FY2018 Annual Repor t

Published in September 2019
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8126 JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3201-6601

FY2018 Annual Report

Fax: +81-3-3212-0080

E-mail: www-rdd-ml@criepi.denken.or.jp
URL: https://criepi.denken.or.jp/en/index.html

CRIEPI

Contents

Message from the President・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 2
Ⅰ.

Business Report１.

Outline of Business Activities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 4２.

Research Report
2–1.

15-Development of an Evaluation Method for Power supply-demand balancein Case of Disasters・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・46
16-Improvement of the Accuracy of Predictive Estimation for Strong Winds Using
Numerical Weather Model and Computational Fluid Dynamics Technologies・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・48

Customer Services
17-Development of a Tool to Estimate Power Consumption on a Regional Basis,
Considering the Ratio of Houses and Business Sites by Industry・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・50

Outline of Results・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・8

Environment

List of Research Subjects・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・16

2–2.

18-Development of a Simple and Rapid Atmospheric Environmental Assessment Method・・・・・・・・・・52

Major Research Results

Utility Management

Nuclear Power Generation

19-Analysis of Issues on New Markets Created as a Result of Electricity System Reform・・・・・・・・・・・・54

1-Enhancement of seismic performance verification on reinforeced concrete undergroundstructures in nuclear power plants・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・18

20-Analysis of Consumers’ Decision-Making Factors for Providing Personal Data・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・56

2-Development of element technologies for tsunami probabilistic risk assessment・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・20

Emerging Technologies
21-Development of Power Supply for a Sensor Network to Monitor Power Facilities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・58

3-Development of a fire protection design method for high-energy arc faults・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・22
4-Development of a highly accurate calculation method for core power characteristics ofnuclear reactors・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・24
5-Development of a method to support the optimal design of radioactive waste disposal
facilities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・26

Thermal Power Generation
6-Development of total management evaluation system for pulverized coal fired power
plant contributing to cost reduction・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・28
7-Development of ammonia co-firing technology applicable to pulverized coal fired boilers・・・・・・・30

Hydropower Generation
8-Systematization of methods for evaluating soundness and seismic resistance of hydraulicfacilities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・32

Renewable Energy
9-Development of high-accuracy solar radiation estimation and prediction system using
satellite images・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・34

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution
10-Development of supply-demand balance and frequency simulation models of all
TSO’s control area in Japan・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・36
11-Establishment of a method to Apply International Standards to Monitoring andControl Systems at Substations in Japan・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・38
12-Development of a Corrosion Evaluation Method for Transmission Towers, Reflecting
the Corrosion Environment at the Site・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・40
13-Development of A Technology to Enable Expansion of Applicable Scope of High-Voltage
SiC Devices・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・42
14-Development of a Calculation Program for Assessing Human Body Exposure to Radio
Frequency Electromagnetic Field・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・44

Ⅱ.

Financial Statement
１.

Overview of Financial Statement・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・60

Facts & Figures
Research Results / Intellectual Property・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・62
Research Network・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・63
Organization・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・64
Environmental Activities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・66

Keyword Index・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・67

Message from the President

Message from the President
The electric power industry is confronting major changes in the business environment in Japan.
Social trends toward decarbonization are having a signiﬁcant impact on the supply and demandsystem of electricity. Providing customers with new value is required for electric utilities inaccordance with business circumstances being increasingly competitive. Large-scale and wide-areanatural disasters occurred many times in ﬁscal 2018, reminding us once again of the importance ofthe resilience of electric power systems.
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry has been engaged in research and development
to address these issues. For decarbonization, we have developed technologies to further improve thesafety of nuclear power generation and the ﬂexible operation of the supply and demand system
under massive introduction of solar power. We have also obtained results that lead to the rational
formation of facilities for distribution networks, where dispersed power sources and power storage
facilities are being highly introduced, and the creation of new services using personal data, such as
power consumption. Furthermore, we have developed technologies that strengthen the resilience ofelectric power systems and the operation and maintenance of electric power facilities, thereby
contributing to the stable supply of electricity, which is the ﬁrst priority mission of the electric powerindustry.
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry will promote research and development by
joining the forces of researchers with diverse expertise. We will provide the electric power industry
with our research results in a timely manner. We will also actively serve society by publishingacademic journal papers and contributing to the development of codes and standards.

CRIEPI, as the“central research institute of the electric power industry”and“academic research institute contributing to society through scientiﬁctechnology research”, will support reform of technologies and systems relating
to the supply and usage of energy, including electric power, and continue to

Masanori MATSUURA

guide the energy industry forward.

President

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Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report3

I. Business Report1.

Outline of Business Activities

1. Outline of Business Activities
In ﬁscal 2018, we set 110 research themes and conducted research, creating various
results that will contribute to solving problems in the electric power industry and insociety. We also actively promoted research activities and spread the results and, atthe same time, continued to streamline and upgrade our operations and control costs.

■ Contribution of various research results to the electric powerindustry and society

・As of the end of FY2018, there were a total of 748 employees,

・Our resources are allocated with priority to R&D related to solving common problems in the electric power industry,including 661 researchers and 87 administration personnel. The

and we promoted research steadily to generate results. Speciﬁcally, we achieved results in a variety of ﬁelds in theelectricity business, including“Enhancement of accuracy of the seismic performance veriﬁcation method for outdoor
important civil engineering structures of nuclear power stations”in the nuclear power ﬁeld,“Development ofhigh-accuracy solar radiation estimation and prediction system using satellite images”in the renewable energy ﬁeld,
and“Development of a method for evaluating the balance between electricity supply and demand in the event of adisaster”in the electricity distribution ﬁeld. In addition, we have identiﬁed situations that are expected to emerge in the
future, and have worked on research to solve issues that are expected to arise in these situations and to provide newvalue. We have developed a sensor network power source that can generate electricity from environmental vibrations.
See p.18 to p.59［2-2. Major Research Results］(21 in total)■ Basic research capabilities
Administration
87

ﬁelds of specialization of research staﬀ range widely from

Research support& management 100

electricity, civil engineering and construction to socioeconomics(Fig. 4), and the number of doctorates awarded is 388.
・By promot ing challenging research and develop ment ofelement technologies, as well as long-term dispatch to electric
power companies and other organizations, we worked to train

Civil engineering& construction
122

Socioeconomics
37
Information &communications 33

Mechanical89

researchers both with advanced expertise and a deep

Environment 50

understanding of the electric power industry. We also

Nuclear engineering 51

promoted diversiﬁcation of our human resources and recruiting
with a perspective broad enough to include overseas.

Seismic response
analysis result

Electricity
101

Biology
34

Chemistry44

Fig.4 Personnel conﬁguration by subject
ﬁeld as of the end of FY2018

・We carefully selected and installed/updated large-scale researchfacilities essential to solving the problems of the electric powerindustry, such as the“supercomputer system”that helps respond to

Water intake

the growing scale and complexity of numerical simulation models
and promote eﬃcient research.
See p.15［Major New Research Facilities］

Tensile strain

75 m

-0.01

0.01

Fig.1 Example of three-dimensional nonlinear seismic response analysis of underground structure(p.18 to p.19［2-2. Major Research Results-1］)

Supercomputer system HPE SGI8600
・Under cooperation agreements made with overseas organizations, we
promoted mutual dispatches of researchers and exchanges of
information, thus developing our research network. In particular, we
strengthened cooperation with the Électricité de France (EDF) in ﬁelds
such as electric power storage, hydrogen, and heat pumps, in addition
to existing areas of cooperation such as nuclear safety.
See p.63［Research Network］

Annual meeting with the EDF■ Utilization of intellectual property, expertise and technology
Fig.2 Estimated distribution of solar irradiances
based on meteorological satellite images(p.34 to p.35［2-2. Major Research Results-9］)

Fig.3 Vibrational energy harvester using electric
double layer electret(p.58 to p.59［2-2. Major Research Results-21］)

・In response to requests for research based on individual issues at each electric power company, such as accidents andtrouble, we customized our accumulated knowledge, technologies, and research results for the actual conditions at eachsite and provided accurate solutions in a prompt manner.
・We worked on 71 commissioned research themes, including those commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and carried out
research that contributes to solving issues in the electric utility businesses and that challenges leading-edge themes.

・Through disclosure of research reports and academic papers, as well as implementation and licensing of patents andsoftware created by the institute, we focused on feeding back our research results to the electric power industry and tosociety.

See p.62［Research Results / Intellectual Property］

・In response to a series of large-scale and wide-area natural disasters in ﬁscal 2018, we supported use of the RAMP
(Risk Assessment & Management system for Power lifeline). distribution facility damage estimation system, which wedeveloped, at electric power companies, and conducted cause investigations based on scientiﬁc evidence, including
veriﬁcation of events through power system analysis.
・We contributed to formulation of energy-related criteria/standa rds and policies by participating in national andacademic committees. In addition, we conducted activities with an eye to standardization in global scale, such as
exploring the possibility of overseas businesses using the software we developed (eXpandable Transient Analysis
Program (XTAP), etc.).
・We concluded agreements, such as partner graduate schools, with 16 universities, and dispatched visiting professors andaccepted internships based on these agreements. We also made co ntributions both in research and education using our
specialized expertise, such as establishing and operating a social collaboration course by working with the University of Tokyo.
・We conducted short-circuit tests of power equipment such as tra nsformers commissioned by electric power companies
and manufacturers at our high-power testing laboratory. We also served as a“PD (Performance Demonstration) testingorganization”that conducts licensing tests for ultrasonic ﬂaw detection engineers for nuclear power generation equipment.

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FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report51.

Outline of Business Activities

1. Outline of Business Activities■ Activities of public relations■ Research base, operations, and cost control

・To gain further understanding of our research activities and their

・Aiming to strengthen research capabilities and reduce ﬁxed management costs through consolidation of research

results, we actively engaged in public relations activities, such as

centers, we are promoting alignment of research bases. To date, we have completed the alignment of the Yokosuka

holding the“Research Symposium 2018”with the theme of digitalarea as a“research base for technologies of the energy industry”. In ﬁscal 2018, as part of our eﬀorts to align the Abikotransformation. Also, NRRC (Nuclear Risk Research Center) invitedarea as a“research base for natural and environmental science”, we designed the details of the new main building,experts from Japan and overseas to hold a workshop and exchanged

which will serve as a hub for researcher activities, etc.

opinions on eﬀorts to enhance risk management in the electric power

・While maintaining a staﬀ size of 750, we proceeded on building new mission-critical business systems and outsourced

industry. In addition, we co-organized an international symposium onsome operations.

nuclear materials research with Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK・We worked steadily on controlling costs in both research and operations by continuously promoting competitive bids inCEN) and University of Rouen Normandy in France, and discussed

procurement. As a result, the ratio of competitive bids in procurement and construction contracts was approximately

future development of the research and international collaborations.
・We sent out messages based on scientiﬁc expertise on topics with highResearch Symposium 201833%.

social interest through press releases (8 items), various public relations
publications, SNS (Facebook), and newspapers and magazines, in atimely manner. In addition, through the video sharing site YouTube, we■ Rigorous business operation

distributed an original video explaining stable power supply technology
as well as a short video introducing researchers and research facilities.

・In accordance with the“Basic Policy on Internal Control”, we maintained and operated the“System for ensuring theappropriateness of operations”, implemented risk management steadily, worked to establish and improve complianceawareness among oﬃcers and employees, and operated our business rigorously to maintain sound management. We
also worked continuously on securing safety and health, thorough control of information, and appropriate security trade

Information through YouTube

controls.

- Indoor experimental system of galloping
simulation using sector model of conductor -■ Activities to local communities and in global environment■ Planning of future research strategies

・We worked on control and reduction of the amount of energy and resources consumed along with our business・To take the lead in reformation of the electric power industries, we deepened our studies on issues we need to work on,
which we identiﬁed from 3 panoramic views; total optimization of energy production, distribution, and utilization;
digital transformation; and risk-based technology systems, and promoted formulation of a medium to long term researchstrategies. Going forward, we will conduct research based on these.

activities, as well as on providing environmental education to newly hired employees, in an eﬀort to operate ourlaboratories. In addition, each regional laboratory had opportunities to open to the public to introduce experimental
facilities and give lectures by researchers. Further, we helped local governments with education for understanding
electricity and energy.

See p.66［Environmental Activities］

Overall optimization of energy production, distribution and utilization
From the viewpoint of achieving an economical decarbonization
while maintaining a stable supply of electricity, we have clariﬁed
challenges to enable further introduction of renewable energy. And,
we studied an ideal power system to cope with the spread of a large
number of small-scale and distributed power sources and batteries,
and the drastic increase in the electriﬁcation rate. Also, we identiﬁed
issues we will face when promoting energy conservation andelectriﬁcation through the construction of a carbon recycling systemusing CCS/CCU technology and sector coupling.
Digital transformation

Risk-based technology system

We listed issues we will face in the development oftechnologies that support digital transformation in theelectric power industry, such as next-generation power
supply and demand platforms, including distributed energy
management systems, and digital twins that constantly
monitor and simulate electric power systems, and promoted
studies about the environment for software development
and solution provision.

In the areas of nuclear power, thermal power,hydroelectric power, and electric power transmission
and distribution, in order to enhance safety and todesign, operate, and maintain facilities in a rationalmanner, studies were conducted on the deﬁnition andtypes of risks to be considered, on methods of using
quantiﬁed risks, and on common strategies for each area
toward the practical application of risk-based methods.

Research laboratories opened to the public

Example of education support activities

Deepening studies on research themes based on three panoramic views

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Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report72. Research Report
2–1.

2–1.

Outline of Results

Outline of Results
・We have developed a human reliability analysis (HRA) guide that describes methods of identifying and analyzing

We have carried out research on issues that the electric power industry faces,
and have also engaged in research that creates new value while assuming social
and technological changes going forward, and have produced various kinds ofresults.

those conditions such as physical environment or time constraints which aﬀect human behavior, especially plant
workers’ operations during a severe accidents. The guide also includes speciﬁc example of the analysis.
・By arc test using a full-scale power supply facility, we identiﬁed the threshold energy of arc beyond which
high-energy arc fault (HEAF) ﬁre evolves, and developed a design method for HEAF ﬁre protection, enabling
rational implementation of measures to reduce the risk of HEAF ﬁres in the safety power supply.

Research was promoted in nine ﬁelds ranging from Nuclear power generation to Emerging technologies. See page

Safe and stable operation of light water reactors

16 for the list of research subjects.
Following is an outline of representative research results in each ﬁeld. In sections starting from page 18, we will
introduce in detail research results that should be focused on in particular.

Improvement of maintenance techniques for light water reactors
・To evaluate vibration fatigue caused by ﬂow inside piping andSteam dome
(Upper part of the reactor
pressure vessel)

components, we constructed a simpliﬁed vibration stress evaluation
method that combines a simple sound source model for a side branch of

Nuclear Power Generation

steam piping, which is the main excitation source (acoustic source), and

Pressure [-]acoustic and structural analysis of the piping system (ﬁgure on the right).

High (+)

decontamination to selectively remove cobalt, a radiation source, but toAdvancement of the safety of light water reactors

leave zinc, which has high corrosion resistance, in the oxide ﬁlm ofequipment and piping in nuclear power plants where zinc is injected into

Enhancement of systems and structures to secure safety
・We had probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) of the domestic plants reviewed by overseas experts, and identiﬁedof component function failures required in PRA and developed a data collection guide after some improvements
through trial applications. These results are expected to promote risk informed applications in nuclear facilities.

・By steel plate perforation test which assumes tornado missile
against to nuclear facilities, we conﬁrmed that the previous
evaluation formula can conservatively evaluate perforation

applying the extended ﬁnite element method (XFEM), based on

A structural analysis
method that enables
crack propagation analysis
without subdividing
elements near the crack
tip during analysis.

crack (ﬁgure on the right).

results of fracture tests of stainless steel pipes with circumferential
・By incorporating the three-dimensional nonlinear seismic response
analysis method into the seismic performance veriﬁcation process ofunderground reinforced concrete structures, which assumes
emergency water intake facilities, as well as by devising andintroducing deformation indices based on loading tests, more
realistic and logical seismic performance veriﬁcation systemsuperior to the old edition has been established and become
practical.

See p.18

Advancement of core damage assessment methodology

A water pool for storage ofspent fuel at a nuclear
power plant. It is called a“spent fuel pool”in aboiling water reactor (BWR)
and a“spent fuel pit”in apressurized water reactor(PWR).

Load [kN]

Extended ﬁnite element
method (XFEM)Greater advancements in light water reactor technology

can calculate parameters related to the time variation of core power due to the insertion and withdrawal of control

Load reduction due tocrack propagation

600

Experiment
XFEM

200

0

50

100

150

See p.24

Establishment of nuclear fuel cycle technology

4000

of death for the same dose was signiﬁcantly lower at low dose rates.

rods.

800

Pressure distribution evaluatedfor the main steam piping of aboiling water reactor

epidemiological data with annual dose information. It was found the risk

evaluation of the whole core power distribution at high resolution. We also constructed a method theoretically that

impact.

fracture evaluation under a mixed mode of bending and torsion,

・Eﬀects of dose rate on cardiovascular disease was evaluated by using

・To calculate core power accurately for reactor design, the existing calculation code was modiﬁed to enable

Circumferential
Crackresistance performance of steel plate subjected to tornado missile
・To enhance the accuracy of seismic safety evaluations of plant

Spent fuel pool/pit(SFP)

Dose rate
Quantity of ionizing
radiation absorbed in aperson or substance perunit time.

Establishment of evaluation techniques for low-frequency phenomena

Safetyrelief

Maintenance and expansion of radiation protection systems

the areas for improvement to enhance the quality of PRAs. In addition, we have compiled data collection methods

piping, we developed a technology that enables high accuracy

Low (-)

coolant for the purpose of reducing exposure to workers.

200

Displacement [mm]Fracture evaluation of stainless steel
pipe with circumferential crack
subjected to bending and torsion(Top) External appearance of thespecimen after the fracture test
(Bottom) Comparison between theexperimental and the XFEM analysis
results (displacement-load diagram)・To enhance the evaluation of severe accident progression at a

Metal cask
A cylindrical metal
container for dry storageof spent fuel. Spent fuel isstored between metal
partition plates (basket)
installed inside of thecask.

