For the Realization ofEnergy System for Sustainable Society

2-6-1 Nagasaka, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa 240-0196
T EL: + 81-46-856-2121

Structuredto
todrivedrive innovation
Structuredby promoting the application offundamental technologies across research areas
Each Research Laboratory consists of divisions organized according to the fundamental technologies
they focus on, promoting the wide application of fundamental technologies across different researchareas.In addition, the Strategy and Planning Division established in each Research Laboratory strategically facilitates cross-organizational research projects and cooperation with outside parties withthe aims of bringing together the knowledge of different organizations and accelerating the deliveryof outcomes.
Strategy and Planning Division
Strategy and Planning Division

ENIC Division

Plant Systems Engineering Division
Energy Transformation Research Laboratory

Grid Innovation Research Laborator

Grid and Communication Technology Division

Materials Science Division

Electric Facility Technology Division

Performance Demonstration (PD) Center

High Power Testing Center

Energy Chemistry Division● Development of innovative energy● Realization of zero-emission thermal power generation

・Development of hydrogen production andutilization technologies

・Development of combustion technologies suitable for hydrogen carriers

conversion and storage technologies

・Assessment of potential of hydrogen energy carriers
・Development of rechargeable battery evaluation technologies
・Development of basic technology of poly-generation system

・Development of CO2 emission reduction technologies

・Development of thermal power control and management technologies toaccelerate introduction of renewable energy● Lifetime extension of nuclear power plants anddevelopment of next-generation nuclear reactor

・Development of technologies for utilization and stable operation of existing
light-water reactors
・Reﬁnement of structural integrity evaluation methods for pressure vesselsand core internals
・Establishment of nuclear fuel cycle technologies and support for nuclear
facility decommissioning
・Development of fundamental technologies necessary for evaluation ofrequire-ments for next-generation nuclear reactors

Shiobara Testing Yard

● Establishment of new nation-wide power system

and advanced regional energy supply systems

・Keeping power system stability under the accelerated introduction ofrenewable energy
・Establishment of locally supply and demand balanced system bycombining renewable energy, rechargeable batteries, and demand-sidecontrol
・Development of power distribution platforms to collect and share
information on the power distribution system and link it to VPPs (virtualpower plants)
・Establishment of communication technologies that combine real-time
performance with interconnectivity and high degree of reliability
including cybersecurity● Realization of all-electriﬁed society

・Promotion of energy conservation and electriﬁcation incommercial, industrial, and transportation sectors
・Performance improvement and deployment of electricutilization technologies, such as heat pumps, electric vehicles,
heating equipment, and electriﬁcation of agriculture● Promotion of digital transformation in powerand energy ﬁelds utilizing artiﬁcial intelligence,
data science, human behavior research, etc.

● Support for asset management of electric

power equipment

・Enhancement of resilience・Optimal operation and maintenance of aging equipment

Transforming power generation
Energy Transformation (EX) Research Laboratory

Director

Masami Ashizawa

The electric power industry and the other energy
industries are undergoing a historic turning point
never experienced before, with the goal of achieving
net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the middle ofthis century. We will contribute to realization ofSEEDS: Sustainable Energy Ecosystem makes Decarbonized Society, which a society that sustains a highquality of life, through transformation the energy
systems and implementation them in society with ouracademic-based expertise and creativity to generate
new value.There are the three keys to achieving
Energy Transformation (EX) shown as follows.
i) "Build and maintain the best energy mix" to ensure
energy security by avoiding geopolitical risks andimproving energy independence.ii) "Decarbonize thepower sector" to be enabled by maintaining anddeveloping nuclear power, achieving zero emissions
from thermal power with advanced circulation
system of elements, and promoting renewable power.
iii) "Form an advanced energy network" incorporating hydrogen and synthetic gas production, transportation, and storage in the electric power system toimprove ﬂexibility and resilience.
To rea l ize ou r f ut u re v ision of SE EDS , t h ree
research divisions ― Plant Systems, Materials
Science, and Energy Chemistry ― are united in ourdaily adventures. Why don t you join us?

