R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

Research & Coordination Group
Members (As of Apr. 2023)
Isamu Yagyu, Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Makoto Nomura, Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Yuji Higuchi, Deputy Group Leader
Takayuki Higashii, Chief Researcher
Tetsuya Deguchi, Associate Chief Researcher
Yoshinori Aoki, Associate Chief Researcher
Jun-ichi Shimizu, Associate Chief Researcher
Kin-ichiro Kusunose, Associate Chief Researcher
Minehiro Takahashi, Manager
Noritaka Mochizuki, Planning Manager

Sou Kuranaka, Planning Manager
Masao Hoshino, Vice Manager, Researcher
Yuka Matsugu, Vice Manager
Yumi Kobayashi, Senior Researcher
Natsuko Yasumoto, Senior Researcher
Yuji Yamashita, Senior Researcher (concurrent)
Nami Tatsumi, Chief
Michiyo Kubo
Mizuki Nagata

Office for Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai
Members (As of Apr. 2023)
Isamu Yagyu, Director
Naoki Kikuchi, Deputy Director
Nobuo Umeda, Deputy Director
Tetsuya Deguchi
Yuji Higuchi
Noritaka Mochizuki
Minehiro Takahashi

Nami Tatsumi
Michiyo Kubo
Junichiro Kugai
Satoru Yokoi
Saeko Mito
Shoichiro Hozumi

Research Efforts to Realize a Carbon-neutral Society
The Research and Coordination Group aims to i)

April, 2023 in order to introduce the carbon neutral

searching for new research topics that enhance the re-technologies such as DAC, CCS as the innovative envi-

search potential of RITE, proposing and implementing

ronmental ones that RITE has been implementing thenew research themes, ii) government support for the re-

Research and Development for many years. The staffs

lation with international organizations such as IPCC (In-comprise the Research and Coordination Group, Chem-

tergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), ISO (Inter-ical research group and CO2 Storage Research Group tonational Standard Organization), iii) dissemination ofcommunicate with the Japan Association for the 2025

RITE’s technologies and Human development

World Ex-position and so on.

of thefuture generation iv) practical application of technology

In 2022, the Clean Energy Strategy2) was summarizedthrough industrial collaborative R&D, together with thein May, 2022 and showed the feasible paths to reduce

research groups. These efforts lead to a creation of new

greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in FY 2030 from its

policy implementation, R&D and innovation aiming atFY 2013 levels and realize a carbon-neutral, decarbon-the global environment and the economy .

ized society by 2050. Also, the Cabinet approved the1)The office for EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai is founded in13

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

Basic Policy for the Realization of GX (Green Transfor-development, ② the concrete approach of energymation)3) , so it is outlined at first.

transform of industry, ③the concrete approach of thedecarbonization of the area and life, and ④the policy

1.1. Clean energy strategy

to realize the GX.

In May 2022, Advisory Panel of Experts of the Clean

This transformation for the carbon-neutral society isEnergy Strategy summarized the interim report of theto transform economy, society and industrial structure

Clean Energy Strategy. The Chapter 1, based on Ukraine

consisted of fossil fuel since the Industrial Revolution toCrisis and electric stringency of energy supply and de-the center of clean energy. The in-vestment for the car-mand, summarizes the policy to secure the energy se-

bon neutral of 2050 is estimated with about 17 trillion

curity and also accelerate the decarburization. Theyen in 2030, and about 150 trillion yen in the next tenchapter 2 summarizes ①the industrial GX connecting

years under the constant supposition (Table 1, Table 2).

to the decarbonization with the economy growth andTable 1 Investment amount for decarbonization

Investment amount for decarbonization● Calucalated under certain assumptions about the investment amounts in major areas, the investment
amount required for CN in 2050 will be approximately 17 trillion yen in 2030 alone and approximately 150
trillion yen in the next 10 years

Decarbonization-related
investm ent

About 17
trillion yenper year

"Power source decarbonization /fuel conversion"

About 5trillion yen

Decarbonization of
manufacturing processes, etc.

About 2trillion yen

end- use

About 4trillion yen

infrastructure development

Research anddevelopment, etc.

