Escape 24 biomass power plant with integrated drying-effective utilization of waste heat
The new future of energy, realized by heat utilization
Transcript of The new future of energy, realized by heat utilization
Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
The new future of energy, realized by heat utilization
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
※Renewable Portfolio Standard
Since the Great East Japan earthquake, Japanese energy policies are
in need of a major transition. Therefore, expectations for renewable
energy, which is non-CO₂ emitting and domestically produceable,
are dramatically rising.
The ratio of renewable energy resources of primary energy supply
has been globally expanding. The EU set a goal to increase their
ratio of renewable energy to at least 27% by 2030, based on a
directive issued in 2018. In the United States, the RPS* is accelerat-
ing the introduction of renewable energy. As of 2018, solar heat is
approved in 14 states, and geothermal heat is approved in 12 states
as renewable energy. Also, China announced in their 13th Five-Year
Plan that they will expand the solar heat collection area to 800
million sq. m. and establish a support system for ground source heat
utilization. Countries around the world are formulating mid-to-long
term strategies for a carbon neutral society, with increasing utiliza-
tion of geothermal heat (ground source) and solar heat.
According to the energy supply and demand structure in Japan,
although energy consumption is mainly non-electric heat, the ratio
of direct heat usage is small. The 5th Strategic Energy Plan decided
by the cabinet in 2018 also calls for a more efficient heat utilization
to increase the energy utilization efficiency. By working on cutting
costs, renewable heat is anticipated to play an important role as a
financially well-balanced decentralized energy system. Well
regulated use of renewable heat is essential for a diversified efficient
energy supply and demand structure. However, utilization of renew-
able heat is still uncommon. This is because renewable heat is not
widely known yet, implementation costs are high, not enough
people can operate the business, and the business is not profitable
due to low demand. It is important to not only solve these problems,
but also take advantage of regional characteristics and work on heat
utilization for the dissemination of renewable heat. Therefore,
NEDO develops renewable heat utilization technology and attempts
to spread the use of renewable heat in various ways.
Renewable Heat Utilization Around the World Diversifying the Energy Supply and Demand Structure by Effectively Utilizing Renewable Heat
Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
The new future of energy, realized by heat utilization.
CONTENTS
1995
14,617 23,275
87,503
200,149
325,028
600,000600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
02000 2005 2010 2015
Am
oun
t o
f en
erg
y (T
j / y
)
2020
Source: Totaled by Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan based on Lund et. al. (2020)
To a Carbon Neutral Society
That Effectively Utilizes Renewable Heat
02
NEDO Project To Open Up Renewable Heat
04
SPECIAL TALK
06
The Future of Energy Realized
by Ground Source Heat Pump SystemHokkaido UniversityProfessor, Director of International Exchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
NEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentHeat Utilization Group Project Manager
Nagano Katsunori Ph.D. Taniguchi Satoko
Utilization of Non-Utilized Heat Activated by the Use of Renewable Heat
REPORT -From NEDO Energy Conservation Technology Department -
18
Development Projects
NEDO PROJECT
10
12
Operator Interview
R&D Story to Practical Use
1. Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd. Katsuragi Masahiko, Yamaya Mutsumi2. YBM Co., Ltd. Okubo Hiroaki, Matsuo Hideyuki3. Moriya Corporation Nakamura Mitsuaki 4. OYO Corporation Takeshima Junya 5. Geo-Research Institute Kitada Naoko6. Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co. Ishikami Takashi
“I Support the Dissemination of the Outcome”
MESSAGE
19
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of JapanChief Director Sasada Masakatsu
Subsidy System
Source: Created by NEDO based on the FY2020 Annual Report on Energy by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Energy consumption by use (2018)
Heater25%
Air-conditioner3%
Power,lights, etc.
34%Hot water
29%Kitchen9%
Heater16%
Others4%
Air-conditioner13%
Power,lights, etc.
43% Hot water16%Kitchen
8%
Heat demand Heat demand57% 45%
Energy source (2018)
3%Renewable heat Renewable
heat 0.6%
Electricity54%
Gas19%
Petroleum24%
Coal or others0.3%
Town gas22%
LPG10%
Coal or others0.003%
Kerosene16%
Electricity51%
While the heat demand is high, the ratio of renewable heat utilization is low.
As energy transduction is being required worldwide, interest in renewable heat, an alternative
of fossil fuel that leads to the decrease of fossil fuel consumption, has been growing.
NEDO promotes the development of an energy technology that realizes a carbon neutral soci-
ety through research and development of renewable heat.
500
400
300
200
100
0
Source: Created by NEDO based on REN21 “Global Status Report 2020”
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20192018
With permeable bodyWithout permeable body
203242
285
330
374409
435456
472 482 479
Inst
alle
d c
apac
ity (G
Wth
)
02 03Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
※Renewable Portfolio Standard
Since the Great East Japan earthquake, Japanese energy policies are
in need of a major transition. Therefore, expectations for renewable
energy, which is non-CO₂ emitting and domestically produceable,
are dramatically rising.
The ratio of renewable energy resources of primary energy supply
has been globally expanding. The EU set a goal to increase their
ratio of renewable energy to at least 27% by 2030, based on a
directive issued in 2018. In the United States, the RPS* is accelerat-
ing the introduction of renewable energy. As of 2018, solar heat is
approved in 14 states, and geothermal heat is approved in 12 states
as renewable energy. Also, China announced in their 13th Five-Year
Plan that they will expand the solar heat collection area to 800
million sq. m. and establish a support system for ground source heat
utilization. Countries around the world are formulating mid-to-long
term strategies for a carbon neutral society, with increasing utiliza-
tion of geothermal heat (ground source) and solar heat.
According to the energy supply and demand structure in Japan,
although energy consumption is mainly non-electric heat, the ratio
of direct heat usage is small. The 5th Strategic Energy Plan decided
by the cabinet in 2018 also calls for a more efficient heat utilization
to increase the energy utilization efficiency. By working on cutting
costs, renewable heat is anticipated to play an important role as a
financially well-balanced decentralized energy system. Well
regulated use of renewable heat is essential for a diversified efficient
energy supply and demand structure. However, utilization of renew-
able heat is still uncommon. This is because renewable heat is not
widely known yet, implementation costs are high, not enough
people can operate the business, and the business is not profitable
due to low demand. It is important to not only solve these problems,
but also take advantage of regional characteristics and work on heat
utilization for the dissemination of renewable heat. Therefore,
NEDO develops renewable heat utilization technology and attempts
to spread the use of renewable heat in various ways.
Renewable Heat Utilization Around the World Diversifying the Energy Supply and Demand Structure by Effectively Utilizing Renewable Heat
Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
The new future of energy, realized by heat utilization.
CONTENTS
1995
14,617 23,275
87,503
200,149
325,028
600,000600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
02000 2005 2010 2015
Am
oun
t o
f en
erg
y (T
j / y
)
2020
Source: Totaled by Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan based on Lund et. al. (2020)
To a Carbon Neutral Society
That Effectively Utilizes Renewable Heat
02
NEDO Project To Open Up Renewable Heat
04
SPECIAL TALK
06
The Future of Energy Realized
by Ground Source Heat Pump SystemHokkaido UniversityProfessor, Director of International Exchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
NEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentHeat Utilization Group Project Manager
Nagano Katsunori Ph.D. Taniguchi Satoko
Utilization of Non-Utilized Heat Activated by the Use of Renewable Heat
REPORT -From NEDO Energy Conservation Technology Department -
18
Development Projects
NEDO PROJECT
10
12
Operator Interview
R&D Story to Practical Use
1. Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd. Katsuragi Masahiko, Yamaya Mutsumi2. YBM Co., Ltd. Okubo Hiroaki, Matsuo Hideyuki3. Moriya Corporation Nakamura Mitsuaki 4. OYO Corporation Takeshima Junya 5. Geo-Research Institute Kitada Naoko6. Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co. Ishikami Takashi
“I Support the Dissemination of the Outcome”
MESSAGE
19
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of JapanChief Director Sasada Masakatsu
Subsidy System
Source: Created by NEDO based on the FY2020 Annual Report on Energy by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Energy consumption by use (2018)
Heater25%
Air-conditioner3%
Power,lights, etc.
34%Hot water
29%Kitchen9%
Heater16%
Others4%
Air-conditioner13%
Power,lights, etc.
43% Hot water16%Kitchen
8%
Heat demand Heat demand57% 45%
Energy source (2018)
3%Renewable heat Renewable
heat 0.6%
Electricity54%
Gas19%
Petroleum24%
Coal or others0.3%
Town gas22%
LPG10%
Coal or others0.003%
Kerosene16%
Electricity51%
While the heat demand is high, the ratio of renewable heat utilization is low.
As energy transduction is being required worldwide, interest in renewable heat, an alternative
of fossil fuel that leads to the decrease of fossil fuel consumption, has been growing.