Innovating power grids
Grid Innovation (GI) Research Laboratory

DirectorKoushitici Nemoto

With recent changes in international circumstances,energy security has become a global issue. As a result,renewed emphasis is being placed on S+3E. In particular,
environmental compatibility, mainly in the form ofcarbon neutrality (CN), requires simultaneously advancing the electriﬁcation of energy demand and decarbonization of power sources. Additionally, the power systems
that support these efforts need to be developed into a
multi-layer and multi-functional industrial structure
consisting of a grid infrastructure layer, which primarilyconsists of power equipment, and a cyber layer thatutilizes digital data. The grid infrastructure layer
includes the use of renewable energy as the main powersource and the utilization of distributed energy resources(DER), while the cyber layer includes the use of big dataobtained from power infrastructure and other sources.
Furthermore, the prosumerization of the demand side

will create the possibility of more ﬂexible adjustment of
the balance of electricity supply and demand, and various
innovations are expected. In response to the needs andexpectations of society, the electric power system is also
entering an era of once-in-a-century transformation.
The mission of the Grid Innovation Research Laboratory(GI) is to support S+3E from the perspectives of grid technologies and power utilization technologies. In the wordsof Yasuzaemon Matsunaga, Industrial research is thereﬁnement of knowledge and virtue, and therefore should
contribute to society, and we hope to be able to contribute to the stable and economical supply of electric power
and the efﬁcient utilization of energy.
Note: Japan s energy policy sets S+3E as its basis, withsafety as the major premise, and efforts are being madeto simultaneously achieve energy security, economic
efﬁciency, and environmental compatibility.

Development of energy conversion technologies for
improving ability to adjust supply and demand
Thermal power generation has played a key role in the adjustment ofsupply and demand in the past, and its importance is increasing
when renewable energy expands into power grids. On the otherhand, CO 2 emissions from thermal power generation must bereduced. To achieve this, CRIEPI is investigating energy conversion
technologies, including gasiﬁcation, biomass application, and fuelcells/electrolysis, and evaluating their applicability (the time required
for their realization and the scale and location of their application),eﬃciency, cost, etc. CRIEPI is also developing a polygeneration
system with CO 2 capture (*), which is a promising technology.(*)
Polygeneration system with CO2 capture: A system that reduces thecost of CO2 capture by making proper use of CO2 at facilities wherecoal, carbon-based waste, and biomass are gasiﬁed, and theobtained syngas is used for power generation or the production ofvaluable chemicals according to the demand for electricity.

(*) Polygeneration system with CO2 capture: A system that reduces the cost of CO2
capture by making proper use of CO2 at facilities where coal, carbon-based waste,
and biomass are gasiﬁed, and the obtained syngas is used for power generation or
the production of valuable chemicals according to the demand for electricity.

Development of technologies for production andutilization of hydrogen and ammonia
Hydrogen is increasingly expected to play a major role in therealization of a carbon-neutral society worldwide. CRIEPI isperforming research and development on hydrogen production
technologies, particularly technologies for evaluating alkaline
water electrolysis and polymer electrolyte membrane waterelectrolysis, as well as next-generation electrolysis technologies such as solid oxide electrolysis. We are also studying anddeveloping hydrogen use technologies, particularly those related to hydrogen and ammonia power generation, including
ammonia co-ﬁring in coal-ﬁred power generation and the operation and maintenance of hydrogen gas turbines, with the aim ofachieving zero-emission thermal power plants. In addition, weare carrying out research on assessing the economic eﬃciency
and environmental performance of the entire hydrogen supply
chain from production to transport, storage, and use.

Assessment of safety and performance ofrechargeable batteries
Assessment of safety and performance of rechargeable batteriesAs renewable energy is increasingly becoming the main
source of power, the use of rechargeable batteries is expected
to expand for the absorption of surplus power of variable
renewable energy and stabilization of power grids. To utilize
rechargeable batteries as resources for energy storage stationsand virtual power plants in various power markets such as thebalancing energy market and the capacity market, maintaining
performance and ensuring safety during long-term operation ofrechargeable batteries is prerequisite.CRIEPI is developing
performance evaluation technologies for lithium-ion batteries,
which are rapidly increasing their use cases. Furthermore, weare conducting research and development of all-solid-statebatteries, which are using non-ﬂammable materials, for energy
storage that can reduce the risk of accidents, as well as eliminate restrictions on where storage batteries can be installed.