About 150 trillion yen in 10 years✓Renewable Energy✓Hydrogen/ammonia✓Manufacture of storage batteries

About 0.3 trillion yen✓Energy saving and decarbonization of manufacturing

About 1.4 trillion yen

About 2 trillion yen
About 0.6 trillion yen

processes✓Introduction of industrial heat pumps, cogenerationequipment, etc.

About 0.5 trillion yen✓Introduction of houses and buildings with high energy-

About 1.8 trillion yen

saving performance✓Introduction of next-generation vehicles

About 1.8 trillion yen

About 4trillion yen✓System enhancement cost
✓ Infrastructure development for electric vehicles✓ Response to digital society

About 0.5 trillion yen

About 0.5 trillion yen

About 2trillion yen✓Carbon recycling✓ Development of manufacturing processes that
contribute to carbon neutrality✓Nuclear✓ Implementation of advanced CCS projects

About 0.2 trillion yen
About 3.5 trillion yen

About 0.1 trillion yen
About 0.1 trillion yen
About 0.6 trillion yen

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R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

Table 2 Step-by-step development of the GX League

1.2. The basic policy for the realization of GX

・ The foundation of the Energy Efficiency subsidy

In May, 2023, " Basic Policy for the Realization of GX -which can support investment project of plural years

the roadmap of the next ten years -" was approved by・ For 5 main types of industry, the government shows

the Cabinet. Advisory Panel of Experts of GX summa-

the indication of the non-fossil energy transfor-

rized the policy of the approach in the next ten yearmation

through GX implementation, to realize the achievement② Main Power Supply of the renewable Energyof greenhouse gas 46% reduction in FY 2030 and the③ Nuclear Energy utilizationinternational promise of the carbon neutral in 2050, to・ Implementing the next-generation innovation nu-implement the trans-formation of the energy supply

clear furnace in the site to decommission the nuclear

and demand structure to be connected for stable,

power plantcheap energy supply, to revolutionize industry and so-④ Other important matterscial structure of our country, and to realize the society

・ Toward production and supply network construction

which all nations including the generation can live withof hydrogen / ammonia, the introduction of the sup-hope in the future.

port system based on the price differences of exist-

Specifically, it is summarized as follows.

ing fuel(1) Approach of GX to secure the energy steady supply(2) Realization and implementation of such as "a① Thorough Energy Efficiency Promotion

growth-oriented carbon pricing"15

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

① The forward investment support utilizing GX econ-thermal power plant with CCS was calculated by RITE

omy shift bonds

based on the specifications of the Power Plant Cost

・ GX economy shift bonds were founded and the for-WG6) published in September 2021, in the case of trans-ward investment of the 20 trillion yen scale for theportation costs using a liquefied CO2 transport ship. The

next ten years was supported.

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry is② GX investment incentive by the growth-oriented
carbon pricing (CP)in charge of summarizing the results of these trial calculations. It should be noted that the prospects for③ Application of new finance technique

technological progress and preconditions required for・ the risk supplement plan (debt guarantees, etc.) in

the cost estimation are arbitrarily set based on existing

the social implementation stage of the GX technol-literature, etc., so it should be noted that the results ofogy.

the estimation may change depending on future tech-④ International strategy, fair transformation, GX ofnological progress.

small and medium Enterprises
・ Realizing the implementation of "Asian Zero-Emission Community"

2.1.1. Trial calculation
Figures 1 and 2 show the images of the 10 cases cal-(3) A progress evaluation and necessary review

culated. The case of importing raw materials as fossil
fuels such as natural gas and coal and using them in

2. Research activities

thermal power plants with CCS, the case where H2 andIn FY2021 and FY2022 (continuing project), the re-NH3 are produced overseas from natural gas and coalsearch project commissioned by the Ministry of Econ-

respectively, imported, and used in thermal power

omy, Trade and Industry "Survey project on measuresplants, and the case where H2 is produced from domes-for stable fuel supply (Survey project on improving thetically produced natural gas and used in a thermalCCS

power plant are calculated.

businessenvironmentandimplementation

roadmap toward carbon neutrality in 2050)” 4), and conducted a survey report at the “CCS Long-term Roadmap
Review Committee” in FY2022, so the outline will be introduced in the below.

