SUMMARY
Study on Basic Zoning Information Concerning Renewable Energies (FY 2014)
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
autonomous and scattered energy systems and creating new industries and jobs. For thisreason, the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) conducted the Study on the Potential for
the Introduction of Renewable Energies in FY 2009 and FY 2010 and the Developmentof Basic Zoning Information in FY 2011 through FY 2013 to estimate the abundance aswell as introduction potential of various types of renewable energies (residential use of
PV power, use of PV for public buildings, wind power, small and medium-scalehydropower, geo-thermal power, geo-heat and solar heat) and their possible introduction
amount by different scenarios with a view to developing basic data for the examinationof viable measures to introduce and spread the use of renewable energies in the coming
years. At the same time, basic zoning information was developed. The present work
refined the potential of introducing renewable energies investigated in previous years andgathered as well as sorted out basic zoning information for the purpose of promoting theunderstanding and convenience of using and introducing renewable energies among
citizens, public authorities and businesses, etc., thereby facilitating the introduction ofsuch energies. In addition, the establishment and operating method of a portal size and a
database system were examined for the disclosure and provision of basic zoning
information.
1. Refinement of the Introduction Potential of Each Type of Renewable Energy(1) Refinement of the Introduction Potential of Small and Medium-Scale Hydropower
Generation
1) Examination of a Viable Method to Estimate the Introduction Potential Through theDevelopment of the Breaking-Up of Virtual Power Plants with a Long Link
In the case of those virtual power plants with a link length of 5 km or more based on
past study results, a method to break-up such a long link was examined to verify theeffects of such breaking-up. Table 1 shows the results of comparison of the installedcapacity before and after the first break-up. Table 2 shows the number and proportionof virtual power plants of which the unit construction cost following the first breakup is ¥2.6 million/kW or less. As this break-up allowed the inclusion of the flow
volume along the link, the resulting installed capacity increased by approximately
1.3 times compared to the pre-break-up figure. The number of virtual power plantsof which the unit construction cost is ¥2.6 million/kW or less also increased byapproximately 2.2%.

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Table 1 Comparison of the Installed Capacity Before and After the First Break-Up
Item
Installed Capacity
Total installed capacity before the breaking-up of virtual power plants with
2,330,769 kW
a link length of 5 km or more(A)
Total installed capacity after the breaking-up of virtual power plants with a
3,065,420 kW
link length of 5 km or more
(B)
Installed capacity ratio: B/A  1.3
Table 2

Number and Proportion of Virtual Power Plants of Which the Unit Construction Cost After theFirst Break-Up is Less than ¥2.6 million/kW
Number of Virtual Power Plants of Proportion of Virtual Power Plants ofWhich the Unit Construction Cost is Which the Unit Construction Cost isLess than ¥2.6 million/kW
Less than ¥2.6 million/kW
Before break-up
1,152 sites
23.3%
After break-up
2,464 sites
25.5%
ChangeIncrease by 1,312 sites
Increase by 2.2%

2) Renewal of Basic Data
The elevation values, flow volume data and the formula to estimate the construction
cost have been renewed. In the past, the elevation value of each segment wasdetermined based on a digital map for elevation (50 m mesh) of the Geospatial
Information Authority (GSI) of Japan. In the latest study, this method was changed
to the use of fundamental geospatial data (digital elevation model with 10 m mesh)of GSI. As a result of this change, the average difference in elevation (i.e. the headof virtual power plants) decreased by approximately 1.67 m compared to the past
study.
New flow volume data was gathered using the same method in the Report for the
Nationwide Survey of the Abundance of Small Hydropower Generation Resources
in FY 2008 published in March, 2009 by the Global Environmental Bureau of the
Ministry of the Environment. As a result, the total maximum flow volume value
based on the installed capacity decreased by some 10% compared to thecorresponding value in 2009.
For estimation of the construction cost, it was decided to use the formula in the
Handbook for Estimation of the Hydropower Plant Construction Cost published by
the Resources and Energy Agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
in March, 2013. As a result, the unit construction cost decreased across different link
lengths (1,000 ~ 5,000 m with a 1,000 m pitch) by 12% to 25% compared to theresults of the formula used for the 2009 study.
3) Re-Estimation of the Introduction Potential of Small and Medium-Scale Hydropower
Generation
Using the results in 1) and 2) above, the abundance and the introduction potential
were re-estimated. Fig. 1 shows the distribution of abundance (after correction)*.
Before correction, 185,307 virtual power plant sites with a total installed capacity of
24.02 million kW were identified. After correction, the number of virtual power plantS-8

sites decreased to 32,418 with a total installed capacity of 16.85 million kW.
Compared to the 2010 study results, the abundance before correction decreased bysome 9% but the abundance after correction was almost the same.
* “Correction” here actually means two types of correction: correction based on theunit construction cost and correction based on the scale of the facility.