Design and evaluation of next-generationnuclear reactors
To utilize nuclear power, which is a carbon-free powersource that enables a stable supply of electricity withenhanced safety, we are conducting research to clarify
the technical requirements for next-generation reactors.
We are also carrying out R&D studies on the feasibilityof (1) oﬀshore ﬂoating nuclear power plants considering
their heaving in the sea and (2) passive safety systems
that practically eliminate core melts by using seawater.
In addition, we are developing a method for neutronicand thermal-hydraulic coupled analysis that is useful forachieving high economic eﬃciency. It will be achieved
through the utilization of next-generation nuclear reactors, such as those with load-following operation, ensuring fuel integrity, and reducing the amount of spent fuel.
Fu r t hermore, we a re id e ntif ying issu es likely to be
discussed in reviewing next-generation nuclear reactors
and launching research projects that will contribute toresolving these issues.

CRIEPI is where innovation is born
Development of power system stabilization
technologies for accelerating introduction ofrenewable energy
With the target of developing renewable energy into the major
power source toward carbon neutrality, the capacity of wind
power generation and photovoltaic generation will be greatlyexpanded. It is necessary to ensure the stability of power systems
even if the System Non-Synchronous Penetration (SNSP) increases. CRIEPI is developing power system stabilization technologies
including those for the control of inverter-based resources (IBR),
such as renewable energy sources and battery energy storage
systems, and the use of a motor‒generator (M‒G) set that is acomposite device of a synchronous motor and a synchronous
generator mechanically coupled through the common shaft anddriven by renewable resources and energy storages. CRIEPI isalso pursuing the development of the Real-time Smart Digital Twin(RSDT) that duplicates the characteristics of power systems on acomputer and facilitates the advanced analysis of them. The RSDT
will contribute to implementing appropriate stabilization measuresby collecting information on power systems in real time and grasping their characteristics.

Development of technologies for formation andoperation of next-generation regional grids
In line with the eﬀorts to position renewable energy as the main
power source, the stabilization of power systems, the independence and decentralization of regional grids, and the local
production and consumption of electric power are required.
Along with this, it is also necessary to enhance resilience andto cope ﬂexibly with diverse forms of power supply and the useof renewable energy. To achieve carbon neutrality in Japan by
2050, our Research Laboratory is developing technologies forregional grid formation and tools to support the operation ofregional grids. We are also conducting veriﬁcation tests onprotection schemes against reverse power ﬂow into generator
vehicles, the soundness assessment techniques for powersystems aﬀected by a disaster, and the blackout start systems,
by carrying out analyses using the tools developed by ourResearch Laboratory. Our aim is to ensure a reliable power
supply to areas experiencing a blackout due to a disasterthrough the use of generator vehicles and renewable energy
power sources.

Development of asset management techniques
for electric power equipment
Electric power transmission and distribution equipment is critical and essential infrastructure that supports modern society.
It is necessary to estimate aging and functional failures of eachpiece of equipment, and to ensure the cost-eﬀective operationand maintenance. For this purpose, our Research Laboratory
is developing asset management support techniques based on
the characteristics of each major equipment. The accuracy offailure rate estimation is improved by clarifying the deterioration
mechanism by assessing the residual performance of aged
equipment removed from actual ﬁelds, accelerated deterioration tests, etc., and development of diagnosis techniques. Suchprogress will lead to reliable risk assessment. Using theseresults, we are developing support techniques to optimize maintenance strategies of electric power transmission and distribution equipment by considering cost and risk.

Accelerating DX in Electric Power Industry
Digital transformation or DX is of signiﬁcant importance toachieve eﬃcient operations in the electric power industry.
By integrating our optimization, prediction and numericalcomputation technologies with emerging artiﬁcial intelligence (AI), data science (DS), human ethology, web andcloud technologies, we create new methods and experiences. In addition, we are now developing the Web Simulation Framework (WSF) that makes possible to use allkinds of simulations on the web to change the simulationindustry.