・Strength tests and measurement of physical properties
were conducted on the aluminum alloy that has beendeveloped for the basket installed inside of the metal
cask. The results of them indicate that heat treatment
equivalent to the service of 60 years does not
signiﬁcantly reduce material strength or alter the
microstructure (ﬁgure on the right).
・I n t h e e v e n t o f a n a c c i d e n t a t a n u c l e a r f u e lreprocessing plant, such as a loss of cooling function,a generation of gas containing radioactive ruthenium
is presumed consequent to the evaporation and dryingof the concentrated high level radioactive liquid waste.
We have conﬁrmed experimentally that vaporized

spent fuel pool/pit (SFPs), a criticality map was created to evaluate criticality of spent fuel, taking into accountruthenium can be eﬀectively collected by using acomplex water density distribution which is formed by boiling of cooling water due to heat generated by the spent

speciﬁc solid adsorbent.

0.2% yield strength, tensile strength [MPa]A quantitative evaluation
method for identifying
vulnerability of a nuclear
facility in terms of safety,
which systematically analyzes
various potential accident
scenarios in the facility ascomprehensively as possible,
and rank them in order of therisks determined by the
combination of frequencies
and impacts of the scenarios.

Main steam piping

・Based on thermodynamic calculations, we clariﬁed conditions for chemical

Probabilistic Risk
Assessment (PRA)

See p.22

250

Tensile strength (initial material)
Tensile strength (overaged material)
0.2% yield strength (initial material)
0.2% yield strength (overaged material)

200
150
100
50
0
-50

0

50

100
150
200
Temperature [°
C]

250

300

Comparison of material strength of aluminum alloy
before and after heat treatment
Overaged material: A heat treated material at 300℃,
for 1000 hours equivalent to storage conditions
waiting for reprocessing for the maximum period,
which is assumed to be 60 years.

fuel stored in the SFP rack and by spray water injection for cooling of the spent fuel.

Establishment of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) technology
・We developed a probabilistic method to evaluate the amount of tsunami inundation water entering the reactor
building through watertight doors as a function of the inundation depth outside the building. We have also
developed some element technologies for establishment of a PRA method to evaluate the risk of a nuclear power
plant attacked by tsunami.

See p.20

Support for radioactive waste disposal operations
・A groundwater ﬂow is important to evaluate long-term stability of geological disposal. 73 grandwater samples werecollected from deep bore hole at coastal area all over the Japan. As a result, over 60% of groundwater samples
were older than 20,000 year. It shows that most of groundwater at coastal area is stable for a long time.
・To rationalize the radioactive waste disposal project in compliance with the new regulatory standards, aprobabilistic approach and the concept of radiation protection were compiled into the methodology of designingdisposal facility by which performance and engineering/economic aspects are rationally balanced.

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Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

See p.26

FY2018 Annual Report

9

2–1.

2–1.

Outline of Results

Outline of Results
Response to risk of disasters

Thermal Power Generation

・To minimize the impact of natural disasters on thermal power plants, we developed a method to estimate thevulnerability of boilers, which are important equipment, with maximum acceleration, maximum speed and seismic
intensity as indicators, using damage data from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Ensuring reliability of existing thermal power plants
Amount of shape change [mm]power plants due to corrosion of heat exchanger tube, etc., the tube

0.4

thickness reduction analysis method developed by us using a portable

0.3

Thickness reduction of
tube due to spallationof oxide scale

three-dimensional shape measuring instrument was applied to actual
boilers, and we demonstrated that the thickness reduction of the outside
surface of tube such as superheaters and reheaters can be measured

0.2

0.0
-0.1

side surface of the water wall tube, we incorporated a new model to thenumerical modeling of the pulverized coal combustion ﬁeld owned bywall tube, which is a contributing factor of the sulﬁdation rate.

Rapid leaching test method [μmol/g ash]monitoring system using a stand-alone temperature sensor that does not
require an external power source. We applied it to an actual boiler, andconﬁrmed that the temperature of power generation equipment andcombustion equipment can be monitored stably.
・For the rationalization of wall thinning management of the tube in theheating tube by an approximation formula.

-0.3
-0.4

developed a method to evaluate the maximum thinning rate of the・To expand the eﬀective use of coal ash, we have developed a rapid
leaching test method that can measure the amount of arsenic, selenium,
and hexavalent chromium eluted from the same specimen (ﬁgure on themethods for hydropower facilities. Applying these methods in theassessment of structural integrity and seismic performance of theaging hydropower facilities, we supported electric power companies
in keeping the assessment level and formulating countermeasures
based on the results of the assessment.

0.03

・For the understanding of a river discharge, which is required forunderground ﬂow phenomena as well as the model for accumulated

0.02

snow/snow melting, both of which are included in HYDREEMS, a water

0.01

method.

0.01

0.02

・The national government and electric power companies are making eﬀorts for earlier realization of the next

A high-eﬃciency gas turbine
combined cycle that uses
coal gasiﬁcation gas as fuel.

the case of introducing steam into a commercial-scale IGCC gasiﬁer and cleared the increase of 2% of net thermal

generation thermal power technology such as the integrated coal gasiﬁcation combined cycle (IGCC) that candecrease negative environmental impact. In order to improve generation eﬃciency, we analyzed thermal eﬃciency ineﬃciency of the IGCC.

Diversiﬁcation of fossil fuels
・To reduce operating costs in pulverized coal ﬁred thermal power plants, we developed a total management
evaluation system that enables comprehensive evaluation of operating costs, taking into account eﬀects ofSee p.28

・Co-ﬁring tests of pulverized coal and ammonia, which is expected a carbon-free fuel, was conducted using ourcoal combustion test facility. We found NOX concentration and combustion eﬃciency in the case of ammonia
See p.30

Response to large-scale introduction of renewable energy
・To support improvement of power supply-demand adjustment capabilities of thermal power generation systems,
we proceeded in developing a dynamic characteristic analysis tool that can analyze startup speed and ramp rate indetail. This tool can be applied to not only the gas turbine combined cycle power plant model but also steam
turbine system model. Analysis is now possible with various conditions changed, such as speciﬁcations andperformance of components, output changing speed, and control parameters.

10

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

1.00
0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60

50

100

150

200

250

Days

Comparison example of ﬂow
estimation accuracy

0.03

Integrated coalgasiﬁcation combined
cycle (IGCC)

co-ﬁring can be at the same level as in the case of coal ﬁring.

1.10

method estimating by catchment area ratio (ﬁgure on the right).

Renewable Energy
System resilience with high integration of renewableenergy sources

Thermal technology to mitigate environmental load

diﬀerences in coal types and operating condition on each equipment.

1.20

to estimate the ﬂow rating curve more accurately than the conventional

Comparison example of measured
values between the rapid leaching
test method and the oﬃcial test
method for coal ash(case of hexavalent chromium)

be reduced to approximately 1/3 of the time required by the oﬃcial

1.30

circulation analysis model we developed. As a result, it is now possible

Oﬃcial test method [μmol/g ash]right). By this, the time required for pretreatment and measurement can

See p.32

hydro-power plant project, we improved the model related to

0.00
0.00

HYDREEMSCatchment area ratio

・We have been organized the seismic performance evaluation

Thickness
reduction:
Large

Analysis example of water walltubes thickness reduction

・To establish an eﬃcient monitoring method, we constructed a remote

A power generation systemthat combines a gas turbine
and a steam turbine.

-0.2

Uplift by growthof oxide scaleus, and made it possible to predict the H2S concentration near the water

heat recovery steam generator of gas turbine combined cycle, weDisaster prevention and maintenance and management
for hydropower facilities

0.1(ﬁgure on the right). Also, for the prediction of sulﬁdation rate on the ﬁre

Gas turbine combined
cycle

Hydropower Generation

Calculated ﬂow/Gauged ﬂow

A method of generating
electric power by ﬁring
pulverizing coal in a boiler,
and rotating a turbine withthe generated steam.

・For the reduction of unscheduled shutdowns at pulverized coal ﬁred

・Dynamic model of frequency and voltage control functions, that are
Explosion crushedwood pellet

already in practical use overseas, are developed. By utilizing theseA type of reformed biomass fuel,which is a pressure molded(pelletized) wood after
decomposed by instantaneous
decompression of the wood heldin steam at high temperatureand high pressure for a certain
period of time. Compared withordinary wood pellets, they arehighly water-repellent and canbe stored outdoors.

functions are added to a renewable energy power sources such asmodels, system stabilization eﬀect can be veriﬁed when thesephotovoltaic power generation (ﬁgure on the right).
・Regarding the amount of solar radiation on the ground that causes
output ﬂuctuation of photovoltaic power generation, we proceededon developing a statistical method that incorporates
estimated/predicted results from satellite images and weathermodels in addition to the current solar radiation values. As for
estimation and prediction methods using satellite images, we
worked to make their accuracy even higher.

Sub-bituminous coal
A type of coal that contains
lower carbon and higher
moisture than bituminous
coal that is mainly utilized incoal-ﬁred power plants. The
bituminous coal is anxious
for short supply caused byincreasing demand in theworld. Sub-bituminous coal
is a promising coal becauseof its large reserves next tobituminous coal and its
relatively high caloriﬁc value,
but issues exist in terms of
quality and handling, etc.

See p.34

0.0Frequency deviation [Hz]Pulverized coal ﬁred
power generation

No additional function
1) Frequency control
2) Voltage control
1) Frequency + 2) Voltage control

-0.2
-0.4

1) Improvement eﬀect of the bottom/
destination point by
frequency control-0.6

Destination
point

-0.8
Bottom-1.02) Adverse eﬀect on the bottom/
destination point by the voltage
control (load increase due to thevoltage increase)

-1.2
0

5

10

15

20

Time [s]* Power loss: 0 [s], Power loss ratio: 5.2%
Relationship between presence/absenceof frequency/voltage control function
and frequency stability

Expanded introduction of biomass and geothermal power
generation
・As a reformed biomass fuel, explosion crushed wood pellets and bagasse (sugarcane pomace) carbonized pellets wereselected and evaluated for their applicability to co-ﬁring in coal-ﬁred thermal power plant. We found that it is desirable
to take measures in transportation and storage against spontaneous ignition equivalent to sub-bituminous coal.
・To expand introduction of geothermal power generation, we started research on operational improvements forsmall-scale geothermal power generation, and conﬁrmed that continuous calculation of thermal eﬃciency based onrunning data over time is possible by using our thermal eﬃciency analysis software EnergyWin TM even at
small-scale geothermal binary power plants.

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

11

2–1.

2–1.

Outline of Results

Outline of Results
Forming, maintaining and update power distribution
facilities

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

・As the number of wireless communication devices such as smart meters increases, it is required to assess human
exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic ﬁeld around the devices. In response, we developed a program

Response to reforms in electric power system

to calculate speciﬁc absorption rate (SAR) in the human body, which is diﬃcult to measure.

・With further interconnections of renewable resources and creation of balancing market, requirements to consider

Response to disaster and human risks

wide-area procurement and operation of control reserves is increasing. In this context, we developed a simulation
model that can accurately analyze frequency and tie-line power ﬂows of cross-regional interconnected system
under normal conditions by modeling the load frequency control (LFC)been developed and implemented in XTAP (ﬁgure on the right).
・We have developed functional speciﬁcations that provide a common
way to apply international standards (IEC 61850) to monitoring andcontrol functions for substations in Japan. The common applications of
IEC 61850 are expected to contribute cost reduction of systemconstruction and maintenance.

See p.38

optimiza

tion

Degreeof1

A computer program
developed by CRIEPI for the
waveform-level or EMT
simulations of electricalcircuits including powersystems. It shows advanced
performance especially for thesimulations of power systems
with power-electronics
converters such as PV gridconnection interters.

Pa

ram

et
er

performing multiple electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations has

ete

r2

ra
m

technique to optimize parameter values of such control systems by
XTAP

er 2

Pa

interconnections and renewable energy generation systems, a numericalParametoptimiza

・For the control design of ac/dc converters used in wide-area hvdc

PofDegreeSee p.36

er 1

et
aram

tion

of the central load dispatching centers and major power plants in Japan.

restoration, and implementation of proactive measures in the event of an earthquake, we developed asupply-demand balance evaluation method that stochastically models uncertainty regarding equipment damage
and recovery and demand recovery based on past damage records.

[mm]See p.46
・To rationalize design methods of power transmission and distribution
a method for reproducing/predicting strong winds using a numerical

20

weather model, organized a strong wind database for the entire
Highregion of Japan, and improved accuracy of a computational ﬂuid
conditions.

amount in each location of transmission towers. We developed an estimation method to judge the quantitative
See p.40

・For oil-immersed transformers, we developed a managing assets support program based on life cycle cost
evaluation by considering actual condition and maintenance. This program supports evaluations for rational
maintenance and cost cutting.

See p.48

10

・To rationalize the snow-resistant design of power transmission

Example of control parameter optimizationof a power system equipment

・Weather analysis and exposure test results were utilized to estimate the corrosivity such as corrosion rate and15

dynamics code when applied to areas with large changes in wind

The developed technique ﬁnds optimized parametervalues with small number of simulations.

Advancing preservation technology for aged facilities

30
25

facilities in response to the eﬀects of extreme weather, we developed

Formation, maintenance and upgrades of substations andtransmission lines

priorities in maintenance planning such as inspection and repair painting.

・To eﬀectively carry out system operation for supply-demand gap mitigation, strategy planning for equipment

Degree of
optimization
0.95 Low
1.16
1.38
1.59
1.81
2.03
2.24
2.46
2.67
2.89
3.1
3.32
3.54
3.75
3.97
4.18
4.4
4.61
4.83
5.05

See p.44

5

facilities, we improved the method for estimating the design volume
of snow accretion on overhead power lines, by including ournumerical model that can take a random shedding process into
account. This enables us evaluating the temporal variation of snow
accretion during several 10 years, and making a hazard map for
RAMP
A system that obtains
real-time weather andearthquake information
distributed by the Japan
Meteorological Agency
and others, and delivers
damage information
temporally predicted andspatially estimated basedon distribution equipment
information.

heavy snow accretion (ﬁgure on the right).
・For RAMP, a system for estimating damages on distribution facilities

0

Example of trial calculation of design
snow accretion thickness for a 50-year
return period (the maximum of values
for all directions)caused by typhoons and earthquakes, we organized facility information database of each electric power companies,
and implemented it on a common RAMP platform. This led to active use of the system by each electric powercompany to restore its facilities when a typhoon hit in ﬁscal 2018.

Customer Services

Support to streamline facility design and operate facilities
・To keep appropriate separation between overhead power line and vegetation, we developed a reliable method for

Promotion of energy conservation and electriﬁcation

evaluating the separation based on numerical survey of the 3D point-cloud made from images taken by low-costsmall drones, and also revealed a method for suppressing the tree growth using chemicals with less impact on theenvironment, enabling us to reduce pruning frequency.

・We conducted a numerical simulation of the cooling and heating cycle of・For the purpose of improving the lightning resistance and earthquake resistance of microwave radio equipment, we

the new heat pump system we devised for residential air conditioning,

constructed a microwave radio equipment in which the path connecting the antenna side and the radio side wasenables dehumidiﬁcation without dew formation as well as humidiﬁcation

its eﬀectiveness through evaluation using a prototype equipment.

without water feed, to ﬁnd out 20% of energy can be saved comparedwith the conventional air conditioning systems.

Next-generation equipment technology anticipating future facility upgrades

・To promote use of residential air conditioners for heating purpose, wedeveloped a heating CFD database tool that allows easy visualization of・For SiC power semiconductor device, for which wide expansion of its practical application is expected in AC/DC

the thermal comfort of occupants (ﬁgure on the right).

sources, we demonstrated that signiﬁcant reduction of dislocation densities, which can aﬀect characteristics andVisualization of thermal comfort ofroom occupants when the room isheated by an air conditioner

reliability of the device, while establishing a technology to grow SiC bulk crystals stably at high speed for a long
See p.42

Next-generation power distribution system technology compatible with greater activity in demand region
・We developed a large-scale harmonic analysis method that can calculate both inverters and distribution system
together, enabling us to evaluate inﬂuence on power quality of harmonics generated by the interaction between the two.

12

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Temperature [°
C]
16 20
25
30

indoor temperature distribution generated by heating air currents and of

converters and charge-discharge controllers for storage batteries used in interconnections of renewable energy

Response to changes in supply form and demand-sidechanges

M ak in g i t e a sier t oimagine everyday life bydisplaying it together
with furniture models

which uses a heat exchanger coated with an adsorbent, which in turnchanged from metallic waveguide to optical cable communication and optical ﬁber power feeding, and conﬁrmed

duration.

Color-coded display of
the thermal comfort level
for individual body parts(Warm: Red, Cold: Blue)OUCHI MONITOR KIT“House monitoring kit” inJapanese. A sensor kit thatcan easily measure andcollect power consumption,
temperature and humidity,
carbon dioxide concentration,etc. in a home.

Enhancement of customer satisfaction
・In order to create new services for households, we have built a platform to utilize energy information and life
information that can be measured by IoT sensors and devices (OUCHI MONITOR KIT).
・For rationalization of facility formation by power distribution companies and decision making for sales strategy byretailers, we developed a regional power consumption estimation tool that allows them to take into account ratiosof residentials and types of businesses.

See p.50

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

13

2–1.

2–1.

Outline of Results

Outline of Results
Environment

Emerging Technologies
Overall optimization through supply/demand coordination

Response to environmental policy and regulations
IPCC
U n i t e d N a t i o n s
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change. An
organization established in1988 by the United Nations
Environment Programme(UNEP) and the World
Meteorological Organization(WMO) to conduct acomprehensive assessmentof human-induced climatechange, impacts, adaptationand mitigation measuresfrom scientiﬁc, technical andsocio-economic perspectives.

CO2 emmission per
kWh generated
Amount of CO 2 emission
when 1 kWh of electricity
is generated.

