Announcement of Kansai Electric Power Group "Zero Carbon Vision 2050"
February 26, 2021
The Kansai Electric Power CO., Inc.
The Kansai Electric Power Group declared “Zero Carbon Vision 2050” on February 26,
2021.
In an effort to create a sustainable society, our group, as a leading company of zerocarbon energy, is aiming for carbon neutrality throughout the entirety of its businessactivities including power generation by 2050 in order to combat global warming,
while striving to increase energy independence to secure energy supply, with priority
given to safety.
Three key approaches to achieve “Zero Carbon Vision 2050”① Zero-carbon emissions on the demand side
With the enlarged role on the demand-side, the Kansai Electric Power Group, as a
zero-carbon solution provider, is pleased to provide customers with the best
available solution toward zero-carbon emissions along with supporting its
implementation across all sectors such as residential, commercial, industry andtransportation.
② Zero-carbon emissions on the supply side
With priority given to safety, our group will seek to achieve the best energy mix
which can lead to full decarbonization, ensure secure stable supply with anincreasing energy self-sufficiency ratio, and enhance economic efficiency.
Based on diversified social requests including promoting distributed energy
resources and strengthening resilience, our group is making best efforts to maximize
the introduction of renewable energy as a main power source, upgrade the powertransmission and distribution system, and maximize nuclear power where power
generation output stability and energy density are high with priority given to safety,
as well as working to decarbonize thermal power generation which can flexibly
adjust output to secure a stable supply despite the large-scale diffusion of renewableenergy. Our group will also look to contribute to decarbonization on an international
level.
③ Seeking to create a hydrogen- based society
As hydrogen is indispensable for a zero-carbon society, our group, as a key player
working toward realizing a hydrogen-based society, will tackle the challenges to
produce, transport and supply zero-carbon hydrogen with non-fossil fuels, inaddition to using hydrogen for power generation.
Our group will establish a system with the President to mobilize its resources tosupport decarbonization not only in the economic activities of our customers, but also
across society as a whole.
Every effort will be made through active cooperation with various parties, such as
customers, business partners, the government, municipalities and research institutes.

The Kansai Electric Power Group
Zero Carbon Vision 2050

February 26, 2021
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

The Kansai Electric Power Group Zero Carbon Vision 2050

1

Commitments Toward 2050
In an effort to create a sustainable society, the Kansai Electric PowerGroup, as a leading company of zero-carbon energy, is aiming forcarbon neutrality throughout the entirety of its businessactivities including power generation by 2050 in order to combat
global warming, while striving to increase energy independence tosecure energy supply, with priority given to safety.
In addition, our group will mobilize its resources to support
decarbonization not only in the economic activities of ourcustomers, but also across society as a whole.
These efforts will be made through active cooperation with various
parties, such as customers, business partners, the government,
municipalities and research institutes.

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

The Kansai Electric Power Group Zero Carbon Vision 2050

2

The Kansai Electric Power Group’s vision
for the 2050 energy system
With the dramatic progress being made in 3D+D (Decarbonization, Decentralization, Digitalization
plus electrification or Denka in Japanese), considered from the demand-side perspective, energy
utilization will merge into two forms: electricity and hydrogen, and the energy system will be
decentralized and diversified accordingly.
Considered from the supply-side perspective, energy suppliers will accelerate decarbonization(zero carbon) and likewise some energy users will also expand their roles as prosumers*1 who
supply energy back to the grid.

*1. Prosumer: A consumer who consumes the electricity they generate while selling any surplus on the market.

[Demand side][Supply side] Energy users themselves will own and use
distributed resources such as renewableenergy including solar power, battery storage,
and e-mobility, which in turn diversifies energy
consumption and transaction patterns.

 Non-fossil fuel power sources including
renewable and nuclear power will be introduced
and/or utilized to the maximum throughtechnological development/innovation andadvanced operations.
 Fossil fuel use at thermal power plants willtransition to zero-carbon fuels (hydrogen,ammonia, etc.) and CCUS*2 technologies will be
introduced to thermal power generations.
 Hydrogen will be produced with the utilization of
non-fossil fuel energy sources including renewable
and nuclear energy.

 Power systems optimized for local needs
become prevalent, such as stand-alone
distributed systems (micro-grids, off-grids).
 Energy will be used intensively as electricity orhydrogen.

*2. CCUS: Technologies of Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

3

The Kansai Electric Power Group’s vision for the 2050 energy system
Demand side

Supply side

Electricity and hydrogen

Electricity
Introduction and use of non-fossil power sources to the fullest degree and use ofzero-carbon fuels used for thermal power generation

Residential and commercial sectors are fully electrified.
Industrial and transportation sectors are further electrified, with zero-carbon hydrogenused to meet heat demand, etc.
Residential andcommercial sectors

Prosumers*1

RenewableenergyFullyelectrified

Solar
power

Introduction
to the fullest
degreeGeothermal
powerWind power
Hydropower

Electrification+ somehydrogen Renewableenergy Heat pump Storage
batteries

A growing number of energy
users turn into prosumers byowning and using distributed
renewable energy sources (solar
energy, etc.).