2.1. Hydrogen/Ammonia and trial calculation of thermal power plant cost with CCS5)
In order to understand the positioning of CCS, we calculated the power plant cost when using decarbonizedfuels (hydrogen (H2), ammonia (NH3)) produced by introducing CCS and the power plant cost when CCS is
introduced into thermal power plant. The cost of power
plant using H2 and NH3 was calculated by the Central
Research Institute of Electric Power Industry based
mainly on the results of literature research. The cost of16

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

Fig.1 Trial calculation case of overseas natural gas + CO2 underground storage5)

Fig.2 Trial calculation case of overseas coal, domestic natural gas + CO2 underground storage5)

2.1.2. Trial calculation resultand policy cost. Social costs are CO2 transportation andThe trial calculation results are sorted by capital cost,

underground storage costs in Japan and overseas, in-operation and maintenance cost, fuel cost, social costcluding CO2 transportation and underground storage17

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

costs during H2/NH3 production. Policy costs are costs

reason is that under the conditions set this time, thecovered by taxes, etc. required for each type of powertransportation cost of natural gas and coal is cheapersource, such as the budget for technology development.

than the transportation cost of liquefied H2 and lique-Regarding the results of this trial calculation, thefied NH3, and the cost of producing H2 and NH3 frompower plant cost of thermal power plant with CCS (nat-natural gas/coal (energy loss, etc.) is higher than theural gas; ①, coal; ⑥) is cheaper than that of H2/NH3

CCS cost added to thermal power plant.

power plant (natural gas; ②～⑤, ⑩, coal; ⑦～⑨). The

Fig.3 Trial calculation case of Power Plant Cost5)

2.2. Overseas examples of frameworks for the spread of

2.2.1. Overseas examples of incentive measures andCCS7)

regulations

We investigated overseas cases to consider the introduction of CCS in Japan.

Regarding incentive policies and regulations for overseas commercial CCS projects, as a result of re-search-

In many cases, the spread of CCS requires incentive

ing projects in Norway, Alberta, Canada, Saskatchewan,

measures that can ensure the predictability of the busi-

the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, andness. In particular, when CO2 storage is aquifer storage,

the Netherlands, direct subsidies to CAPEX and OPEX

unlike enhanced oil recovery (EOR), business profits

mainly consist on combine support. Regarding OPEX

cannot be expected, so sufficient incentive measures

support, except for the United States, which has intro-are essential.

duced tax credits, many nations have introduced thatemission credits are exempted or granted, and carbon
taxes are exempted, but not direct subsidy.

Since allof these aids are intended for pre-ceding projects, they
are generous subsidies, and the subsidy rate is estimated to be around 100%.

18R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

Table 3 Overseas cases of regulations and incentives7)

Table 4 Features of Overseas regulations and incentives7)

2.2.2. Toward the introduction of CCS in Japan

thought that the total investment amount will be re-Many of the commercial CCS in operation overseas

duced by combining CCS implemented in Japan withare injected into oil fields (locations with a lot of under-

less additional cost for separation and recovery andground information) for the purpose of EOR from emis-

storage site development, making CCS more acceptable.

sion sources that separate high concentrations of CO2

CCS with such a combination can be a powerful candi-

in existing processes8). Based on this situation, it isdate, especially in the early days of its spread.
However, the emission source that separates CO2 at19

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

high concentration in the existing process is considered

make the reports, based on the literature or the scien-

to be relatively small (scale of tens of thousands of tons

tific observation data and evaluate / examine the scien-per year), which is assumed to be higher than CCS fromtific analysis, social economic influence and counter-a large emission source (scale of several million tons per

measures to control climate change. This outcome is toyear). CCS is an external diseconomy and cost reduction

have a high influence on international negotiations

is essential. Therefore, in order to aim for the wide-

since the scientific basis is also given to the policies of

spread spread of CCS in the future, it is necessary toeach country.

