Summary
Entrusted Work Concerning the Development and Disclosure of Basic
Zoning Information Concerning Renewable Energies (FY 2017)
The introduction of renewable energies is important not only as a countermeasure for global
warming but also from such viewpoints as establishing energy security, developing autonomousand scattered energy systems and creating new industries and jobs. For this reason, in an effort
to create basic data for the introduction and spread of renewable energies in the coming years,
the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) conducted the Study on the Potential for theIntroduction of Renewable Energies in FY 2009 and FY 2010 and the Development of Basic
Zoning Information Concerning Renewable Energies in FY 2011 through FY 2016, thereby
estimating the abundance as well as introduction potential of renewable energies (PV power,wind power, small and medium-scale hydropower, geothermal heat, solar heat and undergroundheat) in Japan and their possible introduction amounts by different scenarios and developing
basic zoning information.
In this work, the information and tools developed so far by the MoE regarding renewableenergies have been compiled into a prototype WebGIS system and a summary document
featuring the work in previous years has been produced from the viewpoint of improving theconvenience of such information, etc. for users. Moreover, for the purpose of the more effective
utilisation of the results of the work in previous years, comparative analysis of the introduction
potential of renewable energies and actual performance of introducing renewable energies wasconducted in addition to the preparation of heat demand maps.
1. Development of Prototype Information Service Site Using WebGIS and Verification of its
Effectiveness
Assuming the transmission of information using the WebGIS function and information searchfunction of the Environmental Assessment Database operated by the MoE, the necessary
requirements were identified along with the development of prototypes of additional functions
and rearrangement of the pending tasks for the full-scale operation of such an information
service. For the execution of this work, meetings were held along with coordination work
concerning the operation and management of these functions with the Environmental Impact
Assessment Division, Minister’s Secretariat, MoE which is responsible for the operation andmanagement of the Environmental Assessment Database. In addition, the necessary
requirements and additional functions to enable the transmission of information were sorted out.

S-1

Fig. 1 Top page of the developed web system

2. Examination of Desirable Transmission of Information for Facilitation of the Wider Use ofRenewable Energies
The desirable way to transmit information to facilitate the wider use of renewable energies wasexamined, including the most appropriate information transmission method, while referring toexamples in various foreign countries. Linkage with the “information service sites using theWebGIS” to be developed is included in the overall perspective and possible linkage withexisting information service sites was examined.
3. Compilation of Introduction Potential, etc. of Renewable Energies Established in PreviousYears and Preparation of a Summary Document
Following discussions with the officer in charge at the MoE, the preconditions and estimation
results established by the work in previous years were sorted out for easy understanding andwere compiled into a single booklet as a reference material easily accessible by users. A
summary document compiling the said preconditions and results of studies in previous years
was also prepared as an auxiliary document.
4.

Refinement of Potential Analysis Tool Pertaining to Small and Medium Hydropower
GenerationS-2

Work was conducted to improve the convenience of the “Potential Analysis Tool Pertaining toSmall and Medium Hydropower Generation” which was prepared under the “Entrusted Work
Concerning the Development and Disclosure of Basic Zoning Information Concerning
Renewable Energies and Study on Actual Performance Pertaining to the Introduction ofRenewable Energy Systems (FY 2016)” by means of diversifying the applicable parameters(cost, pipeline length, etc.) and adding a function to simultaneously display the computation
results based on different conditions. Moreover, the adequacy of the tool was verified using
multiple data on actual cases of small and medium hydropower generation.

Fig. 2

Example of a newly added function (simultaneous display function for computationresults)

5. Basic Examination Work Towards the Preparation of Heat Demand Maps
Basic examination work was conducted to develop and disclose “heat demand maps” which
visualise the heat demand of individual geographical areas and buildings. These maps
constitute basic data for the work to examine the feasibility of developing a local area heat
supply project as a viable business and to refine the estimation of introduction potential ofheat generated by renewable energies. To be more precise, the possibility of preparing highly
accurate head demand maps was examined by means of a literature survey, examination of aviable method to establish the unit heat demand of public facilities using carbon management
data and other work to address such pending issues as “There is no map with elaboratebuilding categories.” and “Can not set high-precision demand intensity model or demandmodel formula.”.

S-3

6. Study and Analysis Pertaining to Introduction Performance of Renewable Energies
The introduction potential of renewable energies and volume of introduction of renewableenergies were compared and a reference material visualizing the utilisation status of thepotential of renewable energies in each local area was prepared using mapping data, etc.

Fig. 3 Introduction potential of wind power generation (minimum of 20 kW) by municipality(completed introduction plus planned introduction)

S-4