Transportation
sector Electric vehicles
 Fuel-cell vehicles, etc.

Usage tothe fullest
degreeNuclearpower

Switch to
zero-carbon
energyThermalpower

Zero-carbon fuels Hydrogen Ammonia
 Biomass Next-generation lightwater reactors
 High-temperature gascooled reactors
 SMR*2

CCUS
DX (digital transformation)
through AI and IoT technologies
Storage batteries, DC
distribution, etc.

Hydrogen

Off-grid

Electrification+ somehydrogenElectricity

Industrial
sectorOffshore wind power
generation, etc.

Market and businesses

Total electric
conversion
condominiums,
Total electric conversion
etc.
office buildings, etc.

Electricity

 Renewable energy
 Heat pump Storage batteries*3

CO2
Atmosphere

Underground storage
 Economical
utilization

*4

DACCS

Advanced power transmission anddistribution power system(Upgrading of power system control technology andcross-regional operation of electric power networks)

Hydrogen

Micro-gridProduction

Zero-carbon hydrogen production using
electricity and heat produced from nonfossil power sources Water electrolysis
 High-temperature steam electrolysis
 Production through thermochemical decomposition

Storage

Spread of distributed
power sources

Overseas
production

HydrogenDevelopment of resilient power transmission and distribution facilities supporting electric utilization (demand side) and electric supply (supply side)*1. Prosumer: A consumer who consumes the electricity they generate while selling any surplus on the market.

*2. SMR: Small Modular Reactor*3. CCUS: Technologies of Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage*4. DACCS: Technologies that capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere and store underground4

The Kansai Electric Power Group
Zero Carbon Vision 2050
Three key approaches
In order to achieve a zero-carbon society with an eye on 2050, as a leading company in zerocarbon energy, the Kansai Electric Power Group is committed to implementing the following three
approaches, mobilizing its resources and cooperating with customers, business partners, thegovernment, municipalities and research institutes, etc.
The Kansai Electric Power Group’s vision for the 2050 energy system[1] Zero-carbon emissions on the
demand side[2] Zero-carbon emissions on the
supply side[3] Seeking to create a hydrogenbased society

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Zero carbon emissions on the demand side

5

With the enlarged role on the demand-side, the Kansai Electric Power Group, as a zerocarbon solution provider, is pleased to provide customers with the best available
solution toward zero-carbon emissions along with supporting its implementation
across all sectors such as residential, commercial, industry and transportation.
Approaches toward 2050
Renewal of service menu
leading to decarbonization

Electrification of energy consuming equipment
in all sectors (through use of heat pumptechnology, etc.)

System solutions combining
distributed renewableenergy and battery storage* The residential and commercial sectors will be fully electrified.

Promoting the use of hydrogen,etc., targeting customers whoneed to meet heat demand

Advanced energy management,leveraging AI-IoT-technology-based DX,
storage batteries, etc.

Promoting e-mobility
and integration of energy solutions
with MaaS*5

Promotion of smart cities
contributing to zero-carbon

H2

Mobilization of the Kansai ElectricPower Group’s resources in the fields
of energy, telecommunications, realestates, etc.

*5. MaaS (Mobility as a Service): Comprehensive web-search and online reservation/payment services leveraging optimized combinations of public transportationand other mobility means, tailor-made to individual needs.

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Zero-carbon emissions on the supply side

6

With priority given to safety, our group will seek to achieve the best energy mix which can lead to full decarbonization,
ensure secure stable supply with an increasing energy self-sufficiency ratio, and enhance economic efficiency.
Based on diversified social requests including promoting distributed energy resources and strengthening resilience,
our group is making best efforts to maximize the introduction of renewable energy as a main power source, upgrade
the power transmission and distribution system, and maximize nuclear power where power generation output
stability and energy density are high with priority given to safety, as well as working to decarbonize thermal power
generation which can flexibly adjust output to secure a stable supply despite the large-scale diffusion of renewable energy.
Our group will also look to contribute to decarbonization on an international level.
Approaches toward 2050
<Renewable energy and powertransmission and distribution system> Promotion of renewable energy
sources to the fullest degree such as
offshore wind power at home andabroad Usage of hydropower to the fullest
degree and maximization of the power
generation output through renovationand development of power generation
facilities
 Upgrading power system control
technology through AI-IoT-based DX,
cross-regional operation of electric
power networks and introduction of
distributed grids (see Appendix [1])<Nuclear power><Thermal power> Advanced operational protocols
introduced to improve the operation
rate, with priority given to safety Shift to power generation using zerocarbon fuels (hydrogen, ammonia,etc.) Installation, expansion or replacementof facilities, with options including
next-generation light-water reactors,
high-temperature gas-cooled reactors
and SMRs*6