・Summarizing issues that electric utilities should consider with regards to long term strategies for global warming

・To develop a supply-demand coordination technology utilizing electric vehicles (EV), we evaluated chargeablecountermeasures, using an IPCC scenario data base up to year 2100, we found further necessities to reduce CO 2amount of EVs during demand response activation hours as a countermeasure for surplus of PV power using ouremission per kWh generated and to electrify demand side to achieve the 1.5℃ and 2℃ scenarios.

traﬃc simulation. It was found that the chargeable amount of EVs can be eﬀectively utilized signiﬁcantly increased

・We succeeded in creating a novel mice model to evaluate the risk of childhood leukemia associated with powerby discharging to grid before the activation hours start.

frequency magnetic ﬁeld exposure by implanting a human iPS cell line, which was established in ﬁscal 2017, into
sever immunodeﬁciency mice.

Common technology for application in diverse ﬁelds

Eﬃcient environmental assessment

・For rational maintenance and operation of electric power facilities, we worked toward reducing the cost and・To reduce cost of environmental impact assessment, which requires a prediction of complicated behavior of
exhaust gas as stack of thermal power stations become lower, we developed a three-dimensional computational
ﬂuid dynamics model that can replace the conventional wind tunnel experiment, and conﬁrmed that the dispersion
of exhaust gas can be reproduced with high accuracy.

See p.52

・To eﬃciently understand the coastal ﬂow ﬁeld necessary forprediction of warm water diﬀusion, we developed a numericalsimulation method that can estimate velocities of surface layer
ﬂow in the vicinity of power stations more accurately by utilizing
oﬀshore ﬂow velocity data observed by ocean radar (ﬁgure on
the right).
・To eﬃciently understand habitat status of important wildlife atsites subject to environmental assessment, we developed aprogram that automatically detects and identiﬁes species fromaudio ﬁles recorded without human attendance.

improving eﬃciency of energy harvesters which is required for maintenance-free monitoring. As a result, wedeveloped the magnetostrictive vibrational energy harvester using an inexpensive polycrystalline Fe-Ga alloy. Also,
we optimized fabrication conditions of the vibrational energy harvester using our original electric double-layerelectret technology, and succeeded in generating 1.2 mW/cm2 from the low frequency environmental vibration ofless than 10 Hz which was diﬃcult to generate by conventional technologies, and clariﬁed that the fabricateddevice can turn on LED light.

[cm/s]
80 Simulated results before the60

application ofthis method

Major New Research Facilities

40
20
0

See p.58

Observeddata near the shore
Feb 12

Feb 13

Simulated results
after the applicationof this method

Feb 14

Feb 15

Example of surface ﬂow velocity
Comparison between the simulated resultswith and without this method and observed
near shore velocity data (February 2015).

Supercomputer system (Update)
We are conducting in various ﬁelds of research large-scale numericalsimulations of material sciences, structural mechanics, thermal hydraulics,
weather, etc., using supercomputers. For example, we have utilized these tosupport the restart of nuclear power plants, to evaluate the remaining life ofthermal power equipment, and to support disaster countermeasures for power
distribution facilities. In ﬁscal 2018, we upgraded to the latest supercomputer toeﬃciently analyze larger scale and more complex phenomena. This
supercomputer saves power while ensuring a calculation speed approximately
three times that of our previous supercomputer. By utilizing the updated

Utility Management

supercomputer, we will continue to promote eﬃcient research and create
innovative research results.
See p.24, 40, 48, and 52 for research results using the facility.

Response to energy policy

Helical X-ray CT scanner

・We demonstrated the non-fossil value trading market will not well function for feed-in tariﬀ (FIT) power sources
realistically, resulted in a failure to achieve any reduction in the renewable energy generation promotion charge,
which is the objective of creating the new market.

Supercomputer (HPE SGI8600)<Speciﬁcation> 660 CPU nodes, 26,400 CPU cores
Processing speed: 2.02 PFLOPS

See p.54

・Regarding power generation mix assuming Japan’s CO 2 emission in 2050 is 80% reduced from 2013, wedemonstrated that nuclear power generation capacity of 29 million kW is still required, even if the maximum
volume of renewable energy is introduced.

Our activity of geologic fault-activity analysis based on the observation of fault zone by helical x-ray CT scanners have been used inconformity review for the new regularity requirements for the restart of nuclear power plants. In ﬁscal 2018, we introduced thestate-of-the-art facility with the spatial resolution greatly improved. CT images by the facility enable more detailed analysis andevaluation of geologic fault activities, and we will continue contribution to preparation for the review for the restart of nuclear power
plants and continuous improvement of safety.

・With regard to personal data, which is attracting increasing attention with the progress of IoT technologies, wedemonstrated quantitatively importance of mechanism that allows consumers to select third party data recipientsand of clarifying data utilization purposes, in order to encourage consumers to supply their data voluntarily.
See p.56

Introduced state-of-the-art facility

14

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

CT image of a fault crushzone using this facility

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report15

List of Research Subjects

List of Research Subjects

Nuclear power generation●Advancement of the safety of light water reactors■ Enhancement of systems and structures to secure safety

・Promotion of Risk Informed Decision Making Process at Nuclear Power
Plants■ Establishment of evaluation techniques for
low-frequency phenomena

・Development of Evaluation Method of Fault Activity for Nuclear Facilities
・Development of Evaluation Method of Earthquake Motions for Nuclear
Facilities
・Assessment for the risk and hazard of volcanic eruption on Nuclear Facilities
・Development of Extreme Weather Assessment and Countermeasure
Technologies for Nuclear Power Plants
・Development of Tsunami Risk and Impact Assessment Technologies
for Nuclear Facilities
・Development of advanced seismic safety assessment technologies forbuildings, equipment and pipes of nuclear power plants
・Development of advanced seismic safety assessment technologies forgrounds and structures of nuclear power plants■ Advancement of core damage assessment methodology

・Development of safety evaluation techniques prior to core damage
・Technology Development for Performance Evaluation of Nuclear Fueland Reactor Core during Severe Accidents
・Research on Evaluation Technology of Accident Progression and
Related Phenomena after Core Damage■ Evaluation of impact of major accidents

・Development of evaluation method of radioactive material in environment■ Establishment of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA)
technology

・Development of risk assessment methodology for nuclear facilities
・Development of internal ﬁre and ﬂooding prevent methodology
introducing risk informed evaluation in nuclear facilities●Safe and stable operation of light water reactors■ Improvement of maintenance techniques for lightwater reactors

・Development of evaluation techniques for pipe thinning at light water reactors
・Improvement of preventive maintenance technology for light water reactor
components and piping
・Improvement of water chemistry for dose rate reduction
・Improvement of water chemistry management of light water reactors
・Improvement of integrity evaluation method for reactor pressure vessels
・Improvement of integrity evaluation method for core internals, piping
and other components
・Development of nondestructive inspection techniques for components
and piping in nuclear power plants■ Maintenance and expansion of radiation protection
systems・Quantitative evaluation of low-dose radiation risk and reﬂection toradiation protection systems■ Greater advancements in light water reactor technology

Thermal power generation●Ensuring reliability of existing thermal power plants

・Development of condition diagnostic and maintenance management
technologies of thermal power plants
・Development of on-site diagnostic technique for boiler tube failure inthermal power plant
・Improvement of remaining life assessment, diagnosis and maintenancefor boiler and steam turbine components in thermal power plant
・Development of preventing technology for corrosion and corrosion fatigue
on feed water and steam system components in thermal power plant
・Development of the hard clinker countermeasure in pulverized coal ﬁred boilers
・Development of preventing technology for sulﬁde corrosion on boiler
tube in thermal power plant
・Development of life assessment technology for high temperature structuralcomponents made of high chromium steels in thermal power plants
・Development of maintenance and management technologies for gas turbines
・Development of countermeasures for biofouling and jellyﬁsh invasionat cooling water intake structure of coastal power plant
・Development of performance degradation assessment and enhancement
methods for thermal power civil engineering and building RC structures
・Development of technologies for increasing use of coal ash●Thermal technology to mitigate environmental load
・Development of maintenance and improvement technology ofenvironmental facilities for thermal power plants
・Investiga tion a nd Eva lua tion of the inﬂuence on trend of theenvironmental regulation for thermal power station
・Study on technologies to evaluate the structural integrity of components
in next-generation fossil-fuel power generation
・Development of technologies to improve operation of IGCC plant andreduce environmental loading
・Feasibility study of triple combined cycle system based on pressure
performance of SOFC bench-scale cell・Development of technologies for expanded use of biomass in thermal
power generation●Diversiﬁcation of fossil fuels

・Diversiﬁcation Technologies of Fuel Types for Thermal Power Generation●Response to large-scale introduction of renewable energy

・Development of technology to improve load following capability ofthermal power systems
・Improvement of ﬂexible operations of coal pulverized thermal power
plant and estimation of the value of its ﬂexibility●Response to risk of disasters

・Natural disaster assessment and measures for thermal power plants

Hydropower generation●Disaster prevention and maintenance andmanagement for hydropower facilities

・Development of disaster prevention and maintenance technologies forhydropower facilities

・Technology improvement for performance evaluation of nuclear fueland reactor core

●Establishment of nuclear fuel cycle technology

・Development of long-term storage management technologies for spent fuel・Development of technology to improve safety and stable operationsof nuclear fuel reprocessing plants
・Safety assessment for overseas return waste storage
・Securement of options for future nuclear fuel cycle●Support for radioactive waste disposal operations●System resilience with high integration ofrenewable energy sources●Ongoing long-term use of nuclear reactors▽ Development of next generation power distribution network system▽ Development of power system technology contributing to transmission
system resilience with high integration of renewable energy sources▽ Development of supply-demand operation and control technology
using energy storage system▽ Development of accurate power output estimation and forecast
techniques of photovoltaic and wind power generation▽ Performance evaluation of stationary energy storage battery systems
for stabilizing power grid connected with renewable energy generation▽ Ensuring Consistency between Electric System Reform and Energy Policy●Decommissioning nuclear reactor facilities●Expanded introduction of biomass andgeothermal power generation

・Improving the reliability in long term safety assessment of low level
nuclear waste disposal
・Development and systematization of long-term safety assessments forgeological disposal
・Development of streamlined approach for the implementation ofradioactive waste disposal project・Technology development for metal fuel fast reactors and pyroprocess・Fundamental technology development for decommissioning anddismantling of nuclear facility
・Development of decommissioning, defueling and remediation
technologies for severe damaged nuclear site

16

Renewable energy

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

・Development of innovative technologies for promoting the introductionof geothermal power▽ Development of technologies for expanded use of biomass in thermal
power generation

Electric power transmission and distribution●Response to reforms in electric power system

・Greater advances in systems to analyze surveys and forecast economicand electric power markets to project demand・Development of support technology for widening system operation andreinforcing system interconnection

・Development of techniques to maintain supply reliability of powersystem under Japanese Electricity System Reform・Development of technologies related to electromagnetic transient
simulations of power systems
・Development of technologies to construct power utilities’communication
infrastructure utilizing general-purpose communications technology●Formation, maintenance and upgrades ofsubstations and transmission lines

Customer services●Promotion of energy conservation and electriﬁcation

・Development and evaluation of advanced heat pumps
・Development of energy-saving and electriﬁcation technology inconsumer and industrial sectors
・Research and development for electriﬁcation promotion of thetransportation sectors●Enhancement of customer satisfaction

・Development of Customer Satisfaction Measures utilizing Energy RelatedInformation
・Assessment of the value of next-generation electricity demand management
・Power Retail Business Strategies and Issues in the Post FIT Era■ Advancing preservation technology for aged facilities

Environment

・Diagnostic technology for overhead transmission facilities
・Diagnostic technology for underground transmission cable system
・Diagnostic technology for substation equipment■ Support to streamline facility design and operate facilities

・A study on rationalization of insulation design of the power apparatus
and systems based on the lightning risk management

・Solutions for electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic
interference (EMC/EMI) caused by HV substations and transmission lines
・Development and estimation of countermeasure technology for fault
currents to secure public safety
・Expansion of economical cleaning process for low level PCB-contaminatedequipment
・Development of countermeasures against wildlife causing trouble inelectric transmission facilities
・Development of maintenance and replacement technologies of communication
systems used for power system monitoring, protection and control●Response to environmental policy and regulations

・Research on domestic and international climate change policies
・Scientiﬁcally and economically rational scenarios to reduce CO2 emissions
・Health Risk Analysis of Electromagnetic Fields and Other Environmental Factors
・Analysis of environmental expenditures and source apportionment ofpollutants associated with air quality regulations●Eﬃcient environmental assessment

・Development of advanced and eﬃcient impact assessment methods foratmospheric environment
・Development of advanced and eﬃcient impact assessment methods forcoastal environment
・Improved eﬃciency of assessment of impact on plants, animals andecosystems and development of new evaluation methods■ Next-generation equipment technology anticipating
future facility upgrades

・Evaluation techniques for power semiconductors
・Development of high eﬃcient electric power distribution facilities fornext generation●Response to changes in supply form anddemand-side changes■ System resilience with high integration of renewableenergy sources

・Development of next generation power distribution network system
・Development of power system technology contributing to transmission
system resilience with high integration of renewable energy sources
・Development of supply-demand operation and control technology using
energy storage system
・Development of accurate power output estimation and forecast
techniques of photovoltaic and wind power generation
・Performance evaluation of stationary energy storage battery systems forstabilizing power grid connected with renewable energy generation■ Next-generation power distribution system technology
compatible with greater activity in demand region

・Power quality preservation and enhancement for distribution systems
with advanced customer devices●Forming, maintaining and update power
distribution facilities
・Development of evaluation technology on lightning risk management
and fault current countermeasures for distribution systems
・Diagnostic technology for power distribution equipment●Response to disaster and human risks
・Evaluation of and countermeasures against earthquake damage to
distribution facilities

・Development of extreme weather forecasting and hazard evaluation
methods for distribution facilities
・Evaluation of and countermeasures against damages meteorologicallycaused to distribution facilities
・Application of disaster mitigation and restoration support technologies
for electric power distribution equipments
・Development of cyber attack corresponding technology for power
equipment monitoring and control system

Utility management●Response to energy policy

・Ensuring Consistency between Electric System Reform and Energy Policy
・Analysis for economic impact and political, regulatory and legal risk of
nuclear power in Japan
・New Value Creation in the Changing Power Industry
・Structural analysis of energy and electricity demand

Emerging technologies●Overall optimization through supply/demand
coordination
・Optimization of advanced power supply and demand management●Trend of develop technology in an overall
electric power industry

・Analysis of global trends of technology development under changing
business environment in electric power industry●Common technology for application in diverse ﬁelds
・Development of advanced sensing technology for power plant components
・Development of high precision and high reliability analysis evaluation
technique・Trend survey of technology utilizing hydrogen
・R&D of Next Generation Electric Energy Storage Technologies
・Development of IoT solutions for Value Added Energy
・ Construction of Futuristic Technical-Platform for Mechanics of Materials●：Major categories grouping research subjects related to each ﬁeld■：Sub-categories grouping research subjects related to major categories
・：Names of research subjects▽：Research subjects promoted in research issues in other ﬁelds (listed multiple
times)

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FY2018 Annual Report

17

2–2.

2–2.

Major Research Results-1

Major Research Results–1

Enhancement of seismic performance veriﬁcation on reinforeced
concrete underground structures in nuclear power plants
Support for responding conformity review of the new regulatory standards for

Nuclear Power
Generation

nuclear power plants

Background
Nuclear power stations are required to maintain functions such as water intake from sea in order to cool their
the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, set stricter reference earthquake ground motion. For

The maximum intensity ofseismic motion that canoccur in the vicinity of a
facility during the plant
operation and is used asa basis for seismic designand safety evaluation of apower plant.

evaluation of reinforced concrete underground structures such as water intakes and intake channels. We arethis reason, a more accurate and reliable standardized review method is required for the earthquake resistancepromoting research to enhance the accuracy of seismic performance verifcication method.
Major Research Results

Major Research Results

reactors safely even in the event of a major earthquake. The new regulatory standards, which were established after
Reference earthquake
ground motion

Outline of Results◇ Development of a realistic safety evaluation method by introducing a three-dimensional nonlinear
seismic response analysis
analysis of deformation and cracks of underground structures that are assumed to be caused by an earthquake, andNuclear Power Generation

Nuclear Power Generation

We introduced a three-dimensional nonlinear seismic response analysis with soil-structure interaction for the
conducted a simulation analysis. Through validity evaluation by comparing the analysis result and a result of ashear-soil-box vibration test, we demonstrated that the method enables more realistic seismic response evaluation
than the conventional two-dimensional analysis (Fig. 1).

Toyofumi MATSUO

Structural Engineering Sector,

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory◇ A deformation criteria that enables rational performance veriﬁcation
Deformation criteria

Evaluation criteria used in conventional seismic design and performance veriﬁcation of critical civil engineering

Deformation point and its
amount to be focused inorder to objectively
understand seismic
performance.

structures were based on seismic response analysis of two-dimensional models and their accuracy was conservative.

Yoshinori MIYAGAWA

External Natural Event Research Team,
Nuclear Risk Research Center

Vibration exciter The facility is to apply loads and displacements simulating earthquakes to structures, enabling evaluation of loading capacity.

Therefore, loading tests were carried out on reinforced concrete specimens with three typical shapes of structures(straight, bent and butt-up sections) to obtain data on displacement and strain during the course of progressive
damage. Based on these data, we proposed a reasonable deformation criteria that is not aﬀected by local damage
or size/shape.

Full View

Input directions of seismic motion: 0°direction (Y Direction): 45°direction (XY plane)

Sand layer

200Seismic response
analysis result
Water intake

Reinforced concrete structure used in the loading test

Seismic performance veriﬁcation
guideline revised in FY2018

Bedrock
Groundwater
level
m

Z

0m

25

Y

Tensile strain

75 m
-0.01

0.01

Application Examples of Research Results
These results were incorporated into the “Seismic performance veriﬁcation guidelines, manuals, and examples for RC underground structures innuclear power plants” (Revised October 2018) published by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers. This method can be applicable not only to

X

Fig. 1 Example of three-dimensional nonlinear seismic response analysis of underground structure

critical civil engineering structures in nuclear power plants but also to seismic safety evaluation of wide range of general reinforced concrete
underground structures.

References: Matsuo et al., Japan Society of Civil Engineering 73 Annual Scientiﬁc Lecture I-330 (2018)
Miyagawa et al., Japan Society of Civil Engineering 72 Annual Scientiﬁc Lecture Meeting VII-015 (2017)18

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

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FY2018 Annual Report

19

2–2.

2–2.

