[Japan] JERA Joined Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition

On January 14, 2020, JERA (Japan’s Energy for a new eRA)[1] announced that it had joined the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition, to advance the development of ocean-based renewable energy and mitigate the impact of climate change. JERA is a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Fuel & Power (headquartered in Tokyo)[2] and Chubu Electric Power (headquartered in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture).[3] It is the first Japanese company to join the Action Coalition.

The Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition was established by a group of offshore wind power companies, including Ørsted and Equinor, to promote the sustainable deployment of ocean-based renewable energies such as offshore wind, floating solar, tidal and wave power. Ørsted is a utility company based in Fredericia, Denmark.[4] Equinor is an energy company headquartered in Stavanger, Norway[5].

The Action Coalition will develop a 2050 vision, which will include action plans for stakeholders from industry, the financial sector, and the government to sustainably scale up the deployment of offshore wind, and to contribute to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Decarbonization goals. The Action Coalition plans to announce a status update for the initiative at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon in June 2020.[6]

JERA has stated that it hopes to be a global leader in renewable energy, through commitments such as promoting large-scale offshore wind energy projects in Japan and abroad, and by contributing to the sustainable development of offshore wind energy through participation in the Coalition.

[1] https://www.jera.co.jp/english/corporate/

[2] https://www7.tepco.co.jp/fp/about/index-e.html

[3] https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/ecor_company/ecom_outline/index.html

[4] https://orsted.com/en/About-us

[5] https://www.equinor.com/en/about-us.html

[6] https://www.jera.co.jp/information/20200114_450 

［USA］Dominion Energy announces 2050 net-zero emissions commitment

Dominion Energy announced its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions in its power generation and natural gas operations by 2050 on February 11, 2020.[1] Dominion has previously committed to cut methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 50% between 2010 and 2030 and carbon emissions from its power generating facilities by 80% between 2005 and 2050. So far, Dominion has cut carbon emissions approximately 50% since 2005 and reduced methane emissions by nearly 25% since 2010.

Under the new net zero goal, Dominion will decrease methane emissions by 65% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, from 2010 levels. To achieve these reductions, Dominion will extend licenses for its nuclear generation fleet, promote customer energy efficiency programs, and invest in wind and solar power. Additionally, Dominion plans to invest in carbon-beneficial renewable natural gas (RNG) projects that will capture an amount of methane from U.S. farms at least equivalent to any remaining methane and carbon dioxide emissions from the company's natural gas operations. The utility did acknowledge that achieving this goal will also require supportive policies and technology advancements.

[1] https://news.dominionenergy.com/2020-02-11-Dominion-Energy-Sets-New-Goal-of-Net-Zero-Emissions-by-2050

［USA］ NorthWestern Energy to acquire 25% share of Colstrip; plans to reduce carbon by 90%

NorthWestern Energy, a utility company based in Sioux Falls, SD, announced on December 10, 2019 that it plans to purchase Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) 25% share of Montana's coal-fired Colstrip Unit 4 for just $1.[1] If the plan is approved by the Montana Public Service Commission and Washington Utilities Transportation Commission, NorthWestern would procure 185 MW of generation from Colstrip Unit 4 which would bring its totally share of the unit to 55%. According to NorthWestern, the purchase, although contrary to its carbon-reduction goals, will help the utility to meet a winter peak capacity deficit and preserve reliability for its customers. Currently, NorthWestern’s energy portfolio for Montana is 60% carbon-free. The utility will set aside the benefits from the transaction to address the environmental costs associated with its existing ownership when the time comes to retire Unit 4. For PSE, the sale of its share of the Colstrip unit will help the utility reduce its coal fleet by 50% and give them a lead on meeting Washington state’s requirement for electric utilities to eliminate coal-fired generation from their portfolios in the next five years.[2],[3]  

[1] http://www3.northwesternenergy.com/our-company/media-center/current/news-article/2019/12/10/NorthWestern-Energy-to-acquire-25-share-of-Colstrip-Unit-4-from-Puget-Sound-Energy

[2] https://www.pse.com/press-release/details/pse-moves-closer-to-coal-free-electricity-years-ahead-of-schedule?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=TWITTER&utm_campaign=Engagement

[3] https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/energy/Pages/CETAoverview.aspx

[Japan] Chubu Electric Power Has Partnered with Novars, a Dry-Cell Battery Manufacturer, to Develop New Senior Monitoring Services

Chubu Electric Power (Chuden), headquartered in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture[1], and Novars[2], a Tokyo-based wireless dry cell battery manufacturer, announced on October 25, 2019 that they have reached an agreement to jointly develop new monitoring services for senior citizens in order to respond to the increasing demand for senior care. Novars develops and commercializes a dry-cell battery integrated with a communication module called “MaBeee[3]”. The device is designed to provide remote monitoring services for seniors and children via a connected network. The two companies aim to ultimately improve users’ safety and security through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).