NEDO promotes the development of an energy technology that realizes a carbon neutral soci-
ety through research and development of renewable heat.
500
400
300
200
100
0
Source: Created by NEDO based on REN21 “Global Status Report 2020”
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20192018
With permeable bodyWithout permeable body
203242
285
330
374409
435456
472 482 479
Inst
alle
d c
apac
ity (G
Wth
)
02 03Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
NEDO began its project to expand the use of renewable heat in
2011. The project “Research project of calorimetric measurement
technique of renewable energy” in 2011-2013 established a method
to measure heat utilization of ground source, solar, and snow and ice
heat used as evidence for green certificates.
In 2014, Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as
Renewable Energy, the first project exclusively for renewable heat,
started. This project that lasted until 2018 achieved the goal of
cutting the entire cost by 20% by developing the technology behind
cutting installation costs, increasing system efficiency, especially
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system and creating a potential
map for GSHP.
The current focus is on further cost-cutting to disseminate indepen-
dent use of renewable heat, establishing implementation technolo-
gies, as well as improving market environment, such as competition
among companies, investment to technology development led by
private enterprises, and realization of mass production.
Furthermore, Research and Development for Total Cost Reduction
of Heat Utilization as Renewable Energy has been begun since
2019. Among the research and development targets, “Cost Reduc-
tion Technology Development for GSHP System” develops excava-
tors, ground heat exchangers, and heat pumps, controls a system that
aims for the application to ZEB* and so on, and improves evaluation
and quantification technologies, while “Technology Development
for the Advancement of Solar Heat Utilization System” develops
and validates optimization technology to manage various systems
using renewable heat, centralized in solar heat and hot spring heat.
In 2020, a new research topic “Development of a Common Funda-
mental Technology for Advancement and Cost Reduction” was
added. This research topic develops necessary technologies for the
optimization of underground heat utilization system design as a
common fundamental technology, in particular, assumption and
evaluation of apparent thermal conduction rate, Thermal Response
Test, and design tools.
Moreover, renewable heat requires technology from various types
of industries. Aiming to reduce the total cost by at least 30%
(payback period less than eight years), a consortium of companies
related to system installation from upstream to downstream was
formed, and NEDO is developing technology to optimize role-shar-
ing between companies.
NEDO works toward the realization of a carbon neutral society by
efficiently utilizing and disseminating renewable energy, such as
geothermal heat (ground source) and solar heat that exist in nature.
Renewable heat is a heat source that can be permanently used, for
instance, geothermal heat, solar heat, biomass heat, hot spring heat,
water-related heat (river water heat, sea water heat, sewage heat),
and aerothermal heat.
Aiming for a 30% reduction of total cost for further dissemination and marketing
※Abbreviation of Net Zero Energy Building
NEDO Project To Open Up Renewable HeatDevelopment of renewable heat technology by NEDO that will change
the future of Japanese energy policies
Renewable heat
■ The 3rd Strategic Energy Plan (2010) Geothermal heat (ground source) appears for the first time
■ The 4th Strategic Energy Plan (2014) Defined renewable heat for the first time The importance of renewable heat was written Improving heat efficiency leads to energy utilization efficiency, therefore it is necessary to enhance measures for that.
■ The 5th Strategic Energy Plan (2018)
2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 20232014 2019
Used to cool agricultural products and rooms by saving snowfall during the winter and ice created by cold air as cold source until next summer.
Used for heaters and hot water supply by directly burning biomass fuel, such as woody chips that are organic substances originated from animals and plants and sewage sludge.
Heat utilization
Power generation
Boiler
Biomass
Used for air-conditioners by exchang-ing heat at 10-200m depth which is constant at all times with outside air and heat medium.
Used for hot water supply and heaters by collecting solar energy that generates heat energy to raise water and air temperature.
In order to contribute to the resolution of social issues, NEDO formulates technolo-
gy strategies and project plans and, as part of its project management, establishes
project implementation frameworks by combining the capabilities of industry,
academia, and government. NEDO also promotes technology development by
carrying out, evaluating, and allocating funding to promising projects to accelerate
the practical
appl icat ion
of project
results.
Positioning of NEDO as an Innovation Accelerator
Evidence forpolicy makingEvidence forpolicy making
https://www.nedo.go.jp/
Framework developmentand operationFramework developmentand operation
Assessment,allocation of fundingAssessment,allocation of funding
04 05Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
NEDO began its project to expand the use of renewable heat in
2011. The project “Research project of calorimetric measurement
technique of renewable energy” in 2011-2013 established a method
to measure heat utilization of ground source, solar, and snow and ice
heat used as evidence for green certificates.
In 2014, Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as
Renewable Energy, the first project exclusively for renewable heat,
started. This project that lasted until 2018 achieved the goal of
cutting the entire cost by 20% by developing the technology behind
cutting installation costs, increasing system efficiency, especially
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system and creating a potential
map for GSHP.
The current focus is on further cost-cutting to disseminate indepen-
dent use of renewable heat, establishing implementation technolo-
gies, as well as improving market environment, such as competition
among companies, investment to technology development led by
private enterprises, and realization of mass production.
Furthermore, Research and Development for Total Cost Reduction
of Heat Utilization as Renewable Energy has been begun since
2019. Among the research and development targets, “Cost Reduc-
tion Technology Development for GSHP System” develops excava-
tors, ground heat exchangers, and heat pumps, controls a system that
aims for the application to ZEB* and so on, and improves evaluation
and quantification technologies, while “Technology Development
for the Advancement of Solar Heat Utilization System” develops
and validates optimization technology to manage various systems
using renewable heat, centralized in solar heat and hot spring heat.
In 2020, a new research topic “Development of a Common Funda-
mental Technology for Advancement and Cost Reduction” was
added. This research topic develops necessary technologies for the
optimization of underground heat utilization system design as a
common fundamental technology, in particular, assumption and
evaluation of apparent thermal conduction rate, Thermal Response
Test, and design tools.
Moreover, renewable heat requires technology from various types
of industries. Aiming to reduce the total cost by at least 30%
(payback period less than eight years), a consortium of companies
related to system installation from upstream to downstream was
formed, and NEDO is developing technology to optimize role-shar-
ing between companies.
NEDO works toward the realization of a carbon neutral society by
efficiently utilizing and disseminating renewable energy, such as
geothermal heat (ground source) and solar heat that exist in nature.
Renewable heat is a heat source that can be permanently used, for
instance, geothermal heat, solar heat, biomass heat, hot spring heat,
water-related heat (river water heat, sea water heat, sewage heat),
and aerothermal heat.
Aiming for a 30% reduction of total cost for further dissemination and marketing
※Abbreviation of Net Zero Energy Building
NEDO Project To Open Up Renewable HeatDevelopment of renewable heat technology by NEDO that will change
the future of Japanese energy policies
Renewable heat
■ The 3rd Strategic Energy Plan (2010) Geothermal heat (ground source) appears for the first time
■ The 4th Strategic Energy Plan (2014) Defined renewable heat for the first time The importance of renewable heat was written Improving heat efficiency leads to energy utilization efficiency, therefore it is necessary to enhance measures for that.
■ The 5th Strategic Energy Plan (2018)
2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 20232014 2019
Used to cool agricultural products and rooms by saving snowfall during the winter and ice created by cold air as cold source until next summer.
Used for heaters and hot water supply by directly burning biomass fuel, such as woody chips that are organic substances originated from animals and plants and sewage sludge.
Heat utilization
Power generation
Boiler
Biomass
Used for air-conditioners by exchang-ing heat at 10-200m depth which is constant at all times with outside air and heat medium.
Used for hot water supply and heaters by collecting solar energy that generates heat energy to raise water and air temperature.
In order to contribute to the resolution of social issues, NEDO formulates technolo-
gy strategies and project plans and, as part of its project management, establishes
project implementation frameworks by combining the capabilities of industry,
academia, and government. NEDO also promotes technology development by
carrying out, evaluating, and allocating funding to promising projects to accelerate
the practical
appl icat ion
of project
results.
Positioning of NEDO as an Innovation Accelerator
Evidence forpolicy makingEvidence forpolicy making
https://www.nedo.go.jp/
Framework developmentand operationFramework developmentand operation
Assessment,allocation of fundingAssessment,allocation of funding
04 05Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Taniguchi Professor Nagano has been
chief of the evaluation committee for
“Research and Development for Total Cost
Reduction of Heat Utilization as Renew-
able Energy” since 2019, after being part
of the “Research and Development for
Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
from 2014-2018. How did you start your
research on GSHP system?
Nagano It all began 38 years ago, from
my graduation thesis on underground heat
storage. My supervisor, Professor Ochifu-
ji, commenced the research when learned
about “seasonal heat storage in the
ground,” a technology that was being
boomed in Europe and North America. As
a student of Hokkaido University, I also
studied seasonal heat storage combined
with a heat pump unit during those times.
