Denmark has been at the forefront of green energy, with wind power at its core. In addition to the widespread use of onshore wind power, the country built the world's first commercial offshore wind farm in 1991.
As of 2020, more than 46% of the country's total electricity consumption was generated by wind power.
How did Denmark become a leader in clean energy? And how will Japan's wind power industry develop in the future? Izumi Tanaka, Commercial Attaché (Environment and Energy) at the Danish Embassy, and members of Rera Tech Inc. discussed the topic at the Danish Embassy in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Denmark utilizes renewable energy technology not only at home but also abroad
-What kind of work do you do as a commercial attaché at the Danish Embassy?
Tanaka I work to promote economic development in Denmark through exchanges with Japan. For example, I help Danish companies enter the Japanese market and assist Danish companies already in Japan in expanding their business. I also hold policy dialogues on economic cooperation between Japan and Denmark. Each commercial officer has his or her own area of responsibility, but my area of responsibility is energy and the environment. One of my important jobs is to introduce Danish renewable energy technology, which is not yet widespread in Japan. By introducing the Danish case to Japanese businesses that are interested in the environment and renewable energy, I can also create a foothold for Danish companies to enter the market.
Konagaya In March of this year (2022), a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between Japan and Denmark was signed.
Tanaka Yes. The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark will strengthen its cooperative relationship with Japan even more than before. In particular, we will share knowledge and technology on offshore wind power generation, and support the development of wind power generation in Japan and the construction of an energy system that enables the large-scale introduction of renewable energy.
In fact, Denmark is the 19th country with which Japan has signed such a memorandum. Denmark is a country with a population of about 590 million people, so it does not emit much carbon dioxide. Therefore, even if Denmark works on reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone, it will not have a positive impact on the global environment. Denmark wants to contribute to reducing greenhouse gases by forming cooperative relationships with other countries and sharing the technology and experience it has cultivated domestically.
――What do you think of Japan's current energy industry?
Tanaka I think people's awareness has changed significantly since the Japanese government announced the "2020 Carbon Neutral Declaration" in October 10. This has led to full-scale efforts toward decarbonization. Various companies have begun to take this seriously, and I feel that the number of people interested in energy has increased significantly. Having been involved in this field for a long time, I am very pleased with the current situation.
Konagaya Many companies that had not been involved much in wind power or energy before have entered the industry, and the range of players has expanded. As someone who has been involved in this industry for a long time, I thought the wind power industry was pretty lively even before the declaration. However, seeing the excitement after the declaration made me realize that there was still a long way to go.
Tanaka The number of members of the Japan Wind Power Association has also increased significantly since the declaration, to about 500 companies.
Misaki Denmark published its 2011 Energy Strategy in 2050, indicating that it would completely move away from fossil fuels by 2050. How has Denmark changed since the announcement? I would like to ask about the Danish example as I consider the future of Japan.
Tanaka In the case of Denmark, even before the "2050 Energy Strategy" was released, the country chaired COP2009 (the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 15 and set high goals. Therefore, I don't think it had as big an impact as Japan. However, I heard from companies that by the country setting a long-term goal of 2050, they were able to invest in global warming countermeasures with peace of mind. I think that the declaration of goals up to 2050 in Japan will also provide an opportunity for other companies to invest in global warming countermeasures and enter the industry in a similar way.
Danish Maritime Spatial Planning
--What are the current challenges facing Japan compared to Denmark?
Tanaka One of the biggest factors in the decision-making process for offshore wind power is that zoning (*) is not done by the national government, but by local governments. There is nothing wrong with local governments taking the lead, but compared to other countries, the scale of projects is inevitably smaller.
*Zoning
The areas will be divided into areas where environmental conservation should be prioritized, areas where wind power generation can be introduced, etc., based on a comprehensive assessment of environmental aspects such as legal regulations and ecosystems, social aspects such as local understanding, and business feasibility such as the construction environment.
Konagaya The power plant planned for offshore Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture will have a capacity of 780MW, but most of the plants are small, at around 300 or 400MW. Meanwhile, in other countries, there are also 1000MW power plants.
Tanaka In Denmark, the government's energy agreement has decided to introduce 2018GW power plants in at least three locations between 2020 and 3. This is based on a government-led marine spatial plan. I think Japan will also consider ways to centralize management in the future, but for now, I think this is one of the challenges. In Denmark, the voices of local people about potential power plants are collected at an early stage and incorporated into the marine spatial plan. The government then takes the lead in defining suitable locations.
Denmark's district heating system makes the most of surplus electricity
--In 2020, Denmark's electricity generation from wind and solar power combined exceeded 50% of its total electricity consumption. What is the reason for this increase in share, given that this is an energy source with large fluctuations in power generation?
Tanaka A major reason for this is that, rather than trying to achieve a balance with electricity alone, they have a system in which they operate comprehensively in conjunction with other energy media such as heat, gas, and gasoline. For example, when it comes to heat, Denmark uses a district heating system that transports hot water for hot water and heating through insulated pipes. This system utilizes exhaust heat from factories and waste, heat from garbage incinerators, and other sources to supply heat when and where it is needed, so that it can be used for residential heating and hot water. Surplus electricity generated by wind power generation can also be used as energy without waste if it is converted into hot water.
Misaki As for surplus electricity, there are times when wind power generates more electricity than it supplies, depending on the time of day and the strength of the wind. What should we do about that fluctuation? One option would be to export electricity to neighboring countries, but in areas where wind power is thriving, such as Europe, there are many times when surplus electricity is generated. For example, when the wind is blowing in Denmark, it is also blowing in the north of Germany, so I think it may be difficult to export electricity.
Tanaka The biggest problem with wind and solar power generation is that the output cannot be adjusted. Surplus electricity can be stored in batteries, but district heating systems can take the place of batteries. Costs can be significantly reduced by using electricity to produce hot water and storing it in thermal storage such as large insulated tanks or ponds. In a sense, this system acts as a battery by supplying that hot water as district heat when needed. District heating has been around in Denmark since 1903, and it is also an effective system to regulate fluctuating renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power generation.
Konagaya Certainly, if a system that comprehensively captures the energy system could become widespread in Japan, it would make it easier to further advance the introduction of renewable energy.
*The discussion took place while maintaining a sufficient distance. Masks were removed only when photographing.
(Written by Izumi Kanchiku, edited by Hisae Sasaki)