 Introduction of CCUS technologies

 Hydrogen production using nuclear
energy*6. SMR: Small Modular Reactor

 Establishment of a “zero-carbon
technology hub” to exploit hydrogen as
a fuel through the integration andcombination of approaches mentioned
above (see Appendix [2])Plans for new coal-fired thermal power projects will not be
drawn up unless plans comply with national policies andcontribute to decarbonization in host countries)

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Seeking to create a hydrogen-based society

7

As hydrogen is indispensable for a zero-carbon society, our group, as a key player working
toward realizing a hydrogen-based society, will tackle the challenges to produce, transportand supply zero-carbon hydrogen with non-fossil fuels, in addition to using hydrogen for
power generation.
Approaches toward 2050
Our group will seek to exploit all possibilities for hydrogen and actively conduct the relevant R&D,
demonstrations and evaluations.
Hydrogen production using
electricity produced fromrenewable and nuclear energy

Hydrogen production using
heat source of nuclear
energySupply of hydrogen, etc. tocustomers who need to meet heat
demandUse of hydrogen as a fuel forthermal power

Establishment of a hydrogen supply chain as
an energy supplier(See Appendix [3])The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Appendix

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Power transmission and distribution business for a zero-carbon society

Appendix [1]In addition to supplying electricity safely and stably, the proprietary technologies, expertise and resources of the powertransmission and distribution business will be leveraged and efforts will be stepped up both on the demand side and on the
supply side, thereby contributing to creating a zero-carbon society.

Information andcommunication

5G

Traffic

Retailing andmanufacturing

Smart community
Residence andreal estate

Application of powertransmission/distribution facilities
Urban planning andadministrationand data
Logistics

Disaster mitigation

Target users forDR

Energy service
providers

Energy businesscompanies in Japanand abroad

Application of electric technology
Micro-grid and offand expertise
grid operators

Next-generation
smart meters

Upgrading of supply/demand andpower system control technology
through data utilization

Nuclearpower plants
Thermalpower plants

Safe andstable supply
Storagebatteries,
EVs

Aggregator
VPP

Hydropower
plantsRenewableenergyPower transmission anddistribution businessIoT-based power transmission
and distribution networks
Smart poles

Customers

Finance andservices

Usage of zero-carbon energy to the fullest degree through the
integration of various resources via electric power networks

Support for selfdriving vehicles

Upgrading of power system
control technology
 Development of VPP using
storage batteries and EVs
 Promotion of DX using dataobtained from next-generation
smart meters
etc.
Cross-regional operation ofelectric power networks
 Renovation and strengtheningof grid lines and bulk powersystems to leveragerenewable energy sources,
whose ideal locations are
unevenly distributed
etc.
Introduction of distributed
grids Introduction of off-grids andmicro-grids for local power
generation and local
consumptionetc.

Next-generation automatedpower distribution* DR (Demand Response): A technology where energy owners or third parties on the demand side control their energy supply to change electricity demand patterns.
* VPP (Virtual Power Plant): A system to integrate and control distributed energy sources for electricity supply/demand management, designed to simulate the function of a power plant.
* Smart pole: A multifunctional pole capable of collecting and communicating information, with functions such as ICT (Information and Communication Technology) incorporated.

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

Zero-carbon technology hub

Appendix [2]Efforts are underway to review hydrogen exploitation models and to contribute to developing
CO2 separation and capture technology, leveraging thermal power plants in operation.
Cooperating with business partners, the government, municipalities and research institutes,
etc., the Kansai Electric Power Group is committed to establishing a zero-carbon technology
hub tasked with implementing R&D, demonstration and commercialization programs, theobjective of which is to develop and capitalize on zero-carbon technologies.

Hydrogen utilization
technology hub Hydrogen energy carrier supply
chains from abroad Hydrogen production (fromrenewable and nuclear energy,etc.) Hydrogen power generation
 Supply of hydrogen, etc. tocustomers
 Production of CO2-derived fuelsetc.

Hydrogen production

Carbon recycling(CO2-derived fuels)

H2

Cooperative
exploitation ofhydrogen and CO2
in the entire Kansai
area

CO2

Hydrogen power generation

Carbon recycling technologyhub CO2 separation, capture,liquefaction and transportation
 Production of CO2-derived
valuablesetc.

CO2 separation, capture andliquefaction

Carbon recycling(CO2-derived valuables, etc.)* Hydrogen energy carrier: Substances functioning as a carrier for efficient storage and transportation of hydrogen

The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

H2O

Electricity

 Industrial sector(For customers who need to meet heat
demand) Transportation sector

H2< Zero carbon>

 Nuclear power generation(High-temperature gas-cooled
reactors, etc.)

For use as a fuel forthermal power
generation

Electricity(Zero-carbon fuel forthermal power generation)

Supply and use

H2O Water electrolysis
 High-temperature
steam electrolysis
 Thermochemical
decomposition

Transportation

Heat

Hydrogen derived from renewableenergy Solar power generation
 Wind power generation
 Hydropower generationetc.

 Water electrolysis

Supply to customers

Appendix [3]Hydrogen derived from nuclear
energyApproaches to establish hydrogen supply chains

Production
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.