con-sider a hub and cluster that accumulates CO2 emit-

RITE plays the central role of domestic support secre-

ted from multiple emission sources, transports and in-tariat of mitigation measures (WG 3) (Fig. 4). The IPCC

jects it as a shared infrastructure. By adopting a hub andreleased the WG1 contribution to the Sixth Assessment

cluster, we can expect cost reductions through econo-

Report in August 2021, followed by the release of themies of scale, and we can also expect to reduce cross-

WG2 and WG3 Report in February and April 2022 re-chain risk* because multiple businesses participate.

spectively, and the Synthesis Report was released in1

Whether introducing small-scale emission sources orMarch 2023．The Seventh Assessment cycle will start,

introducing large-scale emission sources, in any case,beginning with the IPCC session scheduled to be held

for the spread of CCS, it is necessary to develop incen-in July. RITE has also been supporting METI through in-tive measures for business operators working on CCS toformation gathering, analysis, report, advise, etc.

be able to decide investment.

*1 Cross-chain risk: The risk that the suspension of operation of any of the collection, transportation, or storage chains will force the suspension of all chains.

3. Promotion of international partnership3.1. IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
The IPCC has been established in 1988 with a view toconducting a comprehensive assessment from scientific,
technical, and socio-economic perspectives on climate

Fig.4 Committee structure and RITE

change, impact, adaptation and mitigation measures byanthropogenic sources, jointly by the United Nations

3.2. ISO

Environment Program (UNEP) and by the World Mete-ISO (International Standard Organization) is an or-orological Organization (WMO). The IPCC examines sci-ganization composed of 168 standardization bodies ofentific knowledge on global warming and makes the re-various countries that gives the common standards andports prepared by three WGs, - Physical Science Basispromotes global trade. It can provide safe, reliable and(WG1), Impacts and Adaptation, and Vulnerability

high-quality products/service by utilizing ISO standards.

(WG2), and Mitigation Measures (WG3).
In the IPCC, the experts chosen among each country

In the world, a number of CCS verification projects ona commercial scale are implemented, and international20R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination GroupRITE Today 2023

collaboration is under way. International standardiza-

4. Human development and industry collaboration

tion of CCS can contribute to the wide-spread of safe

4.1. Human development

and appropriate CCS as it can ensure internationally

RITE conducts various human resource development

agreed knowledge on safety and environmental aspects.

activities to foster the next generation of re-searchers.

RITE is a domestic deliberation organization on ISO /Here, human resource development activities are ex-TC 265 (capture, transportation, and geo-logical stor-plained separately for elementary, junior high and highage of CO2) and is in charge of a secretariat of WG 1

school students and university/graduate school stu-(capture). Through these activities, we are actively in-dents.

volved in the international standardization on design,<Elementary, junior and high school students>

construction, operation, environmental planning and

It is important to educate the next generation about

management, risk management, quantification, moni-

the issue of global warming. At RITE, we are: i) accepting

toring and verification, and related activities in the CCS

field trips for elementary, junior and high school stu-field (Fig. 5).

dents using research facilities; we are working to re-

As of the end of March, 2023, twelve standards re-spond to class requests. In the class, CCS technology will

lated to the CCS have been published from ISO / TC265.

be picked up from the research conducted by RITE, andCurrently TC265 as a whole are becoming more active

the mechanism of global warming will be explained as

as seven documents are under development including

knowledge, and the possibility of leakage through thethree new projects started in 2022 and two systematicclay layer (shielding layer) even if CO2, which is the main

review projects. In particular, CO2 ship transportation isgreenhouse gas, is stored underground. In addition, ac-attracting attention as a powerful means of transporta-tivities are based on a learning cycle, such as deepening

tion from emission sources to CO2 storage site. WG7 hasunderstanding through consideration and exchange ofbeen newly established to deal with issues specific toopinions (Fig. 6).

CO2 ship transportation, and the development of standards has been started.

However, in 2022, as in 2021, the number of students
remained at 58 due to the impact of the new coronavirus (54 in 2021), but classes and workshops have resumed, and we plan to actively respond in the future.