Fig. 1 Distribution of Abundance (After Correction)(2) Refinement of the Introduction Potential of Geothermal Power Generation
Based on the distribution map of the resources density created in the Entrusted Detailed
Study and Analysis of the Introduction Potential Concerning Geothermal Power
Generation in FY 2013 of the MoE, the introduction potential by scenario (flash steam
power generation and binary power generation) and the introduction potential at nationaland quasi-national parks were estimated.
1) Estimation of the Introduction Potential by Scenario
To estimate the introduction potential of flash steam power generation, three
scenarios (purchase price of 38, 40 and 42 yen/kWh with a purchase period of 15
years) were set up for estimation based on the estimation conditions (project cost andspecifications of equipment, etc., related costs and other relevant matters) used in thepast study. As a result, the baseline introduction potential (involving no national or
quasi-national park or directional drilling) was 6.18 to 6.55 million kW. The
conditional introduction potential (1) (involving no national or quasi-national park
but involving directional drilling) was 9.60 to 10.63 million kW while the conditional
introduction potential (2) (involving a national or quasi-national park but notdirectional drilling) was 10.86 to 11.92 million kW.

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To estimate the introduction potential of binary power generation, three scenarios
were considered for each temperature range of between 120C and 150C andbetween 120C and 180C. These scenarios were the baseline scenario (involving nonational or quasi-national park or directional drilling) and two cases of conditional
introduction potential (2) (involving a national or quasi-national park but notdirectional drilling) with drilling excavation and without the consideration of drilling.
For this estimation exercise, the same estimation conditions (except for a change ofthe transmission line construction cost) and three scenarios (purchase price of 40, 50
and 60 yen/kWh (inclusive of the drilling cost) or 38, 40 and 42 yen/kWh (exclusiveof the drilling cost) with a purchase period of 15 years) used for flash steam power
generation were also used. As a result, the baseline introduction potential (involving
no national or quasi-national park or directional drilling) for the temperature rangeof between 120C and 180C with the drilling cost being included was estimated to
be 52,000 to 490,000 kW. In the case of the temperature range of between 120C and180C with the drilling cost being not included, the introduction potential without
drilling was estimated to be 8.33 million kW to 9.5 million kW.
2) Estimation of the Introduction Potential at National and Quasi-National Parks
The introduction potential of geothermal power generation in national and quasinational parks was estimated for each of the different cases featuring flash steam
power generation (temperature of  150C,  180C and  200C), binary power
generation (temperature of between 120C and 150C and between 120C and180C) and low temperature binary power generation (temperature of between 53C
and 120C and between 80C and 120C) Some examples of the estimation results
are shown in Table 3.
Table 3 Examples of the Introduction Potential Estimation Results for National and Quasi-National Parks(Flash Steam Power Generation with a Minimum Temperature of 150C)(Unit: million kW)
Category of
OutsideOrdinary Area Class 3
Class 2
SpecialPark
National orSpecial Area
Special Area
Protection
Overground/
QuasiArea and Class
Underground
National Park
1 Special Area
Overground
6.68
1.17
3.17
3.01 (Outside thescope ofestimation)
Underground(Outside the(Outside the
1.49
2.60
2.15
(directional
scope ofscope ofdrilling)
estimation)
estimation)* The introduction potential in the underground (with directional drilling) covers an area within 1.5 km of
the perimeter (as long as it is not included in an area subject to a higher level of protection).
* The perimeter means the boundary between the park in question and a lesser ranked park.

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(3) Refinement of the Introduction Potential of Geo-Heat (Heat Pump)
1) Examination of the Feasibility of Estimating the Introduction Potential for
Agricultural Facilities
The available literature concerning the thermal demand at agricultural facilities wasgathered to establish the amount of thermal demand and affecting factors (site area,
ambient temperature, indoor temperature, external wall materials, agricultural
products and others). The feasibility of estimating the introduction potential was
examined in reference to three possible approaches:  estimation by mesh as a unit
using the relevant GIS data,  estimation by prefecture as a unit using statistical dataon thermal demand and  estimation by prefecture as a unit using statistical data on
agricultural products. Approach  was judged to be a feasible method and a trial was
conducted to estimate the thermal demand for heating at agricultural facilities, usableamount of heat when geo-heat is used and the introduction potential of geo-heat. The
estimated results were 11.9 billion MJ/year for the thermal demand for heating at
agricultural facilities, 16.8 billion MJ/year for the usable amount of heat when geoheat is used and 11.1 billion MJ/year for the introduction potential of geo-heat.
2) Estimation of the Introduction Potential of Geo-Heat by Scenario (Heat Pump)
Apart from a study on the basic thermal demand unit, maximum heating/airconditioning load, annual thermal load, etc. by building category, information was
gathered and sorted out regarding such matters as the initial investment amount for atypical example of introducing the use of geo-heat (installation cost of a heatexchange well for geo-heat and cost of a heat pump unit using geo-heat as the heatsource), the initial investment cost of a baseline system (cost of a heat pump unit
using air as the heat source, plumbing cost, trial operation cost, etc.), income plan
(reduction of the payable electricity charge) and expenditure plan (repair
expenditure). Based on such information, the baseline figures, COP of the absorption
chiller-heater and unit cost of the maximum heating load using a oil-fired boiler were
determined. This was followed by determination of the conditions for trial calculationof the project viability after some revisions, including deletion of the correction
coefficient for the heat collection rate. Based on these conditions, the introduction
potential was re-estimated for each scenario concerning the subsidy, etc. The results
were 1.79 million to 139.31 million kW for the installed capacity and 13.7 billion to418.1 billion MJ/year for the heat supply (Table 4).