Although I began working for a private
enterprise after completing graduate
school, I returned to Hokkaido University
as an assistant professor, and had an
opportunity to take part in the IEA
(International Energy Agency) ECES
(Energy Conservation through Energy
Storage) Annex8 activities, which Japan
was also a member of. I carried out a
research on the heat transfer performance
of horizontal spiral heat exchangers at the
same time.
From Studying Soil Heat Storage to GSHP system
With the goal “2050 Carbon Neutral,” energy policies in Japan are facing a major turning point. Prof. Nagano Katsunori Hokkaido University, who has been studying ground source heat pump (GSHP) for a long time, and Taniguchi Satoko from NEDO will discuss the current situation and problems of GSHP system and the ideal future of smart community in Japan.
Japan’s geothermal technology, which is world-class
Taniguchi Don’t you also conduct
research on building facilities and air
conditioning?
Nagano The field of research in our laborato-
ry is environmental engineering, namely,
facilities related to thermal engineering and
indoor thermal environment. We do education
and research works not only those specific
themes, but also the use of renewable energy
resources and applications for the social
infrastructure to prevent global warming,
including district heating and cooling system
and smart energy communities.
Taniguchi Where is Japan’s GSHP
system technology at, compared to
overseas?
Nagano I think that the research and
development level of the heat source side,
such as borehole heat exchanger, heat
transfer analyses, and potential maps, as
well as component technology like
U-pipes in Japan are advanced to those of
other countries. However, when we look
at the modern water source heat pump unit,
development of highly efficient models are
not enough, and major manufacturers do
not adopt the latest technology for their
products in Japan. For instance, in EU
countries, many minor enterprises
manufacture very high efficient heat
pumps that are small in size while having a
high rated condition, COP (coefficient of
performance), of over 4.5. They also have
great choices of auxiliaries and control
systems, in addition to beautiful package
designs. Needless to say that the hydraulic
heating system market is larger, but
Europeans value time spent at home, and
the products satisfy not only indoor
comfort but also the recent global environ-
mental needs. Japan does not mature these
culture and preference yet.
Taniguchi The market for renewable
thermal energy system in Japan is still
small, and is mostly consisted of minor
enterprises, but major enterprises are
beginning to take interest little by little.
Still, although major enterprises are
crucial to dissemination, it has been
difficult for them to enter the market
without a specific policy or numeric target.
Nagano I agree. Even when major
companies start renewable-thermal
energy-related business, they often
disappear in a few years because they
cannot make enough profit. Another factor
is that there are not many stakeholders that
try to continue the business in this field.
On top of that, most people value cost too
much. 80% of the Japanese population live
in a temperate environmental region,
where even lower price air-conditioners
show fair performance. In Tokyo area and
southward, it is normal to purchase
air-conditioners at electronics retail stores
even for custom-built homes. This is
unimaginable in Hokkaido. Warm in the
house has value. People in Hokkaido
invest money for the new house to obtain
more comfort indoor thermal environment
in winter, so central hydraulic heating
system with panel radiators is pretty
popular as the same situation as in Europe.
Taniguchi In that sense, people living in
cold areas value heating and air-condition-
ing for their warmth and comfortability.
Nagano Yes. When they build a house,
warmth comes first, and fuel efficiency, or
financial efficiency are the second.
Recently, most heating heat sources are latent heat recovery gas
boilers with high thermal efficiency.
However, hydraulic heating system using ground source heat pump
can reduce CO₂ emission by half to one third those from fossil fuel
combustion boiler systems. The investment cost is a biggest
problem, but NEDO’s current project on a duct air-conditioner using
ground heat source connected with central ventilation system seems
promising. This is because the ventilation duct can also be used for
distributing heated and cooled air, and the cost can be considerably
reduced by laying the horizontal ground heat exchanger. Also, this
system can operate as not only heating, but also as air-conditioning
ventilation and dehumidification, making it functional throughout
Japan. It reduces the operation cost and improves both indoor
thermal comfort and air quality.
Taniguchi What is necessary to expand usage outside cold
regions?
Nagano Right now, it is difficult to collaborate with major home
builders and industries. Instead, we are working together with
associations of medium or small scale construction companies and
engineering firms that conduct business nationwide. First, produce
good examples in different areas. The business will expand once
people understand how good B/C (benefit/cost) performance and
low maintenance frequency are. Then, clients increase, more
companies enter this market, and consumers can have a wider
choice. Eventually, large enterprises will join and develop the
market. In addition, COVID-19 is changing our lifestyle. Since
consumers stay home for a longer time, I believe that the value of
ventilation and needs for a better heating and cooling environment
will rise.
Taniguchi Ground source heat has a lot of potential, with less
disadvantages compared to other renewable energy. With the goal of
“2050 Carbon Neutral,” how do you think ground source heat
should be promoted ?
Nagano I think there are two ways. First is to aim for ZEB or
ZEH. While ZEB is achievable in the suburbs, it is difficult in the
city with dense buildings, skyscrapers, and less sunlight. Still, the
methodology is the same: thoroughly improve the thermal perfor-
mance of the building by controlling sunlight and installing higher
performance windows, airtightness, and high efficient mechanical
systems ; install a ventilation system with a highly efficient heat
recovery; adopt a ground source heat pump that is essential for
reducing CO₂ emission to respond to the heat demand for heating,
air-conditioning, and hot water supply. In fact, most ZEBs in
Hokkaido adopt a Ground Source Heat Pump system installed.
Second, build an energy network to efficiently use heat and electric-
ity generated by renewable energy resources. Urban areas can not be
self-sufficient in energy, so they need nearby mega solar power
generation plans and wind farms to supply renewable electricity. On
the other hand, the pattern of heat and electric energy demands
varies, such as in office buildings and hotels, since they operate at
different times. If electricity and power are to be supplied individu-
ally, investment will be necessary in electric power and heat source
facilities that correspond to the peak load. However, what if this is
done as a community? Peak hours even out, and demand will
fluctuate gradually. This is the concept of district energy supply in a
larger scale. In Denmark, the use of a “fourth generation district
heating system” that combines all kinds of available renewable
energy resources to supply rather low temperature hot water of
around 65℃ has been replaced from conventional systems. Since
the greatest energy demand in the city is “heat,” it is logical to use
regenerative heat pumps that are cheaper. Especially ground source
heat pumps are ideal to balance the demand and supply of electric
power and heat, because they can store heat for days or even
seasons. Also, in recent years, a new type of district heating system
with a heat source network has been emerging used in a number of
large scale Ground Source Heat Pump systems in Germany,
Switzerland and central European countries. Each building or
facility have high efficiency heat pumps and these are connected to
multiple BHEs (Borehole type ground HE) over 200 meters deep as
a function of both the heat source in winter and the heat sink in
summer, where the fluid circulates through the loop conduit. It is
fluid network of the heat source side, but the key technology is that
it involves a large-scale BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage) ,
and the heat source side fluid temperature varies approximately
from 5 to 25℃ all year long. This is called the “fifth generation
district heating and cooling system” ( 5GDHC )in Europe. Famous
examples are the new campus of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Zürich) and redevelopment projects in
front of stations outside Zürich City. This can also be installed in
Japan.
Taniguchi Past NEDO projects related to ground source heat
technology were very successful. The current technology develop-
ment project entered its third year, coming to a phase where we
obtain data and verify the effects, and think of dissemination
measures. Upon promoting future technology development as the
evaluation committee chief, what are your comments on how
ground source heat should be?
Nagano The individual technology level of ground source heat
system in Japan is rather high enough. However, we are in urgent
need of integrators that can put together, plan, design, operate, and
manage these technologies as a combined utilization of ground heat
source system. Ground heat source can be used anywhere, anytime,
and by anyone, and is known to lead highly efficiency. We are
convinced that, combining various local renewal energy resources,
including ground heat source, to minimize CO₂ emission and supply
heat and electricity for the smart energy community in addition to
promoting ZEB and ZEH will increase its value. Ground heat source
utilization, both heat source and heat storage, will become a core of
the next generation renewal energy utilization system.
Taniguchi What do you think NEDO’s future role should be?
Nagano It is most important not to be the results and achievements
of NEDO’s research and development shelved. I hope businesses
would cultivate the seed of the results, continuous research, develop-
ment, and sales activities until the seed grows and bears fruit, and
initiatively disseminate those results and achievements. Since
NEDO has support programs for various phases, sharing informa-
tion and offering advice are also an important role. I look forward to
seeing ground heat source system will be able to contribute to a
substantial reduction in CO₂ emission and conserving better urban
environment in Japan.
