Denmark has ran the world's forefront in the green energy field. The main axis is wind power generation. In addition to the spread of land and wind power, the world's first commercial offering wind power plant was built in 1991.
In 2020, more than 46 % of domestic power consumption was covered by wind power.
How did Denmark become a developed country of clean energy? And how will the Japanese wind power generation industry develop in the future? Izumi Tanaka and members of Relatech, a commercial officer (in charge of the environment and energy) of the Denmark Embassy (in charge of the environment and energy), talked at the Denmark Embassy in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Denmark that makes use of revenge technology not only in Japan but also outside the country
――What kind of work is Tanaka doing as a commercial officer of the Danish Embassy?
TanakaThrough exchange with Japan, I work to promote Denmark's economic development. For example, we help Denmark companies into Japan and help Denmark companies that have already entered Japan to expand their business. In addition, we may have policy dialogue on the economic cooperation between Japan and Denmark. The commercial officers have their own fields, but my charge is the energy and environmental field. One of the most important tasks is to introduce Denmark's regenerative energy technology that has not yet become popular in Japan. Introducing Denmark examples to Japanese businesses who are interested in environment and renewable energy can lead to a foothold for Denmark companies to enter.
HaseIn March of this year (2022), the "Energy Cooperation Memorandum between Japan and Denmark" was concluded.
Tanakayes. It was concluded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan and by the Denmark Kingdom Energy Utility and the Ministry of Climate. From now on, Denmark will strengthen his cooperation with Japan more than ever. In particular, we will share the knowledge and skills of offshore wind power generation, and support the development of Japanese wind power generation and the construction of an energy system that enables large amounts of renewable energy.
In fact, Denmark has signed such a memorandum in Japan in 19 countries. Denmark is a country with a population of about 5.9 million, so there is not much emissions of carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is not possible to have a positive effect on the global environment even if you work on reducing global warming gas in your own country alone. Denmark wants to contribute to the reduction of global warming gas by having a cooperation with other countries and sharing the technology and experience that has been cultivated in Japan so far.
――How are you looking at the Japanese energy industry today?
TanakaI think that people's consciousness has changed significantly when the Japanese government announced the "2050 Carbon Nuvery Declaration" in October 2020. This has become a full -fledged initiative for carbonization. I feel that various companies are working seriously and the population of people who are interested in energy has increased significantly. I've been involved in this field for a long time, so the current situation is pleased.
HaseMany companies that have not been involved so far about wind and energy have entered, and the players have expanded. From the standpoint of this industry for a long time, I thought that the wind industry was relatively exciting before the declaration. However, looking at the excitement after the declaration, I realized that it was still there.
TanakaThe number of members of the Japan Wind Power Association has increased significantly to about 500 after declaration.
SeeingDenmark published the "2050 Energy Strategy" in 2011, indicating that it would completely break out of fossil fuels by 2050. How did Denmark after the declaration change? In considering Japan in the future, I would like to ask about Denmark examples.
TanakaIn the case of Denmark, before the "2050 Energy Strategy" was issued, he served as the chairman in the 2009 COP19 (15th Changche Change Convention Conference) and set a high goal. So I don't think there was much impact as in Japan. However, I heard that companies have said that the country has made a long -term goal of 2050 and can invest in global warming with confidence. In Japan, the declaration of the goal up to 2050 will make it possible to invest in global warming measures and enter the industry.
Danish marine space plan
sourceDanmarks Havplan
――What are the current Japanese issues compared to Denmark?
TanakaRegarding offshore wind power, I think that zoning (*) is not the national body, but local governments. It is not bad for local governments to lead, but the size of the project will inevitably decrease compared to other countries.
* Zoning
Comprehensively evaluates the environmental aspects such as legal regulations and ecosystem, the social aspects such as regional understanding, the construction environment, etc. comprehensively, and divide into areas where environmental conservation should be prioritized, and areas where wind generation can be introduced. thing.
HaseThe size of the power plant planned off Yuri Honso City in Akita Prefecture is 780 MW, but there are many small power plants of 300 or 400. On the other hand, if you look at other countries, there are 1000mW power plants.
TanakaDenmark has decided to introduce at least two GW power plants in at least three locations between 2018 and 2020, under the government's energy agreement. It is based on government -oriented marine space planning. I think Japan will consider how to manage intensive management, but at present, I think this is one of the issues. In Denmark, the voices of local people in the candidate for power plants are inhaled early and incorporated into the ocean space plan. In addition, the government is led by the government to define the suitable land.
Denmark's regional thermal supply system that does not waste surplus power
―― In 2020, Denmark's power generation, which added wind power and solar power, exceeded 50 % of the overall power consumption. What is the reason why the power generation fluctuates with a large amount of power generated?
TanakaOne of the major reasons is that, instead of trying to balance only with electricity, a system that comprehensively operates with other energy media, such as heat, gas, and gasoline. For example, in terms of heat, Denmark uses a regional thermal supply system that carries hot water for hot water and heating with an insulation pipe. This is a system that can be used for housing heating and hot water, using the heat from factories and waste, and the heat of garbage incinerators, etc., and supplies heat to the necessary places when necessary. If the surplus power generated by wind power is changed to hot water, it can be used as an energy without waste.
SeeingAlthough it is surplus power, wind power generation may be more powerful due to time and wind strength than supply. What to do with the fluctuation. There seems to be a method of exporting electricity to neighboring countries, but in areas where wind power generation is thriving like Europe, the timing of surplus power generation overlaps. For example, if the wind is blowing in Denmark, the wind is blowing even in the north of Germany, so I think that it is difficult to export.
TanakaThe biggest challenge of wind power and solar power is that the output cannot be adjusted. You can save surplus power in the battery, but the regional thermal supply system can replace the battery. The cost can be considerably reduced by making hot water using electricity and accumulating it in a large insulation tank or a pond -like thermal storage. By supplying the hot water as a regional heat when needed, this system plays the role of batteries. Regarding regional thermal supply, Denmark has been working on it since 1903, but it is also an effective system as a regenerative energy valve that has many fluctuations such as wind power and solar power.
HaseCertainly, if the mechanism that comprehensively captures energy systems can be widespread in Japan, it will be easier to introduce renewable energy.
(Continued to the second part)
* The three -way talk is a sufficient distance. The mask is removed only when shooting.
(Configuration / Izumi Kankake Izumi / Hisae Sasaki)