Fig.5 ISO/TC265 structure
Fig.6 Human resource development by RITE
（Elementary, Junior and high school students）

21

R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination Group<University & Postgraduate student>

RITE Today 2023

The acquisition of such research results as intellectual

As part of efforts to develop human resources who

property creates opportunities for industrial collabora-will support next-generation research and technology,tion with companies, etc., and through joint research

RITE promotes educational partner-ships with universi-and joint applications, further intellectual property isties and graduate schools. We are developing education

generated through a virtuous cycle that contributes toat universities and re-search guidance at research insti-society. At RITE, we focus on the diverse functions oftutes (Fig. 7). For example, Nara Institute of Science andintellectual property rights and strategically promote

Technology (Nara Institute of Science and Technology)

intellectual property activities while taking into consid-

has set up a university-collaborated laboratory in theeration the market and other research and develop-

bio-science field at RITE. We are promoting researchment trends.

and education aimed at realizing are cycling-oriented

As part of the promotion of intellectual property

and low-carbon society using renewable resources. In

strategies, the "Patent Deliberation Committee" was es-addition, we have established a collaborative laboratory

tablished with RITE executives as members and thewith the materials creation science area, and are pro-public relations and industry collaboration team as themoting research and education on CO2 separation andsecretariat. The main agenda is the acquisition andrecovery technology.

management of intellectual property such as patent applications and examination requests, patent rightmaintenance, and intellectual property strategies suchas approval of license agreements.
As of the end of March 2022, of the patents for which
RITE is the sole or joint applicant, 17 domestic applications and 16 foreign applications are pending patentapplications, and the registered rights are maintained.
It holds 72 domestic patents (including 8 under licenseto companies) and 52 foreign patents (12 of which arelicensed to companies).

Fig.7 Human resource development by RITE
（University ＆ Post graduate students）

4.2. Intellectual property and industry collaboration
RITE strategically and efficiently acquires and manages intellectual property rights such as pa-tents andknow-how regarding the results of re-search and development, etc., and actively utilizes them for the public
interest. The aim is to advance and improve industrial

Fig.8 Strategic IP management and industrial
collaboration

technology that contributes to the conservation of theglobal environment.

22R&D Activities ● Research & Coordination Group5. Conclusion
In April 2023, RITE established the office for Expo
2025 Osaka Kansai, and is considering exhibiting negative emission technology (Direct Air Carbon Captureand Storage: DACCS) at EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai.
To realize 2050 Carbon neutrality is almost im-possible with ordinary efforts, and RITE needs to make maximum efforts to spread carbon neutral technologies. In

RITE Today 2023

https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/committee/council/basic_policy_subcommittee/mitoshi/cost_wg/pdf/cost_wg_20210908_01.pdf7） The third meeting of CCS long-term Roadmap, ANRE,METI
https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/energy_environment/ccs_choki_roadmap/pdf/003_06_00.pdf
8） GCCSI，The Global Status of CCS 2021

December 2021, RITE conducted the recognition survey

https://www.japanccs.com/wp/wp-content/up-of DACCS, and found that nearly 70% said they did notloads/2021/10/0-4-GCCSI_Jarad-Daniels.pdf

know anything about DACCS. RITE would like to makemaximum efforts to increase the public recognition ofDACCS technologies at EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai.
The Research and Coordination Group not only collects domestic & foreign policy and technology information, but promotes the technology development inorder to aim the social implementation in 2050 with Research Group. Thereby, RITE can contribute to theachievement of “a balance be-tween the global environmental protection and economic growth”.

Reference
1） RITE, “The Role of RITE” (http://www.rite.or.jp/about/).
2） Clean Energy Strategy
https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/06/clean_energy_strategy.html
3） Basic Policy for the Realization of GX
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2022/02/20230210002/20230210002.html
4） The meeting of CCS long-term Roadmap, ANRE, METI
https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/energy_environment/ccs_choki_roadmap/index.html
5） The second meeting of CCS long-term Roadmap,ANRE, METI
https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/energy_environment/ccs_choki_roadmap/pdf/002_03_00.pdf
6） WG for reviewing the Power Generation Cost

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