The Future of Energy Realized by Ground Source Heat Pump System
NAGANOKATSUNORI
TANIGUCHISATOKO
NEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentHeat Utilization Group Project Manager
Hokkaido University Professor, Director of International Exchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
AGANOAGANOAGANOAGANOAGANONKATSUNORIKATSUNORIKATSUNORIKATSUNORIKATSUNORIKATSUNORIKATSUNORI
Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Hokkaido University Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Professor, Director of International Exchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
Graduated from Hokkaido University Graduate School
Faculty of Engineering with a master’s degree in 1985.
Nagano began his career at Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., later
becoming an assistant professor, associate professor, then
a professor in 2006 at Hokkaido University, Graduate
School of Engineering. Specializing in environmental energy
technology and plant engineering, especially renewable
thermal energy utilization, improved energy ef�ciency using
heat pump system, and optimal control of a smart commu-
nity, he is chief of the evaluation committee of NEDO
“Research and Development for Total Cost Reduction of
Heat Utilization as Renewable Energy” since 2019.
Graduated from Kyushu University
Department of Earth Resources
Engineering with a master’s degree in
2007. She is the project manager of
Research and Development for Total
Cost Reduction of Heat Utilization as
Renewable Energy since 2019.
Exchange Office of Faculty of EngineeringExchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
06 07Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Taniguchi Professor Nagano has been
chief of the evaluation committee for
“Research and Development for Total Cost
Reduction of Heat Utilization as Renew-
able Energy” since 2019, after being part
of the “Research and Development for
Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
from 2014-2018. How did you start your
research on GSHP system?
Nagano It all began 38 years ago, from
my graduation thesis on underground heat
storage. My supervisor, Professor Ochifu-
ji, commenced the research when learned
about “seasonal heat storage in the
ground,” a technology that was being
boomed in Europe and North America. As
a student of Hokkaido University, I also
studied seasonal heat storage combined
with a heat pump unit during those times.
Although I began working for a private
enterprise after completing graduate
school, I returned to Hokkaido University
as an assistant professor, and had an
opportunity to take part in the IEA
(International Energy Agency) ECES
(Energy Conservation through Energy
Storage) Annex8 activities, which Japan
was also a member of. I carried out a
research on the heat transfer performance
of horizontal spiral heat exchangers at the
same time.
From Studying Soil Heat Storage to GSHP system
With the goal “2050 Carbon Neutral,” energy policies in Japan are facing a major turning point. Prof. Nagano Katsunori Hokkaido University, who has been studying ground source heat pump (GSHP) for a long time, and Taniguchi Satoko from NEDO will discuss the current situation and problems of GSHP system and the ideal future of smart community in Japan.
Japan’s geothermal technology, which is world-class
Taniguchi Don’t you also conduct
research on building facilities and air
conditioning?
Nagano The field of research in our laborato-
ry is environmental engineering, namely,
facilities related to thermal engineering and
indoor thermal environment. We do education
and research works not only those specific
themes, but also the use of renewable energy
resources and applications for the social
infrastructure to prevent global warming,
including district heating and cooling system
and smart energy communities.
Taniguchi Where is Japan’s GSHP
system technology at, compared to
overseas?
Nagano I think that the research and
development level of the heat source side,
such as borehole heat exchanger, heat
transfer analyses, and potential maps, as
well as component technology like
U-pipes in Japan are advanced to those of
other countries. However, when we look
at the modern water source heat pump unit,
development of highly efficient models are
not enough, and major manufacturers do
not adopt the latest technology for their
products in Japan. For instance, in EU
countries, many minor enterprises
manufacture very high efficient heat
pumps that are small in size while having a
high rated condition, COP (coefficient of
performance), of over 4.5. They also have
great choices of auxiliaries and control
systems, in addition to beautiful package
designs. Needless to say that the hydraulic
heating system market is larger, but
Europeans value time spent at home, and
the products satisfy not only indoor
comfort but also the recent global environ-
mental needs. Japan does not mature these
culture and preference yet.
Taniguchi The market for renewable
thermal energy system in Japan is still
small, and is mostly consisted of minor
enterprises, but major enterprises are
beginning to take interest little by little.
Still, although major enterprises are
crucial to dissemination, it has been
difficult for them to enter the market
without a specific policy or numeric target.
Nagano I agree. Even when major
companies start renewable-thermal
energy-related business, they often
disappear in a few years because they
cannot make enough profit. Another factor
is that there are not many stakeholders that
try to continue the business in this field.
On top of that, most people value cost too
much. 80% of the Japanese population live
in a temperate environmental region,
where even lower price air-conditioners
show fair performance. In Tokyo area and
southward, it is normal to purchase
air-conditioners at electronics retail stores
even for custom-built homes. This is
unimaginable in Hokkaido. Warm in the
house has value. People in Hokkaido
invest money for the new house to obtain
more comfort indoor thermal environment
in winter, so central hydraulic heating
system with panel radiators is pretty
popular as the same situation as in Europe.
Taniguchi In that sense, people living in
cold areas value heating and air-condition-
ing for their warmth and comfortability.
Nagano Yes. When they build a house,
warmth comes first, and fuel efficiency, or
financial efficiency are the second.
Recently, most heating heat sources are latent heat recovery gas
boilers with high thermal efficiency.
However, hydraulic heating system using ground source heat pump
can reduce CO₂ emission by half to one third those from fossil fuel
combustion boiler systems. The investment cost is a biggest
problem, but NEDO’s current project on a duct air-conditioner using
ground heat source connected with central ventilation system seems
promising. This is because the ventilation duct can also be used for
distributing heated and cooled air, and the cost can be considerably
reduced by laying the horizontal ground heat exchanger. Also, this
system can operate as not only heating, but also as air-conditioning
ventilation and dehumidification, making it functional throughout
Japan. It reduces the operation cost and improves both indoor
thermal comfort and air quality.
Taniguchi What is necessary to expand usage outside cold
regions?
Nagano Right now, it is difficult to collaborate with major home
builders and industries. Instead, we are working together with
associations of medium or small scale construction companies and
engineering firms that conduct business nationwide. First, produce
good examples in different areas. The business will expand once
people understand how good B/C (benefit/cost) performance and
low maintenance frequency are. Then, clients increase, more
companies enter this market, and consumers can have a wider
choice. Eventually, large enterprises will join and develop the
market. In addition, COVID-19 is changing our lifestyle. Since
consumers stay home for a longer time, I believe that the value of
ventilation and needs for a better heating and cooling environment
will rise.
Taniguchi Ground source heat has a lot of potential, with less
disadvantages compared to other renewable energy. With the goal of
“2050 Carbon Neutral,” how do you think ground source heat
should be promoted ?
Nagano I think there are two ways. First is to aim for ZEB or
ZEH. While ZEB is achievable in the suburbs, it is difficult in the
city with dense buildings, skyscrapers, and less sunlight. Still, the
methodology is the same: thoroughly improve the thermal perfor-
mance of the building by controlling sunlight and installing higher
performance windows, airtightness, and high efficient mechanical
systems ; install a ventilation system with a highly efficient heat
recovery; adopt a ground source heat pump that is essential for
reducing CO₂ emission to respond to the heat demand for heating,
air-conditioning, and hot water supply. In fact, most ZEBs in
Hokkaido adopt a Ground Source Heat Pump system installed.
Second, build an energy network to efficiently use heat and electric-
ity generated by renewable energy resources. Urban areas can not be
self-sufficient in energy, so they need nearby mega solar power
generation plans and wind farms to supply renewable electricity. On
the other hand, the pattern of heat and electric energy demands
varies, such as in office buildings and hotels, since they operate at
different times. If electricity and power are to be supplied individu-
ally, investment will be necessary in electric power and heat source
facilities that correspond to the peak load. However, what if this is
done as a community? Peak hours even out, and demand will
fluctuate gradually. This is the concept of district energy supply in a
larger scale. In Denmark, the use of a “fourth generation district
heating system” that combines all kinds of available renewable
energy resources to supply rather low temperature hot water of
around 65℃ has been replaced from conventional systems. Since
the greatest energy demand in the city is “heat,” it is logical to use
regenerative heat pumps that are cheaper. Especially ground source
heat pumps are ideal to balance the demand and supply of electric
power and heat, because they can store heat for days or even
seasons. Also, in recent years, a new type of district heating system
with a heat source network has been emerging used in a number of
large scale Ground Source Heat Pump systems in Germany,
Switzerland and central European countries. Each building or
facility have high efficiency heat pumps and these are connected to
multiple BHEs (Borehole type ground HE) over 200 meters deep as
a function of both the heat source in winter and the heat sink in
summer, where the fluid circulates through the loop conduit. It is
fluid network of the heat source side, but the key technology is that
it involves a large-scale BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage) ,
and the heat source side fluid temperature varies approximately
from 5 to 25℃ all year long. This is called the “fifth generation
district heating and cooling system” ( 5GDHC )in Europe. Famous
examples are the new campus of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Zürich) and redevelopment projects in
front of stations outside Zürich City. This can also be installed in
Japan.