Major Research Results-2

Major Research Results–2

Development of element technologies for tsunami
probabilistic risk assessment
Contributing to the voluntary and continuous improvement of safety of the

Nuclear Power
Generation

nuclear power plants

BackgroundThe new regulatory standards established after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
require the measures against severe accidents and continuous safety improvement based on their eﬀect. In the

Probabilistic Risk
Assessment (PRA)
See p.8

review of compliance with the new regulatory standards for restart of the nuclear power plants, the electric utilities
use probabilistic risk assessment to identify the signiﬁcant accident scenarios to be prepared for. On the other hand,
we are developing PRA technologies for the electric utilities to continuously improve safety. PRA is conducted
postulating internal events such as equipment failures, human errors, ﬁres and ﬂooding, as well as external events
such as earthquakes, tsunamis and tornadoes. PRA assesses the risk of reactor core damage due to these events

Major Research Results

Major Research Results(level 1 PRA) and, furthermore, radioactive material release due to reactor containment failure (level 2 PRA).
However, some of the related element technologies are under development. With the cooperation of the electricutilities, we are working on the development of technical infrastructure for level 1 and 2 integrated tsunami PRA.

Outline of Results

Nuclear Power Generationbuilding wall due to water pressure caused by tsunamis was estimated by ﬁnite element analysis (Fig. 1). Based on
the result, we developed a method to evaluate probability that the water amount entering the building through thewatertight door (water leakage) exceeds speciﬁc amount according to the inundation depth (Fig. 2).

2.5
2.0

HeightApproximately
2m

1.0

Watertight door
0.0

Enlarged image of thewatertight door

Probability of exceeding
speciﬁc water leakage amount

Wall

Risk Assessment Research Team,
Nuclear Risk Research Center1
Displacement[mm]

Hiroyuki YAMADA

95% conﬁdence curve
Median5% conﬁdence curve
Response result

0.8
0.6

Yoshiaki WATANUKI

Planning and Administrative Team,
Nuclear Risk Research Center

External Natural Event Research Team,

Nuclear Risk Research Center

We will contribute to the continuous safety improvement of nuclear power plant through development of PRA technologies.

0.4

Evaluation example of inundationin the building

0.2
0Masafumi MATSUYAMA

0

10

20

30

40

50

It is possible to evaluate the timechange of inundation. The rightﬁgure shows a snapshot ofinundation in buildings. The area
inside the building is drawn withthe thin lines. The inundated area
is displayed in white.

60

Inundation depth in front of the watertight door [m]Fig. 1 Displacement of the wall and watertight door
due to tsunami

Fig. 2 Fragility curve related waterleakage rate

In addition to the displacement amount of the wall andwatertight door, we considered deformation of thedoor seal material for watertight. Both situations inwhich the deformed seal is functioning, and in which
the seal is crushed and not functioning are consideredin evaluation.

The result shows that there is little possibility(probability) of water leakage exceeding thespeciﬁed level. The median and the 95%
conﬁdence curves speciﬁcally indicate little waterleakage at inundation depth of 50 m and 20 m
respectively.

Application Examples of Research Results◇ Development of human reliability analysis method considering inﬂuence of tsunami inundation
We have developed a human reliability analysis method for operator behavior at the nuclear power plants aﬀectedby tsunami inundation. Particularly, we have developed a speciﬁc and rational method to estimate the human error

The results are expected to be utilized by electric utilities as a shared technology to identify plant vulnerabilities and improve plant safety, and tocontribute to the continuous safety improvement of the plants.

probabilities of operating outdoor mobile equipment and closing the watertight door-to prevent inundation ﬂooding
into the buildings.
References: Kirimoto et al., CRIEPI Research Report O18011 (2019)
FY2018 Report on results of technology development commissioned work for developing common infrastructure contributing to improvement of nuclear safety(Agency for Natural Resources and Energy) “Development of infrastructure for risk assessment and research at nuclear power plants”(2019)

20

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Nuclear Power Generation◇ Development of evaluation method for water leakage through a watertight door
In the process of developing technologies for tsunami PRA, the displacement amount of watertight doors on

2–2.

2–2.

Major Research Results-3

Major Research Results–3

Development of a ﬁre protection design method forhigh-energy arc faults
Contributing to improvement of nuclear power plant safety through rational ﬁre

Nuclear Power
Generation

A type of discharge
phenomenon that occurs
in gas between twoelectrodes. It occurs at
low voltage and highcurrent, with hightemperature and intenselight.

When arc discharge occurs (High Energy Arcing Fault: HEAF) due to short-circuit, etc., of electrical equipment,
heated air may blow out of the electrical cabinet or blow into an adjacent electrical cabinet, resulting in not only
damage to adjacent equipment but ﬁre (HEAF ﬁre). If a HEAF ﬁre occurs at a nuclear power plant, it will greatly
aﬀect safety of surrounding equipment. Therefore, measures assuming a HEAF ﬁre are required for safety power
supply equipment such as electrical cabinets. We are developing rational preventive measures for HEAF ﬁre by
conducting full-scale demonstration tests, etc.

Outline of Results◇ Understanding of conditions leading to HEAF ﬁre
Arc energy amount
Energy amount in an arc
discharge. It depends on
the arc voltage andcurrent, and the durationof the arc discharge.

Using our high-power test facility, we conducted tests to generate arc discharge inside an electric panel on afull-scale 6.9 kV class high voltage electrical cabinet and 480 V class low voltage electrical cabinet. We made clear

Nuclear Power Generationfrom the test results that the conditions leading to the HEAF ﬁre are dependent on released amount of arc energy
during the arc discharge (Fig. 1), and the threshold varies depending on the type of electrical cabinet.

Koji SHIRAI

Risk Assessment Research Team,
Nuclear Risk Research Center◇ Proposal of HEAF ﬁre prevention evaluation method
We determined an equation for estimating the arc discharge duration that does not lead to a ﬁre from the thresholdof the arc energy amount , the arc voltage which is determined by the facility conﬁguration and the short circuitcurrent when an arc occurs. Proper shut-oﬀ settings for electrical equipment, etc., based on this formula enables
prevention of HEAF ﬁre.

Tsukasa MIYAGILarge Current and Arc Phenomenon Sector,

Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory

Cone-calorimeter experimental facility
This equipment measures combustion characteristics of materials, such as ignitability, heat release rate, and heat generation during combustion.
We measured the combustion characteristics of resin inside the electrical cabinet, which was the ﬁre source in the HEAF ﬁre.

50
40
Arc energy [MJ]

Nuclear Power Generation

Background

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Arc discharge

prevention measures for safety power supply equipment

30

Internal arc test

HEAF ﬁre threshold

We understood conditions
leading to the HEAF ﬁre by
generating arc discharge
inside an electrical cabinet.

20
Legend:HEAF ﬁreNatural suppression of the ﬁreafter the combustion started

10
0
0.0

No HEAF ﬁre

1.0

2.0

Arc discharge duration [s]3.0

Fig. 1 Test result of HEAF ﬁre by internal arc tests of a high voltage electrical cabinet
Tests were conducted using various electrical cabinets with diﬀerent arc
durations to check for HEAF ﬁre. From the results, we determined thethreshold value of arc energy of HEAF ﬁre.

Application Examples of Research Results
Based on the HEAF ﬁre prevention evaluation method we proposed, appropriate ﬁre protection measures are being implemented for electricalcabinets in power plants.

References: Shirai et al., CRIEPI Research Report, O18003 (2019)
Miyagi et al., CRIEPI Research Report, O18002 (2018)
Shirai et al., CRIEPI Research Report, O16001 (2017)

22

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Major Research Results-4

Major Research Results–4

Development of a highly accurate calculation method forcore power characteristics of nuclear reactors
Contributing to safer reactor design

Nuclear Power
Generation

Continuous energyMonte Carlo method(MC method)
A calculation method forreactions between neutrons
and nuclei, which occur
stochastically, by using
simulation technique (Monte
Carlo method) with a random
number.

A design code is used to evaluate reactor properties at the time of refueling or introduction of new type fuels. Whenthe latest knowledge is reﬂected in the design code, veriﬁcation, for which it is compared with high ﬁdelity
calculation of core power distribution, etc., is required. Since the continuous energy Monte Carlo method (MCmethod), which has been regarded a high ﬁdelity calculation method for this purpose, requires a great deal of
calculation costs, it is essential to devise methods for calculations such as power distribution in a whole reactor coreand composition of spent fuel. In addition, conventional the MC method was unable to calculate the reactor kinetics
parameters that characterize the time variation of core power. To contribute to the veriﬁcation of design codes, weare developing and expanding a calculation method for core characteristics using the MC method.

Outline of Results◇ Resolution enhancement of power distribution for the whole core
We evaluated power distribution in the whole core three dimensionally in high resolution by extending the existing
domestic MC code into a 64 bit version program, which enables large-scale computation, such as dividing each fuelNuclear Power Generation

Nuclear Power Generation

A calculation program used
to evaluate shut down
margin, fuel temperature, andwhether a reactor can be
operated for a planned
period. Generally applied toanalytical derivation oftechnical data necessary forthe license application of
nuclear facilities inaccordance with laws andregulations.

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Design code

Backgroundrod in the whole core into ﬁne meshes vertically (Fig. 1).

◇ Calculation of burnup distribution of spent fuelBurnupConsidering inﬂow and outﬂow of neutrons between fuel assemblies by the MC method, calculation of nuclide

Thermal energy release perunit fuel weight generated
by ﬁssion reactions while
the fuel stays in the reactor.

enabled (Fig. 2).

compositions such as uranium and plutonium that reﬂect the variation in burnup of adjacent fuel assemblies is◇ Development of calculation method for reactor kinetics parameters

Yasushi NAUCHI / Shunsuke SATO / Motomu SUZUKI

Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Core Sector, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory
We contribute to safer reactor design by improving accuracy of calculation methods for power distributions in reactor core.

We built up a theory and calculation methods of reactor kinetics parameters, which characterizes time variation ofcore power due to insertion and withdrawal of control rods into the core, and implement the method into a MC

Leak out

method code and, in addition, we conducted veriﬁcation and validation jointly with the French Alternative Energies
and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). This method has been implemented into the MC code in France, the United

Fission

Scattering

Fission

Scattering

FissionCaptureStates, China, and other countries, and has become a global standard.

2.0

1.5

Radioactive
decay
CapturePWR
Per 17 x 17 fuel rods

Leak out

NeutronTracks reaction between neutrons and nuclei one by one in astochastic manner, and calculates spatial distribution of ﬁssion ina reactor and time variation of ﬁssion chain reactions.

Application Examples of Research Results

0.5

0.0

Relative power distribution

Calculation results based on these results will be provided as reference solutions for veriﬁcation of reactor design codes, and the calculation and
Low ← Fuel rod burnup → High

Fig. 1 Calculation example of power distribution
for the whole coreFig. 2 Calculation example of burnup
distribution of spent fuelAssuming a core of a pressurized water reactor(PWR), we divided more than 50,000 fuel rods into
24 regions vertically and calculated the power
distribution with high resolution.

Asymmetric burnup distribution inﬂuenced bysurrounding fuel assemblies with diﬀerent burnups
can be calculated for PWR fuel assemblies (17 x
17 fuel rods).

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

Nucleussuch as boron

Delayed neutron precursor

Leak out

Conceptual diagram of continuous energy Monte Carlo method

1.0

24

Nucleus suchas hydrogen

Time delay

CaptureNucleusproducedby ﬁssionof uranium,
etc.

FY2018 Annual Report

the results are expected to contribute to safer reactor design by encouraging introduction of the latest knowledge into the design codes.

References: Sato et al., CRIEPI Research Report L18001 (2019)
Nauchi et al., Proc. of PHYSOR2018 (2018)
Suzuki et al., Proc. of M&C2017 (2017)

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Major Research Results-5

Major Research Results–5

Development of a method to support the optimal designof radioactive waste disposal facilities
Contributing to implementation of disposal projects in compliance with the new

Nuclear Power
Generation

ALARA
An abbreviation for “As
Low As Reasonably
Achievable”, whichindicates the basic conceptof radiation protection
provided by theInternational Commission
on Radiological Protection(ICRP).

When regulatory standards concerning the intermediate depth disposal of some low-level radioactive waste isrevised, the concept of “keep as low as reasonably achievable, taking into account social and economic factors(ALARA)” is determined to be applied to radiation exposure. This implies a shift from compliance with conventional
deterministic dose standards to an approach that represents optimization of radiation protection. To support
reasonable designing of disposal facilities in line with this new concept, we are developing a safety assessment
method based on the concept of optimization of radiation protection.

Outline of Results◇ Application of a probabilistic approach to the design of a disposal facility
By applying a probabilistic approach to a technical specification design of a disposal facility, we developed a method
to visualize and compare options of facility specifications from viewpoints of disposal facility performance as well as
load of quality control and economic burden (Fig. 1 (a)).

Daisuke SUGIYAMA / Ryo NAKABAYASHI◇ Proposal of a selection method for design of a disposal facility

Radiation Safety Research Center,In the optimization of radiation protection, it is desirable that the individual exposure dose is kept as low as reasonably

Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory

achievable below the dose criterion (dose constraint), and that the distribution width is narrow and the individual
difference (inequity) is small (Fig. 1 (b)). Combining the technical/economic impact of the facility specifications
mentioned above and the optimization of radiation protection, we developed a method that enables selection of areasonable facility design that achieves ALARA (Fig. 1 (c)).

(a) Visualization of options for technical facility speciﬁcations

Probability
density

Probability density(Example) Diﬀusion coeﬃcient of concrete barrier [m2/s]

10-8

Number of
exposed individuals

Level of exposure

Dose constraint

Optimization of protection

Radioactive waste

Depth of 70 m
or moreConcept of intermediate depth disposal

10-4

100

Maximum exposure dose [mSv/y]
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3(b) Concept for optimization of radiation protection✓Distribution width should be reduced as well as the individual
exposure dose below the dose constraint.

Option 3

10-10

Option 2

10-12

Comparison of options

Option 1

Option 3

Option 2

Option 1

10-14

Technical andeconomic
burdenExposure
dose value
Width ofexposure dose
distribution

High

MediumRelatively
Relatively
Comparative
high
Low
Large

MediumSmall

In a disposal projects, several alternative options can be assessed for barriers to isolate radioactive waste from thesurrounding environment in terms of its performance, technical experiences in development and quality control, andeconomic burden. To achieve ALARA, the optimal option shall be selected by making quantitative evaluation ofbalance between magnitude (barrier performance) and distribution width (quality control, etc.) of the maximum
exposure dose assessed.

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Disposal facilities using materials such asconcrete and bentonite (clay material)
are installed in underground cavities todispose waste.

Low

Fig. 1 Concept of the method to optimize design of a disposal facility

26

By developing safety assessment methods based on the concept for optimization of radiation protection, we support design optimization ofradioactive waste disposal facilities.

(c) Assessment of the maximum exposure dose corresponding
to each option in the facility speciﬁcation
Dose criterion(dose constraint)

High performance and high cost Rational performance and low cost
(Heavier burden of development (improvement of quality control
and quality control)and economic rationality)

Nuclear Power Generation

Nuclear Power Generation

A method of disposing
low-level radioactive wastewith relatively highradioactivity at a depth withenough margin comparedwith the depth for general
underground use. Securing
a depth of 70 m or more isrequired for at least
100,000 years in the futureeven at the presence oferosion.

Background

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Intermediate depth
disposal

regulatory standards

Application Examples of Research Results
Safety assessment methods developed in this study are being organized as an academic technological methodology through publication ofacademic papers. It is also being incorporated into the standards of the Japan Atomic Energy Society and is expected to be used as a guideline forregulatory compliance when applications for disposal projects are submitted.

References: Nakabayashi et al., Japanese Journal of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Vol. 8, p. 6 (2019)
Ogino et al., Japanese Journal of Health Physics, in press (2019)
Nakabayashi et al., Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Vol. 55, p. 335 (2018)

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Major Research Results-6

Major Research Results–6

Development of total management evaluation system forpulverized coal ﬁred power plant contributing to cost reduction
Contributing to diversiﬁcation of coal types and reduction of operating costs in

Thermal Power
Generation
Pulverized coal ﬁred
power generation
See p.10

pulverized coal ﬁred power plants

BackgroundIn pulverized coal ﬁred power plants, not only cost reduction but also securing a stable fuel supply are important for
power generation. From the view point of cost reduction of fuel, demand for sub-bituminous coal increases.
However, as the type of coal and its operating condition inﬂuence boiler eﬃciency, ash disposal cost, and otherfactors, low-grade coal may not lead to cost reduction. We investigate to contribute to total cost reduction throughoptimization of operating condition for each type of coal in a pulverized coal ﬁred power plant.

Sub-bituminous coal
Major Research Results

Major Research Results

See p.11

Outline of Results◇ Development of total management evaluation system for pulverized coal ﬁred power plant
We developed a total management evaluation system for pulverized coal ﬁred power plant, which calculates cost

Thermal Power Generation

Thermal Power Generation

beneﬁts, CO₂ emissions, as well as boiler eﬃciency and gas temperature and other factors directly, by forecasting
situations for each piece of equipment that are caused by types of coal ﬁred in thermal power plants and its
operating condition (Fig. 1). This system is software that runs on an usual PC, etc., with the Microsoft® Oﬃce Excel®

Nobuyuki WAKABAYASHI

and is designed to allow addition and improvement of evaluation items and functions as required individual

Thermal Power Plant Operation and Maintenance Sector,

speciﬁcations of a power plant. Using this system, analysis of each operating case in a pulverized coal ﬁred power

Energy Engineering Research Laboratory

plant for each type of coal enables to establish the operation guideline for total cost reduction, and helps inunderstanding equipment status by comparing estimated values with actual operation data.