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No.

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2
3
4
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Table 4 Introduction Potential by Scenario for the Utilization of Geo-Heat (Heat Pump)
Scenario Title
Contents
Installed
Heat Supply
Capacity(billion MJ/year)(million kW)
BAU (Business as
No subsidy or any other special
1.79
13.7
Usual)=Status Quo measures are introduced.
Geo-Heat Energy
Installed capacity: 50%;
5.58
68.2
Mix
Annual thermal load: 67%
Introduction ofSubsidy rate: 33%
38.78
174.5
Subsidy
Subsidy rate: 50%
139.31
418.5
Geo-Heat Energy
Installed capacity: 50%; annual
54.05
346.4
Mix + Subsidy
thermal load: 67%; subsidy:
33%
Purchase Assumed Assumed purchase price(assumed to be similar to that of
PV power generation (minimum
34.17
346.3
output of 10 kW (whole amountpurchase)): ¥36/kWh
Technological
20% off both the initial
27.78
135.6
Development
investment and running

3) Planning of a Questionnaire Survey to Refine the Basic Thermal Load and Thermal
Demand Units
The categories subject to a priority study were selected from 11 categories of building
for which the introduction potential, etc. was to be estimated. This was followed by
the establishment of the concrete buildings subject to the said study in each prioritised
category and the likely study contents were examined. A questionnaire survey sheet(draft) was also prepared in relation to determination of the basic thermal load andthermal demand units.
2. Consolidation of Basic Zoning Information on Each Type of Renewable Energy(1) Consolidation of Basic Zoning Information on Wind Power Generation
The possibility of GIS data requiring sorting out in addition to GIS data on the basic
zoning information list prepared in the past study was reviewed to update and consolidate
the listed data. Information which was judged to command high priority among the listed
information and which could be made into GIS data within FY 2014 was made into GIS
data (Figs. 2 and 3).

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Fig. 2

Map Showing Target Practice Fig. 3 Map Showing Farming Areas
Zones, etc. for the Japan Air SelfDefence Force(2) Consolidation of Basic Zoning Information on Small and Medium-Scale
Hydropower Generation
Based on the updated introduction potential data, 27 especially promising virtual power
plant sites were selected and various types of relevant information, including a local map,
specifications of thesevirtual power plants andestimated flow duration
curve were arranged in theform of a standardised casefile format(26 file) (Fig. 4).
Of these promising virtual
power plant sites, two sites
with unclear site conditions
were selected to compare
the inferred data with actual
data collected on-site.
Fig. 4 Example of Case File
(3) Consolidation of Basic Zoning Information on Geo-Heat Utilisation (Heat Pumps)
There are three principal sources of useful information on local areas in connection withthe utilisation of geo-heat (heat pumps). These are (i) KuniJiban, a search site for national
geotechnical information jointly operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism and the Airport Research Institute, (ii) Water Environment Maps
published by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and(iii) heat collection rate of the ground in each locality estimated in the FY 2013 study.
The possibility of making the information/data provided by these sources into GIS data
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was examined. The likely visual presentation of such information/data to users was also
explored.

Fig. 5 Presentation of Data on KuniJiban Web Pages
3.

Public Release of Basic Zoning Information and Examination of an Information
System(1) Examination of Methods to Develop and Operate a Portal Site
Based on the results of the past study, the situation of the consolidation of principal
information which should preferably be dealt with by a portal site was rechecked. In
regard to the types of information which have not yet been consolidated, the necessityand priority of such information was determined. A concrete way of materialising “therequired functions of a portal site” was also examined. An interview survey with theadministrators of those portal sites of which the operating criteria, operating conditions
and operating system would constitute useful references for the planned portal site and adraft operating method for the planned portal site was prepared.
(2) Examination of the Development and Operating Method of a GIS System
Based on the results of the past study, an efficient as well as effective form of a GIS
system with a low operating load was examined to handle the results of the past study,
followed by further examination of the desirable functions, operation management,
expandability and other aspects of this system. Also compiled were the types of
information to be dealt with by this GIS system, method of transmitting updated data,
screens for the principal contents concerning the database system and draft screentransition procedure. In regard to the GIS system operating method, the likely
monitoring items of the operation were examined.

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