Taniguchi Past NEDO projects related to ground source heat
technology were very successful. The current technology develop-
ment project entered its third year, coming to a phase where we
obtain data and verify the effects, and think of dissemination
measures. Upon promoting future technology development as the
evaluation committee chief, what are your comments on how
ground source heat should be?
Nagano The individual technology level of ground source heat
system in Japan is rather high enough. However, we are in urgent
need of integrators that can put together, plan, design, operate, and
manage these technologies as a combined utilization of ground heat
source system. Ground heat source can be used anywhere, anytime,
and by anyone, and is known to lead highly efficiency. We are
convinced that, combining various local renewal energy resources,
including ground heat source, to minimize CO₂ emission and supply
heat and electricity for the smart energy community in addition to
promoting ZEB and ZEH will increase its value. Ground heat source
utilization, both heat source and heat storage, will become a core of
the next generation renewal energy utilization system.
Taniguchi What do you think NEDO’s future role should be?
Nagano It is most important not to be the results and achievements
of NEDO’s research and development shelved. I hope businesses
would cultivate the seed of the results, continuous research, develop-
ment, and sales activities until the seed grows and bears fruit, and
initiatively disseminate those results and achievements. Since
NEDO has support programs for various phases, sharing informa-
tion and offering advice are also an important role. I look forward to
seeing ground heat source system will be able to contribute to a
substantial reduction in CO₂ emission and conserving better urban
environment in Japan.
The Future of Energy Realized by Ground Source Heat Pump System
NAGANOKATSUNORI
TANIGUCHISATOKO
NEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentHeat Utilization Group Project Manager
Hokkaido University Professor, Director of International Exchange Office of Faculty of Engineering
ANIGUCHIANIGUCHITANIGUCHITANIGUCHITANIGUCHIANIGUCHIANIGUCHIANIGUCHIANIGUCHITTANIGUCHITSATOKOSATOKOSATOKOSATOKOSATOKOSATOKO
NEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentNEDO New Energy Technology DepartmentHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project ManagerHeat Utilization Group Project Manager
Graduated from Hokkaido University Graduate School
Faculty of Engineering with a master’s degree in 1985.
Nagano began his career at Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., later
becoming an assistant professor, associate professor, then
a professor in 2006 at Hokkaido University, Graduate
School of Engineering. Specializing in environmental energy
technology and plant engineering, especially renewable
thermal energy utilization, improved energy ef�ciency using
heat pump system, and optimal control of a smart commu-
nity, he is chief of the evaluation committee of NEDO
“Research and Development for Total Cost Reduction of
Heat Utilization as Renewable Energy” since 2019.
Graduated from Kyushu University
Department of Earth Resources
Engineering with a master’s degree in
2007. She is the project manager of
Research and Development for Total
Cost Reduction of Heat Utilization as
Renewable Energy since 2019.
06 07Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Taniguchi Professor Nagano has been
chief of the evaluation committee for
“Research and Development for Total Cost
Reduction of Heat Utilization as Renew-
able Energy” since 2019, after being part
of the “Research and Development for
Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
from 2014-2018. How did you start your
research on GSHP system?
Nagano It all began 38 years ago, from
my graduation thesis on underground heat
storage. My supervisor, Professor Ochifu-
ji, commenced the research when learned
about “seasonal heat storage in the
ground,” a technology that was being
boomed in Europe and North America. As
a student of Hokkaido University, I also
studied seasonal heat storage combined
with a heat pump unit during those times.
Although I began working for a private
enterprise after completing graduate
school, I returned to Hokkaido University
as an assistant professor, and had an
opportunity to take part in the IEA
(International Energy Agency) ECES
(Energy Conservation through Energy
Storage) Annex8 activities, which Japan
was also a member of. I carried out a
research on the heat transfer performance
of horizontal spiral heat exchangers at the
same time.
Taniguchi Don’t you also conduct
research on building facilities and air
conditioning?
Nagano The field of research in our laborato-
ry is environmental engineering, namely,
facilities related to thermal engineering and
indoor thermal environment. We do education
and research works not only those specific
themes, but also the use of renewable energy
resources and applications for the social
infrastructure to prevent global warming,
including district heating and cooling system
and smart energy communities.
Taniguchi Where is Japan’s GSHP
system technology at, compared to
overseas?
Nagano I think that the research and
development level of the heat source side,
such as borehole heat exchanger, heat
transfer analyses, and potential maps, as
well as component technology like
U-pipes in Japan are advanced to those of
other countries. However, when we look
at the modern water source heat pump unit,
development of highly efficient models are
not enough, and major manufacturers do
not adopt the latest technology for their
products in Japan. For instance, in EU
countries, many minor enterprises
manufacture very high efficient heat
pumps that are small in size while having a
high rated condition, COP (coefficient of
performance), of over 4.5. They also have
great choices of auxiliaries and control
systems, in addition to beautiful package
designs. Needless to say that the hydraulic
heating system market is larger, but
Europeans value time spent at home, and
the products satisfy not only indoor
comfort but also the recent global environ-
mental needs. Japan does not mature these
culture and preference yet.
Taniguchi The market for renewable
thermal energy system in Japan is still
small, and is mostly consisted of minor
enterprises, but major enterprises are
beginning to take interest little by little.
Still, although major enterprises are
crucial to dissemination, it has been
difficult for them to enter the market
without a specific policy or numeric target.
Nagano I agree. Even when major
companies start renewable-thermal
energy-related business, they often
disappear in a few years because they
cannot make enough profit. Another factor
is that there are not many stakeholders that
try to continue the business in this field.
On top of that, most people value cost too
much. 80% of the Japanese population live
in a temperate environmental region,
where even lower price air-conditioners
show fair performance. In Tokyo area and
southward, it is normal to purchase
air-conditioners at electronics retail stores
even for custom-built homes. This is
unimaginable in Hokkaido. Warm in the
house has value. People in Hokkaido
invest money for the new house to obtain
more comfort indoor thermal environment
in winter, so central hydraulic heating
system with panel radiators is pretty
popular as the same situation as in Europe.
Taniguchi In that sense, people living in
cold areas value heating and air-condition-
ing for their warmth and comfortability.
Nagano Yes. When they build a house,
warmth comes first, and fuel efficiency, or
financial efficiency are the second.
Recently, most heating heat sources are latent heat recovery gas
boilers with high thermal efficiency.
However, hydraulic heating system using ground source heat pump
can reduce CO₂ emission by half to one third those from fossil fuel
combustion boiler systems. The investment cost is a biggest
problem, but NEDO’s current project on a duct air-conditioner using
ground heat source connected with central ventilation system seems
promising. This is because the ventilation duct can also be used for
distributing heated and cooled air, and the cost can be considerably
reduced by laying the horizontal ground heat exchanger. Also, this
system can operate as not only heating, but also as air-conditioning
ventilation and dehumidification, making it functional throughout
Japan. It reduces the operation cost and improves both indoor
thermal comfort and air quality.
Taniguchi What is necessary to expand usage outside cold
regions?
Nagano Right now, it is difficult to collaborate with major home
builders and industries. Instead, we are working together with
associations of medium or small scale construction companies and
engineering firms that conduct business nationwide. First, produce
good examples in different areas. The business will expand once
people understand how good B/C (benefit/cost) performance and
low maintenance frequency are. Then, clients increase, more
companies enter this market, and consumers can have a wider
choice. Eventually, large enterprises will join and develop the
market. In addition, COVID-19 is changing our lifestyle. Since
consumers stay home for a longer time, I believe that the value of
ventilation and needs for a better heating and cooling environment
will rise.
Taniguchi Ground source heat has a lot of potential, with less
disadvantages compared to other renewable energy. With the goal of
“2050 Carbon Neutral,” how do you think ground source heat
should be promoted ?
Nagano I think there are two ways. First is to aim for ZEB or
ZEH. While ZEB is achievable in the suburbs, it is difficult in the
Promoting Renewable Heat Utilization Through ZEB/ZEH and District Heat and Cooling
Realizing a Smart Community With Diverse Renewable Energy
city with dense buildings, skyscrapers, and less sunlight. Still, the
methodology is the same: thoroughly improve the thermal perfor-
mance of the building by controlling sunlight and installing higher
performance windows, airtightness, and high efficient mechanical
systems ; install a ventilation system with a highly efficient heat
recovery; adopt a ground source heat pump that is essential for
reducing CO₂ emission to respond to the heat demand for heating,
air-conditioning, and hot water supply. In fact, most ZEBs in
Hokkaido adopt a Ground Source Heat Pump system installed.