Coal combustion test facility
It has a mill, furnace with three staged burners, ﬂue gas treatment equipment, etc., and evaluates various type of solid fuels in the same grinding,combustion and gas ﬂow process as actual pulverized coal ﬁred power plants
Grindability

Ash deposition andsulﬁde corrosion

Spontaneous
ignition
Fuel property

ESP

Operatingconditions

Coal
storage

Equipment
speciﬁcations

Input

Dust and Exhausted
volume of CO₂

Boiler eﬃciency
Gas temperature

Boiler

NOX
SOX

Stack
Ash property

Identiﬁcation of issues/
study of improvement measures/feedback

De-SOx

De-NOxMill

Combustibility

Calculation

Trace elements

Cost of power generation
Fuel cost
Ash disposal cost
Ammonia cost

Wastewater, gypsum

Output (evaluation items for each equipment)

Income from sales of valuables
Revenue from sales of valuable ash● Actual Value

Revenue from sales of desulfurized
gypsum● Actual operation

Comparison

Output (cost)

Fig. 1 Image of evaluation system for coal ﬁred power plant management
It can calculate eﬃciency, power on each equipment and emission characteristics such as NOX, which depend
on fuel properties, operating conditions, equipment speciﬁcations, and a type of coal in pulverized coal ﬁred
power plants, and it can also calculate related cost items.

● Estimation by theevaluation system● Estimated result

Application image of this evaluation system

Application Examples of Research Results
The total management evaluation system for pulverized coal ﬁred power plant can be used as an eﬀective tool to evaluate applicability andoptimum (economical) operation for low-grade coal in pulverized coal ﬁred power plants. The next step is to contribute to cost reduction by
applying this technology to actual power plants.

References： Wakabayashi, et al., CRIEPI Research Report M15007 (2016)

28

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2–2.

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Major Research Results-7

Major Research Results–7

Development of ammonia co-ﬁring technology
applicable to pulverized coal ﬁred boilers
Contributing to reducing CO 2 emissions by using carbon-free fuels

Thermal Power
Generation

BackgroundTo realize a low-carbon society that signiﬁcantly reduces CO₂ emissions, it is desirable to establish a system thatconverts renewable energy into hydrogen or hydrogen-containing chemical substances (energy carrier) and returnthem to energy appropriately as required. Ammonia (NH₃), one of the energy carriers, has high expectations as acarbon-free fuel because of its advantage for storage and transportation properties. As a means of using ammonia
as fuel, a co-ﬁring method by which ammonia is used as part of fuel at an existing pulverized coal ﬁred power plantis studied. In order to apply ammonia co-ﬁring method to existing pulverized coal ﬁred power plants, we clarify

Major Research Results◇ Impact of ammonia injection on pulverized coal combustion

Major Research Results

emissions*.

Thermal Power Generation

characteristics of NO X emission caused by nitrogen in ammonia and develop technologies to reduce NO X
* This research was conducted with ﬁnancial support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Outline of Results

three staged burners equally using a coal combustion test furnace (Fig. 1). We identiﬁed that NOX concentration at

Akira YAMAMOTO

Thermal Power Plant Operation and Maintenance Sector,
Energy Engineering Research Laboratory

the exit of furnace tends to increase slightly with the increase of co-ﬁring ratio of ammonia, but the conversion ratioof nitrogen content in ammonia to NOX is extremely low (Fig. 2). Furthermore, we found that there was almost no
unburned ammonia even in case of co-ﬁring with 20% ammonia, and that the combustion eﬃciency of combustible

NH3
0～20%
Pulverized
coal

150
0.4

100

0.2

50
0

0

0.0
5
10
15
20
Ammonia co-ﬁring rate [%]Coal combustion test facility
The coal combustion test furnace with single burner mainly used for preliminary study of inﬂuence of three staged burners. We are investigating
and developing ammonia co-ﬁring technology using two coal combustion test facilities.

100

Combustion eﬃciency of
combustible matter [%]for all burners

1.0* Calculated with an assumption that conversion
ratio of N in coal to NOx is same as in the case250
0.8
of coal combustion without
NH3 injection
200
0.6
300

Conversion ratio of N content inammonia to NOX* [%]Equal NH₃ injection

NOx concentration at the exit of
furnace (dry, O₂ 6%) [ppm]matter was same as that in case of coal combustion without an ammonia injection (Fig. 3).

Thermal Power Generation

We evaluated co-ﬁring characteristics using a coal combustion test furnace, in which ammonia was injected throughFig. 1 Injection method of ammonia
Fig. 2 Inﬂuence of ammonia co-ﬁring rate on
into furnace with three staged burners NOX concentration and NOX conversion ratio

Total combustible matter=
Combustible matter in coal + Ammonia

98

97

coal combustion withoutammonia injection

NH₃ 20%co-ﬁring

Fig. 3 Inﬂuence of ammonia injection
on Combustion eﬃciency◇ Impact on combustion characteristics by changing ammonia injection methods
We clariﬁed that NOX emission can be reduced further by concentrating ammonia to the lower burner instead of
injecting equally to the three burners, when co-ﬁring ratio to the furnace is the same. As far as the co-ﬁring ratio is

Furnace

Furnace99

Coal

Coal 93.3%/NH3 6.7%

Coal

Coal 93.3%/NH3 6.7%

Coal 80%/NH3 20%

Coal 93.3%/NH3 6.7%

Concentrating NH₃ to one lower burner

NH₃ injection to all burners equally

Ammonia injection method into a furnace with three staged burners

Application Examples of Research Results
Ammonia co-ﬁring technology is one of the promising technologies to signiﬁcantly reduce CO2 emissions and realize low-carbon society. We willcontinue to contribute to realization of a low-carbon society through development of related technologies.

low, co-ﬁring ammonia at an existing pulverized coal ﬁred power plant can be achieved by simple modiﬁcation of
only adding ammonia injection nozzle to the burner.

References： Report on the Completion of the Strategic Innovation Program“Energy carrier”, Japan Science and Technology Agency“Examination of ammonia utilization in existing thermal power plants”(2019)

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Major Research Results-8

Major Research Results–8

Systematization of methods for evaluating soundness
and seismic resistance of hydraulic facilities
Support for independent safety measures for hydropower facilities

Hydropower
Generation

BackgroundTo cope with natural disasters and aging of facilities, there is an increasing need for maintenance and managementof hydropower facilities, as well as for assessment of their integrities and seismic performance, as part ofindependent safety measures by electric utilities. In addition, the national government and other entities arerequesting conﬁrmation of safety of dams in the event of a large-scale earthquake, assessment of risk of publicdisasters resulting from damage to hydropower facilities caused by natural disasters, and implementation ofcountermeasures. Each technical method for maintenance, evaluation of integrity and evaluation of seismic
performance is generally established. To further improve reliability of evaluation results, we are organizing these

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

evaluation methods.

Outline of Results

Gravity concrete dam

Using technologies we systemized, we technically supported the electric power companies in about 50 waterpower

A type of dam that resists
external forces such as
water pressure by thegravity of the dam itself.

and dam gates, evaluating seismic performance using ﬁnite element analysis and formulating countermeasures after

facilities. The representative supports are as follows; verifying ﬁeld measurement results of gravity concrete dams

Tatsuo NISHIUCHI / Yuzo SHIOGAMA

the evaluation, and inspecting and formulating disaster prevention measures for water tanks and penstock pipes

Structural Engineering Sector,

which are close to residential areas and railways.

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory

Dam gate

A facility installed in
overﬂow area of a dam toadjust ﬂow rate by its
opening and closing.

Hydropower Generation

Hydropower Generation◇ Technical support for evaluation of structural integrity and seismic performance◇ Identiﬁcation of potential problems and support for eﬃcient resolution
Based on our experience in providing technical support for many hydropower facilities, we identiﬁed potential

For the more reliable evaluation of structural integrity and seismic performance of the hydropower facilities, we are systematizing the evaluation methods.

problems, which would occur commonly in each facility, e.g., water leakage problem due to damage near boundaryArch damof bedrock and concrete of an arch dam. And we proposed eﬃcient solutions for such problems.

A dam sticking out
upstream in an arch shapeArch damDownstream surface of the dam:
damage during the entire time history
Facing(upstream surface)
Dam and bedrock model

Horizontal beam

Analysis example of seismic damage of anarch dam under a winter temperature
condition. It was assumed that waterleakage may occur near the boundary
between bedrock and concrete due totemperature shrinkage and the eﬀect of
the shape of the dam body.

Concrete

Inﬂuence oftemperatureshrinkage inwinter is large

Crack
Crack
penetration

Bedrock
Inﬂuence of
shape of boundary

Buttress
Model of buttress dam*2*

Dam model withroller gates*1*2 A dam which supports water pressure on a concrete
facing by horizontal beam and buttress

1 A dam gate which opens and closes

vertically with rollers on both sides of
a ﬂat gate leaf.

Example of a 3D ﬁnite element analysis model used in seismic evaluation

Application Examples of Research Results
We are providing structural integrity evaluation methods of water facilities against aging and large-scale earthquakes and technically supporting
the evaluation of existing facilities by applying the provided methods. Through these actions, we are contributing to reducing risk of publicdisasters around waterpower facilities caused by large-scale earthquakes and other natural disasters.

References： Nishiuchi, CRIEPI Reseach Report N18001 (2018)
Nishiuchi, CRIEPI Reseach Report N15009 (2016)

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Major Research Results-9

Major Research Results–9

Development of high-accuracy solar radiation estimationand prediction system using satellite images
Support for appropriate supply and demand operations by improving accuracy

Renewable
Energyof solar power output forecasts

BackgroundIn recent years, introduction of photovoltaic power generation has been rapidly expanding, and measures for theirinterconnection with the electric power system are required based on this situation. In particular, when power
output of renewable energy, including photovoltaic power generation, exceeds power demand, such as during aperiod of low power demand, balance between demand and supply is expected to collapse, appropriate power
supply operations will be required with accurate understanding/forecasting of ﬂuctuations of photovoltaic power
generation output. As solar power output is aﬀected most by the amount of solar irradiances, we are working on
development of methods to estimate current amount of solar irradiances and to forecast it several hours in advance

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

by using meteorological satellite images.

Outline of Results◇ Development of a solar irradiance estimation method
We developed a method to the estimate current amount of solar irradiances using satellite image data of
HIMAWARI-8, which can take high resolution data of 0.5 km at a short interval of 2.5 minutes over Japan area. Thismethod enables estimation with high calculate accuracies by updating correction parameters, which are required formaking estimations of solar irradiances from satellite images, automatically by using past satellite images of thetarget region and solar irradiance observation data from JMA observation sites.*

Atsushi HASHIMOTO*Solar irradiance data from meteorological observation site: Meteorological surface observation data from

Fluid Science Sector, Civil Engineering Research Laboratory

meteorological oﬃces and special local meteorological stations of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

To predict the amount of solar irradiances for several hours ahead, a method of calculating the cloud motion
vectors by comparing past and present satellite images was developed. To improve prediction accuracies,
considering the rapidly temperature changes from morning to noon, and improving the method of advection when aclear sky area moves from sea to land. Using this method, we evaluated the calculate accuracies about solar
irradiance between forecasting and observation data over the Kyushu district, and conﬁrmed that this method has
practical accuracies.

To enable expansion of the introduction of photovoltaic power generation, we are working on development of a high-accuracy solar
irradiance estimation and prediction system.
Mean error (BIAS) and Root-Mean-Square Error(RMSE) between solar irradiance forecasting andobservation data starting at 9:30
The ﬁgures indicate seasonal mean errors forspring (Mar. to May), summer (Jun. to Aug.), fall
(Sep. to Nov.) and winter (Dec. to Feb.) in 2017.
And, these errors are calculated based on eightobservation sites (Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki,
Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Oita,
Shimonoseki) in the calculation domain for
Kyushu district. Since the mean error is low
enough compared with the measured value ofsolar irradiances at noon in Dec. (about 600
W/m2) and at noon in Jun. (about 1,000 W/m2),
these results show this method has practical
calculation accuracies.

9:30
200

12:00

15:30

9:30
400

Mar., Apr., May
Jun., Jul., Aug.
Sep., Oct., Nov.
Dec., Jan., Feb.

150
100
50
0
-50

250
200
150
100

-150

50
0

60

120

180

240

300

Lead time from start time [min]

360

15:30

Mar., Apr., May
Jun., Jul., Aug.
Sep., Oct., Nov.
Dec., Jan., Feb.

300

-100

-200

12:00

350

RMSE[W/m2]◇ Development of a solar irradiance forecasting method

BIAS[W/m2]

A geostationary
meteorological satellite
operated by the Japan
Meteorological Agency
since July 2015. Comparedwith its predecessor,
HIMAWARI-7, it has a larger
number of sensors andenables observation of data
in a short timeframe withhigh resolution.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy

HIMAWARI-8

0

0

60

120

180

240

300

Lead time from start time [min]360

Application Examples of Research Results
Images for estimating and forecasting solar irradiances from meteorological satellite images(Left: HIMAWARI-8 (image courtesy of Japan Meteorological Agency), Center: Meteorological satellite image,
Right: Estimated distribution of solar irradiances based on meteorological satellite images)

The solar irradiance estimation and forecasting system based on these methods is applied by electric power companies to forecast and control
photovoltaic power generation and to make the plans for supply-demand operations.

References: Hashimoto et al., CRIEPI Research Report N18003 (2019)
Hashimoto et al., CRIEPI Research Report N16001 (2017)34

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Major Research Results-10

Major Research Results–10

Development of supply-demand balance and frequency
simulation models of all TSO’s control area in Japan
Contributing to wide-area procurement and operation of control reserves ofElectric Power
Transmission andDistribution
Balancing market

As the reform of electric power systems progresses, there is a growing need to consider wide-area procurement andoperation of control reserves due to expansion of the introduction of renewable energy and establishment of thebalancing market. In particular, with regard to the operation of control reserves by load frequency control (LFC),
since the current control logic is diﬀerent in each transmission system operator (TSO)’s control area, in-advancestudies by simulations are required with respect to technical challenges and countermeasures in Cross-regional
cooperation of LFC. We are developing the supply-demand balance and frequency simulation models of all TSO’s
control area in Japan, which can accurately analyze frequency and tie-line power ﬂows under normal conditions.

Load frequency
control (LFC)

Outline of Results◇ Development of a high-precision analytical model for frequency and tie-line power ﬂows in across-regional interconnected system
We modeled LFC systems of central load dispatching centers and major power plants in Japan. The developedmodels are able to accurately analyze frequency and interconnected tie-line power ﬂows under normal conditions.
Simulations using this model enable identiﬁcation of technical challenges related to the cross-regional cooperationof LFC and their countermeasures, and to propose new control methods.

Hiroyuki AMANO / Keita TOKUMITSU

Electric Power System Sector, System Engineering Research Laboratory

Modeling approximately 350 power
plants in Japan

Detailed modeling of LFC
systems for each area

Area B model(the model similar
to area A model)

Area C

Central load
dispatching center model(LFC system)

Generator output
Load⊿f, PtArea D⊿f
Pt

Frequency andinterconnected
tie-line power ﬂow
calculation model

We will support the realization of stable cross-regional cooperation of supply and demand control by using the simulations.

EDC reference
LFC reference

Regulated power
supply(power plant model)⊿fUnregulated power
supply, etc.
(time series data)

Generator
outputL

Load(time series data)

Developed cross-regional interconnected system model and expansion of the functions forcross-regional cooperation of LFC
Transmission system operator are maintaining frequency at the reference by conduncting loadfrequency control (LFC) and economic load dispatching control (EDC)* etc, according to thetime period of supply and demand ﬂuctuations.
*Economic load dispatching control (EDC): A control made in advance by calculating output foreach thermal and hydraulic power generation with diﬀerent eﬃciency from the viewpoint ofoverall supply cost, meeting demand forecast, in order to follow relatively long period load
ﬂuctuation (time period is tens of minutes to several hours).

The cross-regional interconnected
system model and simulation results
There is a good
agreement between
the measurements andthe simulation results
for the frequency andtie-line power ﬂows.

Eastern area
power system

50.2
Eastern area
power system
Frequency [Hz]Area A model

Between Tohoku/
Tokyo Interconnectedline power ﬂow [MW]

Cross-regional interconnected
system model

50.1
50.0
49.9
49.8

Measurement
Simulation

4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
0:00

6:00

12:00
Time

18:00

0:00

Between Chugoku/
Middle-west area
Kansai Interconnected
power systemtie-line power ﬂow [MW] Frequency [Hz]Automatic control ofgeneration output from acentral load dispatching
center, in order to cope withl oad ﬂuctuations ( time
period is several minutes totens of minutes) andsupply/demand mismatches,for which forecast is diﬃcult.
The control signal iscalculated according toﬂuctuations of frequency andinterconnected tie-line
power ﬂows.

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Background

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

A market in which control
reserves (△kW value +kWh value) are traded tocover supply and demandgaps, respond to changes
in supply and demand, andmaintain frequency.

power system

Middle-west area
power system

60.2
60.1
60.0
59.9

Measurement
Simulation

59.8
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0:00

6:00

12:00
Time

18:00

0:00

Application Examples of Research Results
By highly accurate simulation using the developed model combined with the “Cross-Regional Cooperation system model of LFC”, we contribute toprocurement and operation of control reserves in wide areas by electric utilities going forward.

References： Tokumitsu et al., CRIEPI Research Report R18003 (2019)

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Major Research Results-11

Major Research Results–11

Establishment of a method to Apply International Standards
to Monitoring and Control Systems at Substations in Japan
Realize cost reduction by preparing functional speciﬁcations to be used inElectric Power
Transmission andDistributioncommonBackground
Electric power companies have structured and operated their own monitoring and control systems that are arranged
for their power facilities and related communication systems thereof. However, in the process of the reform ofelectric power systems, there is a demand for the introduction of monitoring and control systems on astandard-technology basis, which have common speciﬁcations and are advantageous in terms of cost over the
medium long term. International standards for power system telecommunications have been established by theInternational Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). To eﬀectively apply these standards in Japan, however, it isdesirable to prepare functional speciﬁcations for detailed procedures of monitoring and control and the handling ofMajor Research Results

operated by electric power companies.

Outline of Results

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Major Research Results

measurement information that can be commonly used, based on the monitoring and control systems actually◇Functional speciﬁcations for common applications of international standards to substations in Japan
We have set our research scope on the monitoring and control functions of substations because we can take anadvantage of a large number of devices employing the functions and refer to the results of latest overseas research.
Thus far, we have picked up items that should be speciﬁed based on the current requirements for the devices, andIEC 61850

developed functional speciﬁcations for common applications of IEC 61850 in Japan. Speciﬁcally, we have examined

A standard established by
the IEC to standardize theexchange of information
between electronic
devices and to achieveinteroperability, focusing
on protection and control
systems used in
substations, etc.

the necessity of optional elements, developed speciﬁcations to implement monitoring and control functions used
only in Japan, and set parameters to realize a telecommunication method that meets various requirements necessary
for domestic applications, all of which are the design items not stipulated in IEC 61850. Furthermore, we havedeveloped a method to easily and practically realize monitoring and control functions by dividing the logic circuit
into blocks based on the details of the functional speciﬁcations and allocating the processes in these blocks

Tetsuo OTANICommunication Systems Sector, System Engineering Research Laboratory
We have developed functional speciﬁcations that enable common applications of the international standards to monitoring and control units
in Japan.

individually (Fig. 1).

