Research and Development for Total Cost Reduction of Heat Utilization as Renewable Energy

This project will promote research and development that contributes to the reduction of total costs to expand the use of renewable energy heat. Since a wide variety of players are involved in the introduction of systems to utilize renewable energy heat, NEDO will promote research and development with a view to application to ZEB (Net Zero Energy Building) and other buildings in a consortium structure as a group of players from upstream to downstream. In addition, NEDO will compile an action plan that outlines a roadmap and concrete measures (dissemination measures) to achieve a total cost reduction of 20% or more (payback period of 14 years or less) by 2023 and a total cost reduction of 30% or more (payback period of 8 years or less) by 2030. Besides, NEDO will develop technologies for estimating and evaluating an apparent rate of thermal conductivity, which are necessary for optimizing system design to contribute to the expansion of geothermal utilization systems, simple TRT (thermal response test) technologies, and design tools as fundamental technologies in common with the aim of standardizing them.

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  Image of project implementation system (geothermal)

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  The road to 2030

(1) Development of Low-cost Technology for Geothermal Utilization Systems

NEDO will develop such technologies as will contribute to reduction of the total cost of geothermal utilization systems by working on (1) the development of high-efficiency equipment that is suitable for use in Japan with the assumption that such equipment will be installed in both large-scale and small-scale buildings, (2) the development of construction technologies that will benefit from shorter construction periods, (3) the development of technologies to optimize geothermal utilization systems, (4) the development of advanced evaluation and quantification technologies, and other efforts.

(2) Development of Advanced Technology for Solar Thermal Utilization Systems

NEDO will engage in (1) the development of high-efficiency equipment, (2) the development of solar heat utilization equipment that contributes to the maximum utilization of solar energy throughout the year, (3) the development of advanced evaluation and quantification technologies, and (4) the development of technologies to optimize systems that combine various heat sources, including renewable energy heat, thereby contributing to the reduction of total costs for solar heat and other utilization systems.

(3) Development of Fundamental Technologies in Common for Upgrading and Cost Reduction

NEDO will develop technologies for estimating and evaluating an apparent rate of thermal conductivity, which is necessary for optimizing system design to contribute to the expansion of geothermal utilization systems, simple TRT (thermal response test) technologies, and design tools as fundamental technologies in common with the aim of standardizing them.

MASAMI Otake, Project Coordinator

Outcome Target

By promoting mass production through market expansion, competition among companies, and further technological improvement through the dissemination of equipment, applications, construction technologies, and fundamental technologies in common, which has been developed in this project, NEDO aims to achieve a total cost reduction of 30% or more (payback period of 8 years or less) by 2030 and expand the introduction of renewable energy heat utilization.

Output Target

This project sets the ultimate outcome goal to reduce the total cost of geothermal, solar thermal, and other renewable energy heat systems by 30% or more by 2030 (payback period of 8 years or less). NEDO will optimize the division of roles among business entities through a consortium structure that brings together businesses and other entities involved in the introduction of renewable energy heat from upstream to downstream. Also, NEDO will promote the technological development of each factor (design, equipment, construction and such) under the appropriate process control indexes. Furthermore, specific measures necessary to achieve total cost reduction are to be identified for each factor and summarized as an action plan. In addition, NEDO will develop technologies for estimating and evaluating an apparent rate of thermal conductivity, which are necessary for optimizing system design to contribute to the expansion of geothermal utilization systems, simple TRT (thermal response test) technologies, and design tools as fundamental technologies in common with the aim of standardizing them.

Project Process Control Chart