Second, build an energy network to efficiently use heat and electric-
ity generated by renewable energy resources. Urban areas can not be
self-sufficient in energy, so they need nearby mega solar power
generation plans and wind farms to supply renewable electricity. On
the other hand, the pattern of heat and electric energy demands
varies, such as in office buildings and hotels, since they operate at
different times. If electricity and power are to be supplied individu-
ally, investment will be necessary in electric power and heat source
facilities that correspond to the peak load. However, what if this is
done as a community? Peak hours even out, and demand will
fluctuate gradually. This is the concept of district energy supply in a
larger scale. In Denmark, the use of a “fourth generation district
heating system” that combines all kinds of available renewable
energy resources to supply rather low temperature hot water of
around 65℃ has been replaced from conventional systems. Since
the greatest energy demand in the city is “heat,” it is logical to use
regenerative heat pumps that are cheaper. Especially ground source
heat pumps are ideal to balance the demand and supply of electric
power and heat, because they can store heat for days or even
seasons. Also, in recent years, a new type of district heating system
with a heat source network has been emerging used in a number of
large scale Ground Source Heat Pump systems in Germany,
Switzerland and central European countries. Each building or
facility have high efficiency heat pumps and these are connected to
multiple BHEs (Borehole type ground HE) over 200 meters deep as
a function of both the heat source in winter and the heat sink in
summer, where the fluid circulates through the loop conduit. It is
fluid network of the heat source side, but the key technology is that
it involves a large-scale BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage) ,
and the heat source side fluid temperature varies approximately
from 5 to 25℃ all year long. This is called the “fifth generation
district heating and cooling system” ( 5GDHC )in Europe. Famous
examples are the new campus of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Zürich) and redevelopment projects in
front of stations outside Zürich City. This can also be installed in
Japan.
Taniguchi Past NEDO projects related to ground source heat
technology were very successful. The current technology develop-
ment project entered its third year, coming to a phase where we
obtain data and verify the effects, and think of dissemination
measures. Upon promoting future technology development as the
evaluation committee chief, what are your comments on how
ground source heat should be?
Nagano The individual technology level of ground source heat
system in Japan is rather high enough. However, we are in urgent
need of integrators that can put together, plan, design, operate, and
manage these technologies as a combined utilization of ground heat
source system. Ground heat source can be used anywhere, anytime,
and by anyone, and is known to lead highly efficiency. We are
convinced that, combining various local renewal energy resources,
including ground heat source, to minimize CO₂ emission and supply
heat and electricity for the smart energy community in addition to
promoting ZEB and ZEH will increase its value. Ground heat source
utilization, both heat source and heat storage, will become a core of
the next generation renewal energy utilization system.
Taniguchi What do you think NEDO’s future role should be?
Nagano It is most important not to be the results and achievements
of NEDO’s research and development shelved. I hope businesses
would cultivate the seed of the results, continuous research, develop-
ment, and sales activities until the seed grows and bears fruit, and
initiatively disseminate those results and achievements. Since
NEDO has support programs for various phases, sharing informa-
tion and offering advice are also an important role. I look forward to
seeing ground heat source system will be able to contribute to a
substantial reduction in CO₂ emission and conserving better urban
environment in Japan.
Source: Bradley, S. (2020, August 25). Switzerland continues to bet on geothermal energy. SWI swissinfo.ch. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-contin-ues-to-bet-on-geothermal-energy/45980810.
5th generation DHC in ETH in Zurich
S P E C I A L TA L K
<Interview Venue>
New company building of T-SYOU Co, Ltd. that was
turned into nearly ZEB
This nearly ZEB has adopted
low-E coating triple glazing
windows , filling formed
urethane thermal insulation in
the gap between the existing
outer and a new inner wall,
and Ground Source Heat
Pump system developed by Sunpot Co. Ltd. and Hokkaido
University supported by NEDO project.
It is important not to make the results of research and development weather.It is most important not to be the results and achievements of NEDO’s research and development shelved.
Cold regions can be a starting point of the dissemination of ground heat source utilization.
08 09Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Taniguchi Professor Nagano has been
chief of the evaluation committee for
“Research and Development for Total Cost
Reduction of Heat Utilization as Renew-
able Energy” since 2019, after being part
of the “Research and Development for
Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
from 2014-2018. How did you start your
research on GSHP system?
Nagano It all began 38 years ago, from
my graduation thesis on underground heat
storage. My supervisor, Professor Ochifu-
ji, commenced the research when learned
about “seasonal heat storage in the
ground,” a technology that was being
boomed in Europe and North America. As
a student of Hokkaido University, I also
studied seasonal heat storage combined
with a heat pump unit during those times.
Although I began working for a private
enterprise after completing graduate
school, I returned to Hokkaido University
as an assistant professor, and had an
opportunity to take part in the IEA
(International Energy Agency) ECES
(Energy Conservation through Energy
Storage) Annex8 activities, which Japan
was also a member of. I carried out a
research on the heat transfer performance
of horizontal spiral heat exchangers at the
same time.
Taniguchi Don’t you also conduct
research on building facilities and air
conditioning?
Nagano The field of research in our laborato-
ry is environmental engineering, namely,
facilities related to thermal engineering and
indoor thermal environment. We do education
and research works not only those specific
themes, but also the use of renewable energy
resources and applications for the social
infrastructure to prevent global warming,
including district heating and cooling system
and smart energy communities.
Taniguchi Where is Japan’s GSHP
system technology at, compared to
overseas?
Nagano I think that the research and
development level of the heat source side,
such as borehole heat exchanger, heat
transfer analyses, and potential maps, as
well as component technology like
U-pipes in Japan are advanced to those of
other countries. However, when we look
at the modern water source heat pump unit,
development of highly efficient models are
not enough, and major manufacturers do
not adopt the latest technology for their
products in Japan. For instance, in EU
countries, many minor enterprises
manufacture very high efficient heat
pumps that are small in size while having a
high rated condition, COP (coefficient of
performance), of over 4.5. They also have
great choices of auxiliaries and control
systems, in addition to beautiful package
designs. Needless to say that the hydraulic
heating system market is larger, but
Europeans value time spent at home, and
the products satisfy not only indoor
comfort but also the recent global environ-
mental needs. Japan does not mature these
culture and preference yet.
Taniguchi The market for renewable
thermal energy system in Japan is still
small, and is mostly consisted of minor
enterprises, but major enterprises are
beginning to take interest little by little.
Still, although major enterprises are
crucial to dissemination, it has been
difficult for them to enter the market
without a specific policy or numeric target.
Nagano I agree. Even when major
companies start renewable-thermal
energy-related business, they often
disappear in a few years because they
cannot make enough profit. Another factor
is that there are not many stakeholders that
try to continue the business in this field.
On top of that, most people value cost too
much. 80% of the Japanese population live
in a temperate environmental region,
where even lower price air-conditioners
show fair performance. In Tokyo area and
southward, it is normal to purchase
air-conditioners at electronics retail stores
even for custom-built homes. This is
unimaginable in Hokkaido. Warm in the
house has value. People in Hokkaido
invest money for the new house to obtain
more comfort indoor thermal environment
in winter, so central hydraulic heating
system with panel radiators is pretty
popular as the same situation as in Europe.
Taniguchi In that sense, people living in
cold areas value heating and air-condition-
ing for their warmth and comfortability.
Nagano Yes. When they build a house,
warmth comes first, and fuel efficiency, or
financial efficiency are the second.
Recently, most heating heat sources are latent heat recovery gas
boilers with high thermal efficiency.
However, hydraulic heating system using ground source heat pump
can reduce CO₂ emission by half to one third those from fossil fuel
combustion boiler systems. The investment cost is a biggest
problem, but NEDO’s current project on a duct air-conditioner using
ground heat source connected with central ventilation system seems
promising. This is because the ventilation duct can also be used for
distributing heated and cooled air, and the cost can be considerably
reduced by laying the horizontal ground heat exchanger. Also, this
system can operate as not only heating, but also as air-conditioning
ventilation and dehumidification, making it functional throughout
Japan. It reduces the operation cost and improves both indoor
thermal comfort and air quality.
Taniguchi What is necessary to expand usage outside cold
regions?
Nagano Right now, it is difficult to collaborate with major home
builders and industries. Instead, we are working together with
associations of medium or small scale construction companies and
engineering firms that conduct business nationwide. First, produce
good examples in different areas. The business will expand once
people understand how good B/C (benefit/cost) performance and
low maintenance frequency are. Then, clients increase, more
companies enter this market, and consumers can have a wider
choice. Eventually, large enterprises will join and develop the
market. In addition, COVID-19 is changing our lifestyle. Since
consumers stay home for a longer time, I believe that the value of
ventilation and needs for a better heating and cooling environment
will rise.
Taniguchi Ground source heat has a lot of potential, with less
disadvantages compared to other renewable energy. With the goal of
“2050 Carbon Neutral,” how do you think ground source heat
should be promoted ?