Control station
Substation
Telecontrol gateway

Function for voltage detection
Voltage relay of thestandby source is“On”

Function for circuit breaker

Under-voltage relay
operates

Scope of IEC 61850 for Substation
Monitor and Control System

Main process for automatic source transfer
Standby sourceis energized&

Circuit breaker on theoriginal source is “On”

Under-voltage relay

Monitoring and control
data speciﬁed by IEC 61850

Function for automatic source transfer

Power loss in the wholeof substation

Automatic source
transfer device“In operation”

&

Flip
Flop

Start of the automatic
source transfer processReset
conditionfunction mode for
automatic source
transfer

Fig. 1 An example of logical circuit diagram for monitoring and control function in case of
automatic source transfer

The client (the telecontrol gateway)
operates power system facilities (e.g.
opens/closes a circuit breaker throughthe access to the data speciﬁed by IEC
61850 in the monitor and control unit.

IEC
Three-phase AC measurement

8

61

IEC

Circuit breaker

Phase to phase voltage Phase current

Switch position

A/D converter

A/D conversion

0~110V

50

Metal cable
Switching Palletsignal switch
0~5A

IEC
61

IEC
61

Telecommunication
service
61

85

85

85

0

0

Monitoring andcontrol unit

0

Monitor andcontrol unit

Power system facilities(Circuit breakers, etc.)

Application Examples of Research Results
Applications of IEC 61850 based on the functional speciﬁcations to the systems related to operation, monitoring, and control not only insubstations but also in other types of power systems, enable the use of systems in common through multi-vendors and in the electric powerindustry, making it possible to use control devices in a sustainable manner and to reduce the cost of system construction and maintenance.

References： Saka, et al., CRIEPI Research Report R18004 (2019)
Otani et al., CRIEPI Research Report R18002 (2019)
Otani et al., CRIEPI Research Report R15010 (2016)

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Major Research Results-12

Major Research Results–12

Development of a Corrosion Evaluation Method for Transmission
Towers, Reﬂecting the Corrosion Environment at the Site
Supporting the drawing up of a plan of modiﬁcation and renewal of transmission

Electric Power
Transmission andDistribution

towers through highly accurate estimation of corrosivity

Background
Among the total 250,000 transmission towers operating in Japan, 70% of them has been installed for more than 30
years. Aging magagement is required because they are facing to concerns mainly related to corrosion problems.
Methodology for corrosivity evaluation is then required in power industry to level the load of maintenance activities
such as painting, repair, and reconstructions. Such maintenance planning can avoid over-concentration of major loads
at the same period. Hot dip galvanized steels are generally used in transmission towers. Corrosion of steels and zincs
are attiributed to environment factors such as airborne salinity, sulfur oxides, temperature and humidity. Suchenvironment factors diﬀer in tower locations. We are therefore evaluating corrosivity for each tower by taking into

Major Research Results

Outline of Results◇ Precise corrosivity evaluation with atmospheric environment in each transmission tower location
NuWFAS

The corrosivity estimation formula for steel and zinc are established in international standards. We have sophisticatedPrediction and analysis
system for the several
days in future. Core of thes y s t e m i s t h emeteorological model
developed by National
Center for AtmosphericResearch (NCAR).The
spatial resolution can be
set ﬁnely from 3 to 5
km.Long term climatechanges can also be
calculated by taking into
account seasonal changes
in ground level weather
conditions.

them to ﬁt to Japanese environment using exposure test results in Japanese testing sites, in order to establish

Meteorological factors
such as wind speed,
temperature, atmosphericpressure, and precipitationin every hours calculated
for a long period on a 5
km mesh at 20 km above
the ground. The
calculation was conductedbased on re-analysis dataof the whole global sphere(resolution approx. 120km), provided from theEuropean Medium Term
Forecast Center.

corrosivity evaluation methodology. Corrosion environment at each tower site can be analyzed by several maps ofcorrosion factors such as temperature, bumidity, airborne salinity, and SO 2 concentrations (Fig. 1). Such maps are

Yasuhiko HORI

realized by the long term weather re-analysis data called CRIEPI-RCM-Era2, compiled with the weather prediction

Gas Insulation and Electric Discharge Phenomenon Sector,

and analysis system NuWFAS. Combination of the new formula with the calculated corrosion factors provides
cumultive corrosivity values at each towers from their installation. The maps visualized for steels and zincs enable

Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory

regional comparison of corrosion rate (Fig. 2)

We are tackling on precise evaluation of corrosivity in transmission towers by taking into account the local corrosion factors in eachlocation. The evaluation can be utilized to achieve the smooth and eﬃcient works on improvement and replacement.
50
45°
N

45
40
35

40°
N

30

[ppb]

Long-term
meteorologicalre-analysis data
CRIEPI-RCM-Era2

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Major Research Results

account the local environment.

25
20

35°
N

15
10

30°
N

5
130°
E

135°
E

Corrosion rate of zinc
[μm/year]
0.155-0.162

Creation of the map
for corrosion
environment
factors0.162-0.83
0.83-0.95
0.95-1.05
1.05-1.12

Corrosion map

1.12-1.20
1.20-1.29
1.29-1.39
1.39-1.53
1.53-2.42

Image of applying thisevaluation method

Sophistication of
corrosivity estimation
formula in Japaneseenvironment

Veriﬁcationand correction
by use of inspection
data, etc.

Practical use

Feedback

140°
E

Fig. 1 Map of the annual average density
for SO2 (Example in 1980)

Fig. 2 Map of the annual average amount ofzinc corrosion (All directions)Application Examples of Research Results
Priority of inspection and repair painting can be quantitatively determined in electric power companies. This leads to achieve the smooth andeﬃcient works on improvement and replacement.

References： Hori et al., CRIEPI Research Report H18009 (2019)40

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Major Research Results-13

Major Research Results–13

Development of A Technology to Enable Expansion ofApplicable Scope of High-Voltage SiC Devices
Leading the improvement in next-generation power electronics technologies

Electric Power
Transmission andDistribution

BackgroundLow-loss power
semiconductors using
single crystal SiC. Since
single crystal SiC has adielectric breakdown
electric ﬁeld strength ofabout 10 times greaterthan that of an single
crystal Si, the power loss
can be drasticallyreduced when it isapplied to a power
semiconductor device.

quick chargers for electric vehicles, and driving systems for railway vehicles. To apply these technologies to power

semiconductors has been started in practical use in power conditioners for photovoltaic power generation systems,
system control equipment with higher voltage and larger capacity, we are working on the development oftechnologies to ensure long-term reliability and produce high-quality crystals by low costs*.
*A part of this research was conducted by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI),
Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP),“Next-generation power electronics/Consistent
R&D of next-generation SiC power electronics”(funding agency: NEDO).

Outline of Results

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

semiconductors using SiC (silicon carbide) instead of the wide-spread Si (silicon) is expected. SiC power

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

To reduce the loss in semiconductor power conversion equipment, the application of next-generation power
SiC power
semiconductor◇ Development of high-speed and high-quality SiC crystal growth technology by gas source method*
Aiming at the development of a mass production technology using the crystal growth method that employs a gas as
the raw material (the gas source method), we have worked on the development of technology that enables thehigh-speed and stable production of SiC bulk crystals for a long period of time. As a result, SiC crystals were

Koichi MURATA / Norihiro HOSHINO

successfully grown stably over a long period of time (4 hours) at a high growth rate (3 mm/h) approximately 10

Electrical Materials Sector,

times that of the conventional technologies. In addition, it turned out that even at high growth rates, the density ofMaterials Science Research Laboratory

crystal defects, which may aﬀect the characteristics and reliability of SiC power semiconductors, can be signiﬁcantly
reduced.
*Studies on SiC crystal growth by gas source method have been conducted in collaboration with Denso.

We are working on development of technologies to apply SiC power semiconductors to control equipment for high-voltage and large-capacity power system.

◇ Suppression of degradation during current conduction in SiC power semiconductors
Carrier lifetime
The period during which
excessive electrons andholes are pair-annihilated
in the crystal.

(doping) vanadium elements during crystal growth. By applying a single crystal SiC ﬁlm with a short carrier lifetime
as a buﬀer layer to a PiN diode, we have demonstrated that no degradation during current conduction occurs evenat a high current density of 600 A/cm2.

PiN diode
A diode with an insulating
layer acting as an intrinsic
semiconductor layer
between PN junction,
which improves blocking
voltage when a backward
voltage is applied.

50.8 mm diameterA technique has been established to control the carrier lifetime in single crystal SiC over a wide range by adding

p+-type layer

p+-type layer

Forwardcurrenti(n-)-type layer

Crystaldefect(Stackingfault)

n+ -type substratei(n-)-type layer

Vanadium-doped layer(Prevention of degradation
during current conduction)n+ -type substrate

Crystal defect (Dislocation)(a) without vanadium-doped layer(Conventional structure)

SiC bulk crystals grown by
gas source method(b) with vanadium- doped layer

Application Examples of Research Results
Technologies towards lower-loss and higher-reliability for high-voltage SiC devices can improve the eﬃciency, downsize, and reduce operating
costs of various power conversion equipment.

Cross-sectional schematic illustration of an SiC PiN diodeBy inserting a single crystal SiC layer with a short carrier lifetime (vanadium-doped layer),which has been shortened by doping technique, to a high-voltage SiC device, we havedemonstrated that stacking faults formation (degradation) during current conduction canbe prevented.

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References： K. Murata et al., Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 126, p. 045711 (2019)
Tsuchida et al., Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing Vol.78, p.2 (2018)
N. Hoshino et al., Journal of Crystal Growth Vol. 478, p. 9 (2017)

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Major Research Results-14

Major Research Results–14

Development of a Calculation Program for Assessing Human
Body Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field
Contributing to the safety assessment of RF electromagnetic ﬁeld generated by

BackgroundRadio frequency (RF)electromagnetic ﬁeld

In recent years, various types of wireless communication devices, including smart meters, have become popular and,A generic term for “electricﬁelds" and “magnetic
ﬁelds" used for wirelesscommunication, and thefrequency of 100 kHz to
300 GHz is generally used.

electromagnetic ﬁelds should be considered. The Radio Wave Protection Guideline in Japan speciﬁes the values

to use these devices without worry, the safety of human bodies when exposed to radio frequency (RF)obtained by using the speciﬁc absorption rate (SAR) as a basis for assessing the safety of the human body exposed
to RF electromagnetic ﬁelds around wireless communication device. However, since SAR in the human body is
diﬃcult to measure, an indirect assessment is required. We are developing a calculation program that cancalculation SAR in the human body for various types of wireless communication device.

Radio wave protection
guideline
An exposure guideline
indicates the values of anelectromagnetic ﬁeld that
do not aﬀect the health of
the human body and theconcept for protecting thehuman body, with regard to
the eﬀects of RF
electromagnetic ﬁelds on
the human body.

Speciﬁc absorption
rate (SAR)
A measure of the amountof energy absorbed in ahuman body exposed toan RF electromagnetic
ﬁeld. This is deﬁned as theabsorbed power per unit
mass of human tissues.

Outline of Results◇ Development of a calculation program to assess the SAR in the body, focusing on wirelesscommunication device

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

a smart meter

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Electric Power
Transmission andDistribution

Using the electromagnetic ﬁeld analysis method, we developed a calculation program for assessing the human body
exposure of RF electromagnetic ﬁelds. With this program, you can calculate SAR distribution in the human bodydue to the RF electromagnetic ﬁeld in the vicinity of wireless communication device, with an electrical constantallocated to each human tissue. The calculation results obtained by this program targeting on the SAR calculation

Takeo SHIINA

when the human body is exposed to a uniform RF electromagnetic ﬁeld (plane wave) have been conﬁrmed to agree

Surge and Electromagnetic Phenomena Sector,

well with those calculated by other organizations. Applying this program to the calculation of spatial averaged SAR
in the human body makes it possible to assess, for example, the safety when approaching a smart meter that uses

Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory

the 920 MHz band as the communication frequency (Fig. 1).

Experimental facility of EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility)communication device such as a smart meter.

100
320

0.1
210

<Input>
0.01

432

Unit
[mm]

It is possible to measure the RF electromagnetic ﬁeld around the wireless

Smart
meter

Japanese
adult male model(width: 640 mm)

Case for thecommunication
deviceSmart meter housing(width: 140 mm)(a) Calculated placement

0.001

Overview of the calculation
program of the human body
exposure assessment for RF
electromagnetic ﬁelds

0.0001
SAR[W/kg]<Output>

Major setting conditions- Type of wave sources⇒ A wave source simulating the RF
electromagnetic ﬁeld around a smart
meter and a uniform electromagnetic
ﬁeld (plane wave) for veriﬁcation- Human model⇒ Simulate detailed human tissues
and allocate an appropriate electric
constant to each tissue- Calculation frequency⇒ Communication frequency of the target
smart meter 920 MHz is adopted

Results of various calculations- Electric ﬁeld distribution- Magnetic ﬁeld distribution- SAR distribution in the human body

Calculation of spatial
averaged SAR for the head,etc. and the whole-body
averaged SAR(b) SAR distribution in the headFig. 1 Example of SAR calculation when approaching a smart meter

Application Examples of Research Results

The calculation results of the SAR distribution in the head of an adult male approaching a smart meter.

When introducing a smart meter, it should be used as a risk communication tool for the safety of a human body exposed to an RF electromagnetic
ﬁeld.

References： Shiina et al., CRIEPI Research Report H18006 (2019)

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Major Research Results-15

Major Research Results–15

Development of an Evaluation Method for Powersupply-demand balance in Case of Disasters
Supporting the formulation of eﬀective measures by electric utilities to improve

Electric Power
Transmission andDistribution

the power supply-demand balance

Background
When power generation facilities and power distribution facilities are damaged by a large-scale earthquake, it isimportant to secure supply capacity in accordance with the degree of recovery of power demand, which has
temporarily declined due to the stagnation of socioeconomic activities. As a prerequisite for this, the power grid andsupply facilities should be intrinsically structured to avoid a long-term power shutoﬀ against these events. We areworking on the development of a method to evaluate the power supply-demand balance in case of a disaster, inorder to support electric utilities in developing reasonable and highly accountable pre- and post-measures against
Major Research Results

Major Research Results

large-scale disasters.

Outline of Results◇ Development of seismic damage and recovery model of power supply facilities

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

and their recovery time using instrumental seismic intensity as an input parameter based on the analysis of pastearthquakes.

◇ Development of a method for estimating power demand in case of a disasterWe have developed a method to estimate the decrease in power demand after an earthquake and its recovery
process, using the results of past studies on the recovery process of industrial activities and changes in power

Ayumi YUYAMA

Daisuke TAKABATAKE

Earthquake Engineering Sector,

Structural Engineering Sector,

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory

demand in households after a large-scale earthquake.

We are working on the development of a risk assessment method for electric power distribution facilities in the event of natural disasters.

◇ Development of a method for evaluating the power supply-demand balance in case of a disaster

EQ3(Mw6.9)

power supply and demand after an earthquake for each district covered by a substation (Fig. 1). By using thismethod, it is possible to evaluate the anticipated damage patterns of facilities and its frequency, and to identify
power supply facilities that would be a bottleneck in the process of recovery.

Power station

4000

Substation andswitchyard
Powertransmission line

3500

Location ofa fault
Distribution ofbusiness sites
and households

Setting of
external force caused
by a postulated earthquake(Distribution of instrumental
seismic intensity)

Information on
power grid andsupply facilities

EQ4(Mw6.8)

Power [MW]Based on the results described above, we have develop a method for probabilistically evaluating the transition of

Total supplied
power

4500

Possible generating
capacity

Total demand
power

Total shortage
power

3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500

EQ2(Mw6.9)
Evaluation of total demand power

Evaluation of total supplied power

Changes in power demand incase of disasters based on
socio-economic models

Monte Carlo simulation for damage
and restoration of power supply
facilities

Evaluation of power shortage
Calculation of power supply-demandbalance at each demand area

Fig. 1 Calculation ﬂow of power supply-demand balance

Power
Station C

EQ1(Mw6.7)

Power
Station B

0Power
Station A

0

12

24

36

48

60

72

84

96

108 120 132 144 156 168 180 192 204 216 228 240

Elapsed time [h]A virtual power grid (the left ﬁgure) and example of its power supply-demand balance after a postulated earthquake (EQ4) (the right ﬁgure).

Application Examples of Research Results
The results obtained through the developed method will enable us to formulate prevention measures and support post-disaster restoration
activities, which are eﬀective to improve the power supply-demand balance in case of a large-scale earthquake.

Based on the proposed method, it is possible to evaluate the amount of demand
power, supplied power, and power shortage due to postulated earthquakes by
setting socio-economic data (distribution of business sites and households) oftarget areas and information on power supply facilities.

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Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

We have developed a model to estimate the damage probability of power station, substation and transmission line

2–2.