 Chubu Electric Power Group Management Vision wants Chuden to “provide innovative services for new communities” through AI and IoT, as well as other advanced technologies, in addition to strengthening its core energy business operations. Subsequently, it has recently established a distinct business segment in April 2019 that emphasizes providing and managing new community services.

 Additionally, Chuden has agreed to invest in Novars by providing some capital through a third-party allotment. Chuden’s investment will be contributed from the Chubu Electric Power Community Support Fund, which supports venture capital funds and startups with advanced technologies or innovative business models related to monitoring services. The fund, a corporate venture capital fund, was established in April 2019 as an internal fund for Chuden[4].

[1] https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/ecor_company/ecom_outline/index.html

[2] http://novars.jp/

[3] http://novars.main.jp/new_WP/company

[4] https://www.chuden.co.jp/corporate/publicity/pub_release/press/3272005_21432.html

［Japan］ Tokyo Electric Power Holdings Created a Separate Company for Renewable Energy Generation: TEPCO Renewable Power

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO HD, headquartered in Tokyo) announced on August 7, 2019, that it had decided to create a separate company devoted to renewable energy generation activities by April 1, 2020.[1] On October 1, 2019, TEPCO HD officially established TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc.[2], headquartered in Tokyo. TEPCO HD launched TEPCO Renewable Power, which will specialize in developing and operating renewable energy sources, as part of TEPCO HD’s strategy to achieve its goal of generating a total of six to seven GW of renewable energy in Japan and overseas.[3]

 TEPCO Renewable Power will be responsible for coordinating with Japanese and international partners to develop energy sources. By establishing this new company, TEPCO HD intends to clarify its duties and capabilities in renewable energy generation. Accordingly, TEPCO Renewable Power is expected to be able to make efficient decisions on large-scale investments and flexible financing for renewable energy projects.[4]

[1] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/1518330_8709.html

[2] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/pdf4/191001j0202.pdf

[3] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/1516232_8709.html

[4] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/1516232_8709.html

[Japan] Chugoku Electric Power Revised Its Electricity Rates

Chugoku Electric Power Company (Chugoku EPCo), headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, announced on August 28, 2019, that it will revise the electricity rates for seven of its electricity plans, starting from April 1, 2020. Revisions are planned for the “Time-of-Use Plan,” “Family Time Plan,” “Peak Shift Plan” and “Midnight Power Plan,” among others.

 Since 1966, Chugoku EPCo has set its nighttime electricity rates at affordable prices to encourage nighttime electricity consumption. However, in recent years, Chugoku EPCo has seen a change in customers’ electricity usage patterns, leading to increasing nighttime electricity demands along with reduced daytime demand. The change reflects the expansion of solar power generation and the progress of energy efficiency. As a result, it has become more costly to generate electricity for nighttime use. In response, Chugoku EPCo will raise the nighttime electricity rate by 2.99 yen per 1kWh, while lowering the daytime rate[1].

[1] http://www.energia.co.jp/press/2019/12018.html

[Japan] Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings and Chubu Electric Power Will Jointly Establish a Next-generation Mobility Company

On August 27, 2019, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO HD) and Chubu Electric Power reached an agreement to jointly establish e-Mobility Power co., Inc., a next-generation mobility company. e-Mobility Power is expected to be officially launched on October 1, 2019. The total investment in e-Mobility Power is about 5 billion yen, 60% of the capital from TEPCO HD and 40% from Chubu Electric Power.

 e-Mobility Power will leverage TEPCO HD and Chubu Electric Power’s knowledge and expertise in the construction, maintenance, and operation of energy infrastructure, as well as their expertise regarding quick charging methods for electric vehicles (EV), such as the CHAdeMO[1] charging method, which was developed in collaboration with automakers. The company aims to deliver services for consumers so that “anyone can charge [their] EV at a reasonable price, anytime, anywhere”.[2]

[1] https://www.chademo.com/about-us/what-is-chademo/

[2] http://www.chuden.co.jp/corporate/publicity/pub_release/press/3271660_21432.html

[Japan] Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, Chubu Electric Power, Hitachi and Toshiba Agree to Develop Boiling Water Reactors

On August 28, 2019, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO HD), Chubu Electric Power, Hitachi and Toshiba Corporation signed a basic agreement to explore a potential collaboration to develop a business framework for nuclear energy business for boiling water reactors (BWR).

 The four companies hope to improve the safety and economic viability of BWR nuclear power plants. They have exchanged opinions and information on nuclear power plant operations and maintenance, and on improving their manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

 The companies seek to strengthen cooperation on developing safe and affordable BWR operations, and to bolster their capabilities to construct and operate nuclear power plants. Through this collaboration, TEPCO HD and Chubu Electric Power will share their knowledge about nuclear power plant operations and maintenance, and Hitachi and Toshiba will provide their knowledge and experience in manufacturing and engineering processes. [1],[2]

[1] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/1516677_8709.html

[2] http://www.tepco.co.jp/press/release/2019/pdf3/190828j0101.pdf