Nagano I think there are two ways. First is to aim for ZEB or
ZEH. While ZEB is achievable in the suburbs, it is difficult in the
Promoting Renewable Heat Utilization Through ZEB/ZEH and District Heat and Cooling
Realizing a Smart Community With Diverse Renewable Energy
city with dense buildings, skyscrapers, and less sunlight. Still, the
methodology is the same: thoroughly improve the thermal perfor-
mance of the building by controlling sunlight and installing higher
performance windows, airtightness, and high efficient mechanical
systems ; install a ventilation system with a highly efficient heat
recovery; adopt a ground source heat pump that is essential for
reducing CO₂ emission to respond to the heat demand for heating,
air-conditioning, and hot water supply. In fact, most ZEBs in
Hokkaido adopt a Ground Source Heat Pump system installed.
Second, build an energy network to efficiently use heat and electric-
ity generated by renewable energy resources. Urban areas can not be
self-sufficient in energy, so they need nearby mega solar power
generation plans and wind farms to supply renewable electricity. On
the other hand, the pattern of heat and electric energy demands
varies, such as in office buildings and hotels, since they operate at
different times. If electricity and power are to be supplied individu-
ally, investment will be necessary in electric power and heat source
facilities that correspond to the peak load. However, what if this is
done as a community? Peak hours even out, and demand will
fluctuate gradually. This is the concept of district energy supply in a
larger scale. In Denmark, the use of a “fourth generation district
heating system” that combines all kinds of available renewable
energy resources to supply rather low temperature hot water of
around 65℃ has been replaced from conventional systems. Since
the greatest energy demand in the city is “heat,” it is logical to use
regenerative heat pumps that are cheaper. Especially ground source
heat pumps are ideal to balance the demand and supply of electric
power and heat, because they can store heat for days or even
seasons. Also, in recent years, a new type of district heating system
with a heat source network has been emerging used in a number of
large scale Ground Source Heat Pump systems in Germany,
Switzerland and central European countries. Each building or
facility have high efficiency heat pumps and these are connected to
multiple BHEs (Borehole type ground HE) over 200 meters deep as
a function of both the heat source in winter and the heat sink in
summer, where the fluid circulates through the loop conduit. It is
fluid network of the heat source side, but the key technology is that
it involves a large-scale BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage) ,
and the heat source side fluid temperature varies approximately
from 5 to 25℃ all year long. This is called the “fifth generation
district heating and cooling system” ( 5GDHC )in Europe. Famous
examples are the new campus of ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology in Zürich) and redevelopment projects in
front of stations outside Zürich City. This can also be installed in
Japan.
Taniguchi Past NEDO projects related to ground source heat
technology were very successful. The current technology develop-
ment project entered its third year, coming to a phase where we
obtain data and verify the effects, and think of dissemination
measures. Upon promoting future technology development as the
evaluation committee chief, what are your comments on how
ground source heat should be?
Nagano The individual technology level of ground source heat
system in Japan is rather high enough. However, we are in urgent
need of integrators that can put together, plan, design, operate, and
manage these technologies as a combined utilization of ground heat
source system. Ground heat source can be used anywhere, anytime,
and by anyone, and is known to lead highly efficiency. We are
convinced that, combining various local renewal energy resources,
including ground heat source, to minimize CO₂ emission and supply
heat and electricity for the smart energy community in addition to
promoting ZEB and ZEH will increase its value. Ground heat source
utilization, both heat source and heat storage, will become a core of
the next generation renewal energy utilization system.
Taniguchi What do you think NEDO’s future role should be?
Nagano It is most important not to be the results and achievements
of NEDO’s research and development shelved. I hope businesses
would cultivate the seed of the results, continuous research, develop-
ment, and sales activities until the seed grows and bears fruit, and
initiatively disseminate those results and achievements. Since
NEDO has support programs for various phases, sharing informa-
tion and offering advice are also an important role. I look forward to
seeing ground heat source system will be able to contribute to a
substantial reduction in CO₂ emission and conserving better urban
environment in Japan.
Source: Bradley, S. (2020, August 25). Switzerland continues to bet on geothermal energy. SWI swissinfo.ch. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-contin-ues-to-bet-on-geothermal-energy/45980810.
5th generation DHC in ETH in Zurich
S P E C I A L TA L K
<Interview Venue>
New company building of T-SYOU Co, Ltd. that was
turned into nearly ZEB
This nearly ZEB has adopted
low-E coating triple glazing
windows , filling formed
urethane thermal insulation in
the gap between the existing
outer and a new inner wall,
and Ground Source Heat
Pump system developed by Sunpot Co. Ltd. and Hokkaido
University supported by NEDO project.
It is important not to make the results of research and development weather.It is most important not to be the results and achievements of NEDO’s research and development shelved.
Cold regions can be a starting point of the dissemination of ground heat source utilization.
08 09Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Project Plan
NEDO worked on “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy” from
2014 to 2018. Following are the project plan and list of themes.
Please refer to the progress report database for the details of each project.
https://www.nedo.go.jp/library/database_index.html
Former company name (upon research and development)
*New Nippon Steel Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd.
**Kankyo Sogo Technos Co., Ltd.
***Data Hotel Co.,Ltd.
NEDO PROJECTNEDO PROJECT
D e v e l o p m e n t P r o j e c t s
Operators
Simulation Tool
Simulation Tool Potential Evaluation Technology
Dissemination of renewable energy heat utilization
Users
Shorten payback period
Reduce examination and design fees Specify advantages of installation Cut back machinery cost Lower installation and operation cost
Develop tools for energy conservation estimation, facility design, and performance verification
Component Technology Increasing Efficiency and Normalizing the Total System
Cut down drilling cost using low-noise,
high-speed drilling technologyLower the risk by standardizing the system
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system
Potential Evaluation Technology
Reduce costs by improving component technology
Map of ground source heat usability
Heat utilization of air-conditioner and hot water supply
(Left) Labor-saving, automatic rod supply borehole excavator
with a newly developed V-head “FSGT-150C” (Koken Boring
Machine Co., Ltd.)
(Right) High performance drilling machine with automation and
low-noise technology “Sonic NEO” (Toa-Tone Boring Co., Ltd.)
Ground Club Cloud (Hokkaido University)
Heat pumps
Drilling
Potential map of ground source heat utilization(National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)
Open loop system potential map(Tokai National Higher Education and Research System Gifu University)
Toa-Tone Boring Co., Ltd.
Asahi Kasei Construction Materials Corporation
Theme nameR&D items Business name
University of Fukui/Mitani Sekisan Co.,Ltd.
YBM Co., Ltd./Saga University
Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo/Kajima Corporation/
Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd.
Nikken Sekkei Research Institute/Nagoya City University
Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co./Akita University/
NIPPON PMAC Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido University/NISSIN TECHNO Co., Ltd./Koken Boring Machine Co., Ltd./
INOAC Housing & Construction Materials Co.,Ltd./Sunpot Co., Ltd./
Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd.*/GMLabo Inc.
Development in geothermal utilization technology for cost reduction.
Development and standardization of efficiency increasing technology of total system for geo-heat utilization
Development of Highly Efficient Grand Source Heat Pump System (GSHP), Its Standard-ization and Area Thermal Potential Evaluation Technology
Moriya Corporation
National Agriculture and Food Research Organization/New Industry Creation
Hatchery Center/Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd./Geo System Co., Ltd.
Geo-Research Institute/Kanso Technos Co., Ltd.**/Okayama University
Sogo Setsubi Consulting Co.,Ltd./Osaka City University
Industrial Research Institute of Niigata Prefecture/Tokai University/
Niigatakiki Corporation
Snow shop-Kobiyama/Kyodo News Digital Co., Ltd./NHN Techorus Corp.***/
Kankyo Gijutsu Center Co., Ltd./Zukosha Co., Ltd. /
Muroran Institute of Technology
College of Engineering, Nihon University/Jyu-Kankyo Sekkei-Shitsu Ltd./
Nisshou Techno Corporation
Development of potential evaluation technology for the renewable energy heat utilization
High-Efficiency and Standardization of the Total System for Renewable Energy Heat Utilization
Japan Ground Water Development Co., Ltd./Akita University/
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
OYO Corporation/Geosphere Environmental Technology Corporation
Gifu University/Toho Chisui Co., Ltd./Teikoku International Corporation
Japan Solar System Development Association (JSSDA)/
Meijo University/Building Research Institute
Hiroshima University/TOYO KOATSU Inc. /The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
Development of fundamental technology in geothermal utilization
Development of Underground Heat Storage Technology in Symbiotic Ground
Research and development on installation method of heat retraction
tubes applicable to houses and small to mid-size buildings.