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Major Research Results-16

Major Research Results–16

Improvement of the Accuracy of Predictive Estimation for Strong Winds Using
Numerical Weather Model and Computational Fluid Dynamics Technologies
Contributing to the rationalization of wind-resistant design of power

Electric Power
Transmission andDistribution

transmission and distribution facilities and response to storm damage

BackgroundIn recent years, large typhoons and storms caused by rapidly developing low pressure have occurred frequently.
Since it is necessary to maintain the functions of distribution facilities in the event of such storms, there is a need tomore accurately assess the conditions of strong winds, such as during abnormal weather, and reﬂect the results inthe wind-resistant design of power transmission and distribution facilities. However, power transmission anddistribution facilities have been installed in mountainous areas where observation date is extremely small, urban
areas and forest areas where changes in wind are signiﬁcant and, thus, an analysis method for strong winds
applicable to these areas is expected. We are working on the development of an analysis method for strong winds

Major Research Results

Outline of Results◇ Development of a high-resolution analysis method for winds all over Japan
NuWFAS

We have improved resolutions of weather prediction and analysis system, NuWFAS, developed by CRIEPI by

See ｐ.40

expanding the computable scale to take local topographic eﬀects into consideration, as well as improving theElectric Power Transmission and Distribution

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Major Research Resultsthat utilizes numerical weather model and computational ﬂuid dynamics technologies.

accuracy of the method by accumulating observation cases such as typhoons and local winds from mountainous

Local windT h e wind sp e ciﬁc to aparticular region. This
includes a downwind
attributed to the topographyof mountain areas.

areas in recent years and comparison cases with analysis results. With the results obtained, to support the rational

Yasuo HATTORI / Yoshikazu KITANO

design of wind resistant power transmission and distribution facilities, we have developed a high-resolution strong

Fluid Dynamics Sector,

wind database (the Basic Wind Speed Map) covering all over Japan, including mountainous areas (Fig. 1).

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory◇ Development of an analysis method for strong winds in urban and forest areas
We are developing an wind ﬁeld analysis software that analyzes the eﬀect of buildings such as high-rises andComputational ﬂuid
dynamics

forests on wind strength and wind direction based on computational ﬂuid dynamics models. The software has been

A method of analyzing gas
ﬂows by solving equations(the Navier-Stokes equation,etc.) representing ﬂuid
motion directly throughnumerical analysis.

the Geographical Survey Institute and the satellite data (Fig. 2). Based on the results of this analysis, a quantitative

We are working on the development of a strong wind analysis method that utilizes numerical weather model and computational ﬂuid dynamics technologies.

improved to easily calculate detailed wind conditions in forests and urban areas by incorporating digital data from
evaluation of the wind load acting on power distribution facilities will enable the rational design of the facilities.

Strong wind

Operation screen of the software to
analyze wind ﬁelds, etc.
We have packaged the numerical codes
so that they can be operated on a PC.
We are also building a data distribution
system required for analysis.

Weak windApplication Examples of Research Results

Fig. 1 Basic wind speed map of the Shikoku Region

Fig. 2 Example of wind ﬁeld analysis in urban areas

The results of this analysis are used by electric power companies to select routes of power transmission and distribution facilities and to develop

An example of analysis of strong winds in various
areas due to the southern wind in summer. It
reproduces the strong wind area (red-circled)caused by the down slope wind due of the
Shikoku Mountains.

Example of detailed wind speed distribution
calculated by using digital building data of urban
areas. You can see how the southwest wind with asteady wind speed is aﬀected by high-rise buildings.

renewal plans. In addition, our method is used to examine detailed wind conditions at the site of facilities aﬀected by typhoons and to predict
damage caused by typhoons.

References： Nakao et al., Boundary-layer meteorology, Vol. 170, p.235 (2019)
Kitano et al., The 25th Wind Engineering Symposium p.43 (2018)

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2–2.

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Major Research Results-17

Major Research Results–17

Development of a Tool to Estimate Power Consumption on a Regional
Basis, Considering the Ratio of Houses and Business Sites by Industry
Contributing to the rationalization of power distribution systems and facility

Customer
Services

structuring and the formulation of sales strategies by electricity retailers

Backgroundbatteries into households, a new power supply and demand management method by collaborating power

This is a control method tomaintain electric power
quality through cooperation
between customer facilities
such as energy storage
equipment installed at thecustomer’s site and power
distribution facilities.

establish an electric power supply and demand management method, it is necessary to estimate the current status

distribution facilities and customer facilities is deemed eﬀective for maintaining and improving the comfort andother beneﬁts of individual customers while maintaining a stable supply of power within the distribution system. To
and the future of electric power consumption on a regional basis. We have developed a model to estimate thepower consumption of homes in consideration of local conditions, such as the number of detached residences andcondominiums, the number of people per household, and the weather.

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Amid complicated changes in demand due to the introduction of photovoltaic power generation (PV) and storage
Power supply anddemand management
methodOutline of Results◇ Construction of a regional power consumption model for business sites and houses combined
Using four types of statistical data on energy consumption at business sites, we have constructed a model toestimate the total power consumption at business sites in each area from the demand curve by industry and from

Customer Services

Customer Services

the number of people of each industry in the area. This model is designed so that the annual total values for all
areas in the prefecture are consistent with the energy consumption statistics for each prefecture prepared by the
Agency of Natural Resources and Energy. Together with the power consumption model for houses constructed sofar, it is now possible to calculate the power consumption by area on the town-block level (Fig. 1).

Tsuyoshi UENO

Customer Service Unit, Energy Innovation Center

Area of thetown [km2]
Number of households[houses]Number of workers[persons]

Area A

Area B

Weekdays

Area C

CategoryⅠ
Commercial Industrial
exclusively low-rise
zone
zone
residential zone
0.220

0.432

10
5

4,146

1,571

16,787

3,130

478

ve
Ri
r

JR Kamata Station

Area B with manysmall factories

40
20
0
20

Transport and Postal businessAcademic research, Professional and Technical services
Accommodation and Restaurant services
Lifestyle-related services and Entertainment
Healthcare and Welfare

105Multi-service business
Service business (not otherwise classiﬁed)
Public services (excluding those otherwise classiﬁed)
Residential Sector0

5 10 15 20

0Four types of statistical data used to construct the business site model
Name of Statistics Data

OutlineReport data on actual results of subsidies for promotionof introduction of energy management systems (BEMS)
in FY2011

The data on BEMS measured for 8,760 hours in 1 year at 5,700 business sites has been
disclosed.

Statistical data on buildings

Data such as the total ﬂoor area by building t ype have been compiled for eachadministrative division (290,000 regions nationwide).

Basic survey on economic census compiled bytown/village and by large village section

The number of business sites and employees by town/village and by large villages e c t i o n (16 0 , 0 0 0 re g i o n s n a t i o n w i d e) h a s b e e n p u b l i c i z e d f o r a l l b u s i n e s s
establishments in Japan.

Energy consumption statistics by prefecture

The annual electricity and oil consumptions by prefecture and by industry have been
disclosed.

Real estate and Article leasing

Education and Learning support business

15

0

Information and Communications

Finance and Insurance

Area Cam

Ta

Area A with many
commercial buildings

060

We are working on the development of a method to estimate the current and future power consumption of each area, in order to establish
a power supply and demand management method.

Manufacturing

Wholesale and Retail

Area B

Area C most of whichis residential area

Construction

15

0.276

2,519

Holidays
Area A

Major land
use zones

Power consumption [MW]Area subject toprovisional estimate

5 10 15 20Time [h]Fig. 1 Example of provisional estimate by a power consumption estimation tool by region
In the industrial area B and the residential area C, a large diﬀerence was identiﬁed in the demand
curve between weekdays and holidays. On the other hand, in the commercial area A, nosigniﬁcant diﬀerences were identiﬁed between weekdays and holidays.

Application Examples of Research Results
The tool developed will be used to implement measures to ensure a stable supply of electricity, including rationalization of the operation of
distribution systems and facility structuring, and to help electricity retailers formulate sales strategies. It will also be used to study scenarios foreﬃcient regional energy use and reduction of CO₂ emissions in the future.

References： Ueno, CRIEPI Research Report C18003 (2019)
Ueno, et al., CRIEPI Research Report C16003 (2017)

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Major Research Results-18

Major Research Results–18

Development of a Simple and Rapid Atmospheric
Environmental Assessment Method
Contributing to cost reduction in prediction of air pollutant concentrations

Environment

Background
LNG thermal power stations tend to lower the height of their chimneys as the concentration of pollutants
discharged has been reduced in recent years. At power stations with low chimneys, however, the concentration ofpollutants on the ground surface may increase due to the exhaust gas entrained by vortices that are generated
downwind of the buildings. For this reason, more detailed diﬀusion prediction is required, and wind tunnel

A device that measures
wind direction and velocity
by emitting a sound wave
pulse into the sky.

experiments that are expensive and time-consuming are being conducted. In addition, Doppler sodas, which areused to observe upper-layer weather, such as wind direction and wind velocity near the height of chimneys, havedrawbacks such as poor portability and noise caused by sound waves.
Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Doppler sodar

Outline of Results◇ Numerical model for predicting exhaust gas diﬀusion
Using a three-dimensional numerical model that takes into account the combined eﬀects of buoyancy and buildings,
we have developed a prediction method having the same precision as wind tunnel experiments with shorter period
and lower cost (Fig. 1). With this method, the diﬀusion of exhaust gas from the chimney can be evaluated without

Environment

Environment

conducting wind tunnel experiments even in LNG thermal power plants with relatively low chimney height levels.

Ayumu SATO / Takeshi KISHIDA◇ Upper-layer weather observation using a Doppler lidar

Atmospheric and Marine Environment Sector,

Doppler lidar

A Doppler lidar, which is highly portable and does not generate noise by using laser light instead of sound waves,

A device that measures
wind direction and velocity
by irradiating laser light into
the sky.

conditions and surrounding topographic characteristics, we have conﬁrmed that the upper-layer weather

Environmental Science Research Laboratory

was used to observe the upper-layer weather. Based on test results at four power stations with diﬀerent weather
observation with higher eﬃciency and lower cost than conventional methods is possible.

We are making eﬀorts to simplify and speed up the atmospheric environment assessment by introducing a three-dimensional numericalmodel and a Doppler lidar.
Comparison with conventional upper-layer
meteorological observation methods
Precision, operability, and feasibility HighLow
of installation Cost and noise

Low
High

Anemometer Doppler Doppler(Chimney) sodar
lidar

Concentration
High

Precision
Cost
Operability

Low

Fig. 1 Computational grid used in the numerical model to predict exhaust gas diﬀusion (left)
and an example of predicted results (right)
Similar to the wind-tunnel test model (photograph in the ﬁgure), a simulation can be carried out by faithfully
reproducing the plant building, chimney, etc.

Demonstration test of
Doppler lidar at a thermal
power station

Doppler lidar

Feasibility of
installation
Noise

Application Examples of Research Results
The results will be published in academic papers and will be reﬂected in the guidelines for environmental impact assessment of power stations,
thereby contributing to the shortening of the environmental assessment period and cost reduction.

References： Kishida, et al., The 25th Wind Engineering Symposium, p.19 (2018)
Ono et al., Atmospheric Environment Society of Japan, Vol. 51, p.161 (2016)

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Major Research Results -19

Major Research Results -19

Analysis of Issues on New Markets Created as a Resultof Electricity System Reform
Supporting the rational design and operation of new markets through analyses of

Utility
Management
Balancing market
See p.36

case studies in Japan and other countries

BackgroundMarkets such as the balancing market and the non-fossil-value trading market, which will be newly introduced as a resultof electricity system reform, not only aim at improving economic eﬃciency through the promotion of competition, but also
address the issues of public interest such as securing a stable supply of electricity and reducing CO2 emissions. Therefore,

evaluation and theoretical analysis of overseas precedents in light of the unique circumstances in Japan.

Outline of Results◇ Analysis of issues on the imbalanced rate system in consideration of the ancillary services market andrecommendations for measures

Imbalanced priceWe investigated the trend of the imbalance pricing system in Germany, a leader in the policy of electricity deregulation

Fee that the power
generator and the electricity
retail supplier pay to adjust
the diﬀerence between thepl anned v alue and theactual value (the imbalance).

and promoting renewable power generation. We evaluated the changes in the current system and future directions in order
to control the imbalanced quantity while avoiding a sharp rise in the imbalance price, and made recommendations for a

Utility Management

Utility Management

A market in which
non-fossil values are
certiﬁed and tradedseparately from the valueof electricity. It was created
to encourage electricity
retail suppiers to procure
non-fossil fuel power, on
the premise of procuring it.

are supporting a detailed design and appropriate operation of the system for new markets by presenting the results ofMajor Research Results

Major Research Results

Non-fossil-value
trading market

the system design becomes complicated, and continuous evaluation of operations is required even after introduction. We

detailed system design in Japan.

Toru HATTORI

Utilities Policy and Economic Analysis Sector,◇ Recommendations for the detailed system design of the non-fossil-value trading market

Socio-economic Research Center

A review of the issues on the non-fossil-value trading market has revealed that auctions focusing on the non-fossil fuelpower under the Feed-In Tariﬀ (FIT) Scheme to reduce the cost for promotion of renewable power generation failed toachieve their original objectives (Fig. 1). The report proposed that the main reason for this was the allocation of certiﬁcatesfor free that had not been cleared in the auction. It also suggested that the detailed system design of the non-fossil-value

We have analyzed the challenges facing new markets created as a result of electricity system reform, and provided useful information for stakeholders.

trading market requires a mechanism in line with the purpose of introducing the system to make non-fossil values explicit.

Environmental value of FIT

Total charges: 2 trillion
8,650 100 million yen

25 Yen/kWh

Reduced charges:
4,807 10,000 yen

Review of Electricity Economics No. 66 (March 2019)“Challenges of New Markets Created by Electricity System
Reform”
https://criepi.denken.or.jp/jp/serc/periodicals/index.html

Average unit price of FIT for
non-fossil fuels 1.3 Yen/kWh
Successfully bid quantity
3,698 10,000 kWh

Quantity applied:
1,136 100 million of kWh

Fig. 1 Auction results of FIT for non-fossil fuels(until the 3rd auction conducted in 2018)
Since there were no incentives for electricity retailers to obtain non-fossil fuel certiﬁcates,
the quantity of successful bids was extremely small, the contract price was tied to thelower limit (1.3 yen/kWh), and the promotion charge for renewable energy power
generation was not reduced.

Application Examples of Research Results
An explanation on the issues of the imbalance pricing in consideration of the balancing market was published in industry publications to share ourinsights. Issues on the new market created as a result of the electricity system reform will be reported in “Review of Electricity Economics
No. 66”, an academic journal published by the Socio-Economic Research Center, thereby hoping that market mechanism will be appropriately
utilized in the electric power industry through publicizing the issues related to the institutional design such as the balancing market and thenon-fossil-value trading market.
References: Hattori et al., Research on Electric Power Economics, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry No.66 (2019)

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Major Research Results–20

Major Research Results–20

Analysis of Consumers’Decision-Making Factors for
Providing Personal Data
Contributing to the development of personal data utilization businesses from theUtility
Management

Extensive information on
person, including both
personal information andanonymized information.
Examples include gender,
Internet browsing history,
positional information,and residential power
consumption.

Background
As IoT technology advances, there is an increasing interest in utilizing personal data. In Japan, systems for data distribution
and utilization, such as the information bank, are being developed with the aim of improving the quality of life of thepeople through distribution and utilization of personal data. In order for such systems to successfully work, voluntaryprovision of personal data from consumers is essential. However, the factors behind consumers’ decision making to provide
data are not fully understood.

Major Research Results

Outline of Results

Information bankBusinesses that manage
personal data based on
the contracts withindividuals and provide
the data to third parties
on behalf of individuals
based on the conditions
speciﬁed in advance by
the contracts.

◇ Analyzing factors that consumers value when they make decision on data provision
A web survey was conducted for 8,000 people on their intentions to provide personal data, such as power consumption
data per 30 minutes and household information including family structures. Analyses focusing on four factors that caninﬂuence on decision making to provide personal data have revealed that consumers place importance on monetary
rewards, purpose of use, anonymity of data, and the mechanism of providing data to third parties, in this order.

◇ Detailed analysis of how the mechanism of providing data to third parties and the purpose of datautilization aﬀect consumers’ willingness to provide their data

Takuro TANAKA

Utilities Policy and Economic Analysis Sector,

We have conﬁrmed that consumers would be more willing to provide their data if the system allows them to participate inSocio-economic Research Center

the selection of a third party to whom the data will be provided. In particular, it was revealed that consumers would be
most willing to provide their data when they are able to participate “partially”in the selection, for example, by selecting
only the type of corporations or organizations to which their data will be provided (Fig. 1). In addition, it was also revealed
that, even if the purpose is to develop new services that take time to provide beneﬁts to consumers or to improve theUtility Management

Utility Management

Major Research Results

Personal data

consumers’ perspective

We will contribute to the development of personal data utilization businesses while paying attention to social acceptability.

eﬃciency of operations that do not directly generate beneﬁts for consumers, a clearly indicated purpose of use would
enhance consumers’ willingness to provide data (Fig. 2).

Conventional
data utilization
Providing to a third party in some cases

Person I

Consumers select only thetype of corporations andorganizations(Inclusive selection)

Energy conservation advice
tailored to lifestyles

Consumers select recipientsfrom all corporations andorganizations
Electric power companies
select recipients from all
corporations andorganizations

・・・

Used to develop
new services

Company A

Personal data heldby Company A

0

100
150
[Yen/Month]Fig. 1 Preferences for the mechanism of providing
to third parties

Informationbank

Utilization andapplication of data
Company E

PDS I

Criteria

Not clear at this time
50

Person I

Data provided tothird parties basedon contracts withindividuals

Deposit

Used to improve businesseﬃciency of corporations
Criteria

A structure in which the information bankperforms management and operation of personal
data based on the contract with the individual

0100

Personal data that
individuals provide tobusinesses through their
daily lives

200
300[Yen/Month]Fig. 2 Preferences for the purpose of usage of data

The horizontal axis is the monetary equivalent (Yen/month) of the consumer’s preference for eachcondition, indicating that the higher the value, the more preferred the condition. The error bar at the
top of the bar graph represents the 95% conﬁdence interval.

Company B

Personal data heldby Company B

Beneﬁt Management
and operation
Move
information for
person I to PDS I

Direct or indirect
return fromcompanies toindividuals

Utilization andapplication of data
Company F

BeneﬁtImage of an information bankAccumulation, management
and utilization of data of
individuals for each company

Company C

Personal data heldby Company C

PDS: Personal Data Store* In some cases, beneﬁts are returned only tosociety as a whole, not to a particular individual.

Utilization andapplication of data
Company G

Application Examples of Research Results
By utilizing the results of this analysis, consumers are encouraged to voluntarily provide their data, thereby leading to the development of personal
data utilization businesses.

