,” leading to a lively exchange of ideas. Akick-off workshop for the Center for Energy Systems Design (CESD), established inNovember 2022, was held on Thursday, February 2, and Friday, February 3. Presentations
were given by six research groups and featured participation from external collaborating
faculty members, leading to lively discussions and exchanges of ideas. At “SOIFIT, The Final
Seminar” on Friday, February 3, project members presented and shared their researchfindings to conclude the project. Approximately 400 people attended this year’s
symposiums and workshops over the four days.

Opening remarks from I²CNER director
Petros Sofronis

Scene during a coffee breakGroup photo▼Kyushu University Center of Innovation (COI)（Jan. 31 Kyushu University COI Sustainable Coevolutionary Society Symposium）
On January 31, the COI Study Group held its inaugural “Sustainable Coevolutionary SocietySymposium” online. The COI Research Group continues to carry out the vision-driven R&Dof the COI, which concluded at the end of FY2021, in order to further develop practicalapplications. At this symposium, each sub-group provided specific case studies on theprogress of their past efforts, with approximately 50 people from in and outside theuniversity participating.

Kyushu University COI Sustainable Coevolutionary Society Symposium▼Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering（Feb. 2 Special Seminar, Department of Chemical Engineering）
A special seminar featuring Prof. Jeng-Yu Lin of Tunghai University was held by theDepartment of Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering on Thursday, February 2.
Professor Lin introduced his efforts in fabricating new electrode materials usingelectrodeposition techniques for various energy-related fields such as solar cells andrechargeable batteries. He explained the mechanisms and theoretical background ofvariable particle morphology during synthesis under different electrolytic conditions (suchas potential, pulse variation, electrolyte condition surface modification, and other pretreatments) and introduced the improved battery performance achieved using thesesynthesized particles.
In addition, he presented examples of semiconductor field applications and provided anoverview of the current controversies surrounding semiconductors, looking at examples in
Taiwan, Japan, and the rest of the world. The seminar was followed by a heated discussion
during the Q&A session, with participants exchanging opinions on the possibilities for
expanding electrolytic technology methods and numerical simulation techniques for particle
morphology evaluation. A total of 30 people from inside and outside of the university
attended.

Special seminar by Prof. Jeng-Yu Lin of Tunghai University