References： Tanaka, CRIEPI Research Report Y18004 (2019)

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Major Research Results–21

Major Research Results–21

Development of Power Supply for a Sensor Network
to Monitor Power Facilities
Succeeded in generating electricity using environmental vibrations from electric

Background

Environmental
vibration

As the need for inspection and monitoring of aging social infrastructures is growing, the use of a standalone wireless

Daily vibrations that occur
imminent environment
due to the vibration offacilities or runningvehicles. This isdistinguished from natural
vibrations such as
earthquakes andwind-induced motions.

for upgrading the operation and maintenance technology of electric power facilities. To materialize such asensor network that combines sensors, information processing, communications, and networks is being considered
standalone wireless sensor network, the development of an energy harvester that can supply electric power tosensors which is free from battery replacement is expected. We are working on the development of vibrationalenergy harvester, focusing on unused environmental vibrations of various frequencies generated from electric power
facilities.

Outline of Results◇ Successfully improved the eﬃciency of a vibrational energy harvester using an electric double-layerelectret
Electric double-layerelectret

We have succeeded to develop new type of vibrational energy harvester using an electric double-layer electret inElectric double layerelectrets are formed byanchoring the motion of
ion after formation ofelectric double layer byapplying voltage to theelectrolyte between twoelectrode.

more than 1.2 mW/cm2 from the environmental vibration of less than 10 Hz, which was diﬃcult to generate by

An element that generates
an electric power based on
the fact that the stress( dis t o rtio n ) ca u sed b ymechanical energy such as
vibration can change
magnetic ﬂux density. The
characteristics of materials
with large magnetostriction
such as Fe-Ga alloy areused.

conventional technologies, by optimizing materials and fabrication conditions. We have also conﬁrmed that LEDs

Camilla MOIR / Shimpei ONO

can be turned on using a prototype device (Fig. 1).

Electrical Materials Sector,

Materials Science Research Laboratory◇ Fabrication of a magnetostrictive vibrational energy harvester using polycrystalline Fe-Ga alloy andits performance evaluation

We are working on the development of energy harvesters capable of supplying power to sensors free from battery replacement.

To reduce the cost of energy harvesters, we fabricated a magnetostrictive vibrational energy harvester using an
inexpensive polycrystalline Fe-Ga alloy instead of an expensive single crystal Fe-Ga alloy, and found that theSingle-crystal
material

1.5

electric power generation of more than 1 mW can be obtained which is enough to drive a wireless temperature andhumidity sensor that have developed in CRIEPI.

1

The waveform of generated voltage when thevibrational energy harvester is connected toa l o a d r e s i s t a n c e o f 5 1 0 Ω. W e h a v edemonstrated that a magnetostrictive
vibrational energy harvester fabricated frompolycrystalline Fe-Ga alloy can provide an
output of more than 1 mW, although the output
is lower than that of a single-crystal-based
element.

Voltage [V]Magnetostrictive
vibration power
generator

which permanently sustain electric double layer, which is our original technology and to generate electric power

Emerging Technologies

Emerging Technologies

power facilities and structures

Major Research Results

Major Research Results

Emerging
Technologies

Polycrystalline
material

0.5
0
-0.5
-1
-1.5
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

Time [sec]0.04
f=100Hz

Application Examples of Research Results
By spreading standalone sensor network using our technology which is free from battery replacement, we will contribute to the rational
maintenance and operation of electric power facilities by reducing the labor and costs associated with daily maintenance work.

Fig. 1 Vibrational energy harvester using an electric double-layer electret
A device consisting of an electric double-layer electret sandwiched between two electrodes.

58

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

References： Ono, Applied Physics No.87 p.917 (2018)
Ito et al., Proc. of Power MEMS 2018, PT-23h (2018)

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report59

Ⅱ．Financial Statement
1.

Overview of Financial Statement

While ordinary expenses were the same level as those in the previous ﬁscal year, ordinary proﬁt turned negative due to a decrease in ordinary
revenue, which was mainly attributable to a decrease in ordinary beneﬁt received and operating revenue from commissioned research.

Net Assets Variation Statement

Facts & Figures（Unit: 1 mill yen）

Change in general net assets
FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

29,522

29,576△53

Labor costs

10,177

9,909

267

General running costs

19,345

19,667△321

Ordinary expenses

Current ordinary proﬁt

△234

433

△668

Current general net
assets change

△265

3,640

△3,906FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

Transfer to general net assets

161

186

△25

Current designated net
assets change

△11

△78

67

Current net assets change

△276

3,561

△3,838FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

29,28830,010△722

25,07425,385

△311

3,906

4,204

△297

Other revenue

145

233

△88

Transfer from designatednet assets

161

186

△25

FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

150

108

42

Ordinary revenue
Ordinary beneﬁt received
Operating revenue

Change in designated net assets

Subsidy etc. received

Balance Sheet（Unit: 1 mill yen）

AssetsLiabilities
FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

Current liabilities

4,260

5,238

△977

△1,162

Fixed liabilities

8,743

9,357

△613

△1,867

Total liabilities

13,004

14,595△1,591

313

324

△11

General net assets

43,80044,066△265

Total net assets

44,114

44,390△276

FY2018FY2017

Diﬀerence

Current assets

4,954

5,659

△705

Fixed assets

52,16453,326

Total assets

57,11858,986

Net assets
Designated net assets

60

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report61Research Results / Intellectual Property

Research Reports / Research Papers / Intellectual Property

Research Network

This section introduces key data on CRIEPI’s activities, including the number of report publications, number of paper
presentations and number of patent applications.

Fig. 1 Transition in number of reports published（No. of reports）

Research reports, etc.

600
500

453

400

498
281

501

498

222

217

270

259

217

2014

2015

2016

100

279

281

2017

2018 (FY)

Transition in no. of papers presented

Academic papers (peer reviewed)

Papers presented at academic conferences（No. of papers）
1500

1000

1,412

1,339

1,062

971

1,449

1,295

1,092

971

1,399

1,025

500

0

Emerging
technologies

350

368

357

324

374

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 (FY)In recent years, CRIEPI has been strengthening its collaborative relationships with Électricité de France (EDF) and the ElectricPower Research Institute (EPRI) in particular. In FY2018, the MOU was updated with EDF in May, and an annual meeting washeld in October to exchange opinions on the acceptance and dispatch of researchers, for the purpose of further enhancing
cooperation and exchanges.

Others59

10Main Partners for Research Cooperation Agreements and Joint Research

Nuclear power
generation

Utility management 15

88

Environment 19

Institute for Energy Technology (IFE)

Thermal power
generation

Customer services 33

200

Fig. 3

256

183

300

0

515

Commissioned research report

Fig. 2 Breakdown of no. of FY2018 reports by subject field

With the aims of identifying trends in forefront energy-related R&D as well as strengthening and enhancing research networks,
CRIEPI proactively promotes research cooperation agreements and engages in joint research with international partners.

74

Electric powertransmission anddistribution

Hydropower
generation

187

13

Oﬃce for Nuclear
Regulation
European Technology
Development Ltd. (ETD)

National Cooperative for the
Disposal of Radioactive Waste (NAGRA)

Fig. 4 Breakdown of no. of FY2018 papers by subject field

130

28

Utility management 38
Environment 93

Organization for Economic Co-operation andDevelopment / Nuclear Energy Agency(OECD/NEA)

461

Electric powertransmission anddistribution

Thermal power
generation

155

390

Hydropower
generation

27

RenewableenergyUnited States Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC)
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI）
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
National Center for AtmosphericResearch (NCAR)）
Battelle Memorial Institute (BMI)
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Texas Tech University

European Commission

Nuclear power
generation

Customer services 72

Taiwan Power ResearchInstitute（TPRI）
Taiwan Power Company (TPC)

China Electric Power
French Alternative Energies andResearch Institute (CEPRI)
Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
Électricité de France (EDF）
French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (ANDRA）
L’Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)

OthersEmerging
technologies

Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB)
Studsvik Nuclear AB
Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI)
Korea Electric Power Corporation Research Institute (KEPRI)
Fortum Power and Heat
Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company Central
Research Institute (KHNP-CRI)
Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie ‒ Centre
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)
d’Etude de l’Energie Nucléaire (SCK・CEN)
Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety（KINS）
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- undSeoul National University of Science and Technology
Reaktorsicherheit mbH (GRS)
Korea University
Jacobs University Bremen

Participation in International Organizations
Union of the Electricity Industry (EURELECTRIC)
Association of the Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia andWestern Paciﬁc (AESIEAP)World Nuclear Association (WNA)
International Electric Research Exchange (IERE)Electromagnetic Transients Program-Development Coordination
Group (EMTP DCG) Committee

5Fig. 5 Breakdown of no. of FY2018 patent applications by subject field

Fig. 6 Breakdown of no. of FY2018 patent registrations by subject field

Emerging
technologies

4

Environment
Customer services 4

22

Nuclear power generation 9

Emerging
technologies

10

Thermal power
generation

932

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

10

Customer services 2Electric powertransmission anddistribution

14

FY2018 Annual Report

Overview of partnerorganization

Cooperation content

France’s largest electric
power company founded in
1946. Conducts in-house
R&D activities covering allelectric power businesssectors.

Cooperation agreement: Since 2012
(Main) Nuclear power generation (PRA, SA), power transmission andindustry infrastructure, next-generation grid, hydrogen, customer
side(Other) Nuclear power generation (maintenance/operation of power plants,
life management, spent fuel management), renewable energy,
power transmission infrastructure

Electric Power
Research
Institute(EPRI)

A nonproﬁt research
institution established in
Palo Alto, California, U.S.A.
in 1973.

Cooperation agreement: Since 1976
Nuclear reactor material, low-dose-rate radiation, nuclear power risks andsafety management, hydrochemistry/geothermal utilization, electric powertransmission and distribution and the utilization thereof

Southwest
Research
Institute(SwRI)

A nonproﬁt research
institution established in San
Antonio, Texas, U.S.A. in1947.

Cooperation agreement: Since 1997
Information exchange, personnel interaction and conducting of experiments
which CRIEPI cannot conduct due to Japanese regulations, etc.

Nuclear power
generation

Environment

Thermal power
generation

Renewable energy 3

62Partnerorganization

8

Electric powertransmission anddistribution

Main overseas institutions with whom CRIEPI has comprehensive cooperation agreements and the content thereof

Électricitéde France
(EDF)

11

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report63Organization

Locations

Organization

CRIEPI facilities are located in Tokyo and four surrounding prefectures in the Kanto region. These facilities consist of four
research and business activities bases and two testing bases.
To date, we have completed the development of a base in the Yokosuka area, which aims to become a “research base fortechnologies of the energy industry” and are currently proceeding with the development of the Abiko area, which aims tobecome a “research base for natural and environmental science”.

Board ofCouncillors
Board ofDirectors
President

GeneralAuditor

Shiobara Testing Yard

Executive Vice
President★

Akagi Testing Center

Head Oﬃce

Internal Audit Oﬃce

General Aﬀairs Group

Planning GroupAccounting & Finance Group

Public Communications Group

Nuclear Power Plant
Maintenance Research Team

Nuclear Risk Research Center

Energy Innovation Center

Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory

Energy Engineering Research Laboratory

System Engineering Research Laboratory

Abiko Research Contracts & Intellectual Property Section

Yokosuka Research Contracts & Intellectual Property Section

Planning and Administrative Team

Risk Informed Decision Making Promotion Team

Risk Assessment Research Team

External Natural Event Research Team

Radiation Safety Research Center

High Power Testing Laboratory

PD Center

Shiobara Testing Yard

Materials Science Research Laboratory

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Backend Research Center

Electric Power Engineering Research Laboratory

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory

As of June 2018

★ Eight Research Laboratories

CRIEPI’s research division essentially consists of eight research laboratories, each specializing in a speciﬁc subject ﬁeld, with the aim ofstrengthening consistent research capability in each ﬁeld to cover everything from basic to applied research. In addition, by forming

Komae Area
Komae Operation & Service Center
2-11-1 Iwadokita, Komae-shi, Tokyo 201-8511

Environmental Science Research Laboratory

Civil Engineering Research Laboratory, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, AbikoOperation & Service Center, Procurement Center
1646 Abiko, Abiko-shi, Chiba 270-1194
TEL: +81-4-7182-1181

Socio-economic Research Center

Abiko Area

Akagi Testing Center

Energy Innovation Center, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory, Energy Engineering ResearchLaboratory, System Engineering Research Laboratory, Electric Power Engineering ResearchLaboratory, Materials Science Research Laboratory, Yokosuka Operation & Service Center
2-6-1 Nagasaka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa 240-0196
TEL: +81-46-856-2121

Safety Management Center

Yokosuka Area

Yokosuka Operation & Service Center

Internal Audit Oﬃce, Head Oﬃce, Nuclear Risk Research Center, Socio-economic Research Center
1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8126
TEL: +81-3-3201-6601

Abiko Operation & Service Center

Otemachi Area

Komae Operation & Service Center

Yokosuka Area

● Abiko Area
﹇ Research base for natural and﹈environmental science●
Yokosuka
Area﹇ Research base for technologies of the﹈energy industry

Otemachi Head Oﬃce

Komae Area

Procurement Center

Abiko Area

Research Laboratories and Centerscross-laboratory projects, CRIEPI conducts a matrix-type research framework able to respond ﬂexibly to the needs of the electrical power industry.

TEL: +81-3-3480-2111■ Nuclear Risk Research Center（ NRRC）
NRRC was established in October 2014 to contribute to voluntary eﬀorts and continuous improvement of nuclear power plant safety by electric
power companies. Through close liaison with business operators, the NRRC is promoting research into large-scale natural disasters and otherlow-frequency natural external events, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), decision-making utilizing risk information, development of the latest risk
communication techniques and other R&D aimed at risk mitigation.

Akagi Testing Center
2567 Naegashima-machi, Maebashi-shi Gunma 371-0241

TEL: +81-27-283-2721▲ Energy Innovation Center（ ENIC）
ENIC was established in October 2016 with the aim of comprehensively and eﬃciently solving issues of both the electric power sales and power
distribution divisions and contributing to electric power business reform through utilization of IoT and AI. ENIC engages in research relating toadvancement of electric power supply-demand management and the digital transformation of the electric power business. It also strives to achieveswift solution proposals through the Technology Promotion Unit set up within ENIC.

Shiobara Testing Yard
1033 Sekiya, Nasushiobara-shi Tochigi 329-2801

TEL: +81-287-35-2048● Nuclear Power Plant Maintenance Research Team
This special research team leverages the combined strengths of CRIEPI’s experts in a diversity of ﬁelds including nuclear power engineering,materials science and electrical engineering, to promote research in the name of securing light water reactor safety, such as countermeasures forthe aging of nuclear power equipment.

64

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report65Keyword Index

Environmental Activities

Keyword Index

As part of our Environmental Guidelines, we aim to create a prosperous and sustainable society. We conduct research anddevelopment activities concerning environmental conservation not only in local communities but also on a global scale, and use
the outcome of these activities to contribute to society. In addition, we regard “the environmentally conscious laboratory
management” as one of our most important management policies, and are carrying out improvement activities on a continuous
basis.
Environmental Guidelines: https://criepi.denken.or.jp/en/aboutcriepi/mission.html
The performance data for our environmental activities in FY2018 is as follows:
The total energy consumption of the laboratory was 10,686 kl crude oil equivalent (3.0% reduction from the previous year), andCO₂ emissions were 19,720 tons (5.3% reduction from the previous year). The amount of waste discharged was 539 tons (23.9%
reduction from the previous year), and the recycling rate was 61.8% (decrease of 1.1 points from the previous year). We will
make ongoing eﬀorts to improve our environmental performance.

A

G

ALARA .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Gas turbine combined cycle .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Arc energy amount .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Gravity concrete dam .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Arc discharge .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Arch dam ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

H
HIMAWARI-8 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

[ Energy Input and Output ]B

Volatile oil
Kerosene
Light oil
Heavy oil A

461 GJ
258 GJ
199 GJ859 GJ

Research
work
activities

792 GJ
306 GJ
2,223 GJ

Amount of CO 2 emitted
19,720 t

Burnup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

IEC 61850 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

C

Information bank ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Carrier lifetime .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Integrated coal gasification combined cycle(IGCC) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Computational fluid dynamics .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Continuous energy Monte Carlo method(MC method) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Intermediate depth disposal .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
IPCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CO2 emission per kWh generated .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

L10,686 kl(Crude oil
equivalent)

Steam
524 GJ
Cold water 2,358 GJ

I

Imbalanced price .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Amount ofenergyconsumed
Steam coal 2,556 GJ. . . . .54
Balancing market .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36,

D

Load frequency control (LFC) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Dam gate ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Local wind .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Deformation criteria .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Amount ofwaste discharged
539 t

Design code .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Dose rate .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9Doppler lidar .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Doppler sodar .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Purchased electricity
403,652 GJ

E
Amount recycled
333 tElectric double-layer electret .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Environmental vibration .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Explosion crushed wood pellet .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Extended finite element method (XFEM) .. . . . .

8Long-term meteorological re-analysis data
CRIEPI-RCM-Era2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

M
Magnetostrictive vibration power generator . . 58
Metal cask .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9N. . . . 48
NuWFAS .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40,
Non-fossil-value trading market .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

O
OUCHI MONITOR KIT .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

66

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report

67

Keyword Index

LPG
LNG
City gas

Page no.

P
Personal data ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
PiN diode ........................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power supply and demand management
method ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

. . 20
Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) .. . . . . . . . .8,. . . . 10
Pulverized coal fired power generation .. . .10,
28
R
Radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic field .. . 44
Radio wave protection guideline ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
RA MP ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Keyword Index

Reference earthquake ground motion .. . . . . . . . 18

S
SiC power semiconductor ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Specific absorption rate (SAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Spent fuel pool/pit (SFP) ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8Photo by Kira Sugiyama. . . . 28
Sub-bituminous coal .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . .11,

“Industrial research is the cultivation of wisdom,and should therefore contribute to society”

X

Yasuzaemon Matsunaga （1875-1971）
CRIEPI Founder, 2nd President

XTAP ............................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

［ About the Cover Design ］
The lines of diﬀerent colors and angles signify CRIEPI’s tireless eﬀorts tocreate a better futureThese lines, which are the unraveled form of CRIEPI’s ﬁrst letter“C”,
appear in many colors to represent the diverse subject ﬁelds of CRIEPI’s
research and each of these ﬁelds converge at a single point.
That point of convergence is CRIEPI.
68

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

FY2018 Annual Report