Research and Development of Geothermal Extraction System of Recirculating-Groundwater
Research and Development for Noise Reduction and
Automation of High Performance Drilling Machine
Development of low-cost and high-performance ground
source heat pump system and its design and evaluation
method
Development of Renewable Energy Thermal Utilization Technology/Devel-
opment of Highly Efficient Grand Source Heat Pump System (GSHP), Its
Standardization and Area Thermal Potential Evaluation Technology/Devel-
opment of Low-Cost and Highly Efficient GSHP Systems for Residences
Development of Total Simulation Tool for HVAC System
Combining with Ground source Heat Pump System
Mitigation of global warming by the introduction of highly efficient
and cost effective GSHP systems using urban infrastructures
Development of closed systems using ground heat and
flowing water heat
Development of high performance geothermal heat pump system using
groundwater and Advancement of the potential map for popularization.
Research and developement of estimating Ground-source
Heat potential using terrestrial Fluid-flow modeling techniques
Research and development on the higher efficient system of the
open-loop geothermal heat pump and its potential assessment technique
Technology development for large-scale heat source use of
groundwater by open-loop type systems in metropolitan region
The research and development of construction technology for hybrid heat
source water supply network to promote the utilization of geothermal energy.
Development of Yukimuro cooling unit using
thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by solar power
Research and Development of the Optimization Methods
for a Solar Collection System
Feasibility study on supercritical water gasification of shochu residue and food wastes
Development of heat collection method from snow ice
and heat collection facilities that can use snow cleared
away in a city.
Development of Distributed Water Source Heat-Pump
System for Renewable Energy
P.13
P.14
P.17
P.15
P.16
P.12
Ground heat exchangers
Flat U-Poly pipe (INOAC Housing & Construction Materials Co.,Ltd.)
Resin-made immersion heat exchanging unit: G-HEX (Geosystem Co.,Ltd.)
(Left) Experimental model of a 60kW class air-conditioning heat pump (Sunpot Co., Ltd.)(Right) Sky Source Heat Pump (Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd.)
*The arrow will be reversed during cool summer
*
List of “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
10 11Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Project Plan
NEDO worked on “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy” from
2014 to 2018. Following are the project plan and list of themes.
Please refer to the progress report database for the details of each project.
https://www.nedo.go.jp/library/database_index.html
Former company name (upon research and development)
*New Nippon Steel Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd.
**Kankyo Sogo Technos Co., Ltd.
***Data Hotel Co.,Ltd.
NEDO PROJECTNEDO PROJECT
D e v e l o p m e n t P r o j e c t s
Operators
Simulation Tool
Simulation Tool Potential Evaluation Technology
Dissemination of renewable energy heat utilization
Users
Shorten payback period
Reduce examination and design fees Specify advantages of installation Cut back machinery cost Lower installation and operation cost
Develop tools for energy conservation estimation, facility design, and performance verification
Component Technology Increasing Efficiency and Normalizing the Total System
Cut down drilling cost using low-noise,
high-speed drilling technologyLower the risk by standardizing the system
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system
Potential Evaluation Technology
Reduce costs by improving component technology
Map of ground source heat usability
Heat utilization of air-conditioner and hot water supply
(Left) Labor-saving, automatic rod supply borehole excavator
with a newly developed V-head “FSGT-150C” (Koken Boring
Machine Co., Ltd.)
(Right) High performance drilling machine with automation and
low-noise technology “Sonic NEO” (Toa-Tone Boring Co., Ltd.)
Ground Club Cloud (Hokkaido University)
Heat pumps
Drilling
Potential map of ground source heat utilization(National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)
Open loop system potential map(Tokai National Higher Education and Research System Gifu University)
Toa-Tone Boring Co., Ltd.
Asahi Kasei Construction Materials Corporation
Theme nameR&D items Business name
University of Fukui/Mitani Sekisan Co.,Ltd.
YBM Co., Ltd./Saga University
Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo/Kajima Corporation/
Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd.
Nikken Sekkei Research Institute/Nagoya City University
Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co./Akita University/
NIPPON PMAC Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido University/NISSIN TECHNO Co., Ltd./Koken Boring Machine Co., Ltd./
INOAC Housing & Construction Materials Co.,Ltd./Sunpot Co., Ltd./
Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd.*/GMLabo Inc.
Development in geothermal utilization technology for cost reduction.
Development and standardization of efficiency increasing technology of total system for geo-heat utilization
Development of Highly Efficient Grand Source Heat Pump System (GSHP), Its Standard-ization and Area Thermal Potential Evaluation Technology
Moriya Corporation
National Agriculture and Food Research Organization/New Industry Creation
Hatchery Center/Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd./Geo System Co., Ltd.
Geo-Research Institute/Kanso Technos Co., Ltd.**/Okayama University
Sogo Setsubi Consulting Co.,Ltd./Osaka City University
Industrial Research Institute of Niigata Prefecture/Tokai University/
Niigatakiki Corporation
Snow shop-Kobiyama/Kyodo News Digital Co., Ltd./NHN Techorus Corp.***/
Kankyo Gijutsu Center Co., Ltd./Zukosha Co., Ltd. /
Muroran Institute of Technology
College of Engineering, Nihon University/Jyu-Kankyo Sekkei-Shitsu Ltd./
Nisshou Techno Corporation
Development of potential evaluation technology for the renewable energy heat utilization
High-Efficiency and Standardization of the Total System for Renewable Energy Heat Utilization
Japan Ground Water Development Co., Ltd./Akita University/
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
OYO Corporation/Geosphere Environmental Technology Corporation
Gifu University/Toho Chisui Co., Ltd./Teikoku International Corporation
Japan Solar System Development Association (JSSDA)/
Meijo University/Building Research Institute
Hiroshima University/TOYO KOATSU Inc. /The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
Development of fundamental technology in geothermal utilization
Development of Underground Heat Storage Technology in Symbiotic Ground
Research and development on installation method of heat retraction
tubes applicable to houses and small to mid-size buildings.
Research and Development of Geothermal Extraction System of Recirculating-Groundwater
Research and Development for Noise Reduction and
Automation of High Performance Drilling Machine
Development of low-cost and high-performance ground
source heat pump system and its design and evaluation
method
Development of Renewable Energy Thermal Utilization Technology/Devel-
opment of Highly Efficient Grand Source Heat Pump System (GSHP), Its
Standardization and Area Thermal Potential Evaluation Technology/Devel-
opment of Low-Cost and Highly Efficient GSHP Systems for Residences
Development of Total Simulation Tool for HVAC System
Combining with Ground source Heat Pump System
Mitigation of global warming by the introduction of highly efficient
and cost effective GSHP systems using urban infrastructures
Development of closed systems using ground heat and
flowing water heat
Development of high performance geothermal heat pump system using
groundwater and Advancement of the potential map for popularization.
Research and developement of estimating Ground-source
Heat potential using terrestrial Fluid-flow modeling techniques
Research and development on the higher efficient system of the
open-loop geothermal heat pump and its potential assessment technique
Technology development for large-scale heat source use of
groundwater by open-loop type systems in metropolitan region
The research and development of construction technology for hybrid heat
source water supply network to promote the utilization of geothermal energy.
Development of Yukimuro cooling unit using
thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by solar power
Research and Development of the Optimization Methods
for a Solar Collection System
Feasibility study on supercritical water gasification of shochu residue and food wastes
Development of heat collection method from snow ice
and heat collection facilities that can use snow cleared
away in a city.
Development of Distributed Water Source Heat-Pump
System for Renewable Energy
P.13
P.14
P.17
P.15
P.16
P.12
Ground heat exchangers
Flat U-Poly pipe (INOAC Housing & Construction Materials Co.,Ltd.)
Resin-made immersion heat exchanging unit: G-HEX (Geosystem Co.,Ltd.)
(Left) Experimental model of a 60kW class air-conditioning heat pump (Sunpot Co., Ltd.)(Right) Sky Source Heat Pump (Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd.)
*The arrow will be reversed during cool summer
*
List of “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy”
10 11Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
YBM is a drilling machine manufacturer that has been developing
a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system since 17 years ago.
Wishing reduce the drilling cost and manpower to install the
system, they applied for the NEDO program. The joint research
with Saga University to develop an drilling machine exclusive to
ground source heat that shortens construction period started.
The project enabled the use of a longer rod of 3 meters, shortened
the removal and reinstallation time of the rod, and improved the
workability and safety by developing a U-pipe inserting machine.
Moreover, YBM developed peripheral equipment for the ground
heat exchanger by Saga University. By combining the equipment,
construction period was reduced by 43%, required manpower was
minimized from three people to two, and initial cost dropped by
26%, exceeding the goal of a 20% cutback.
However, Mr. Okubo from YBM added, “Sales activities are not
simple, since people do not frequently replace drilling machine.”
Also, it is difficult to promote the use of GSHP system just for
air-conditioning purposes in Saga Prefecture with temperate weath-
er.
Therefore, YBM moved on to the next step with the support of
NEDO, collaborating with Showa Manufacturing, conducting
research and development of the deployment of a hot water system
using GSHP. Regarding the project, Mr. Okubo emphasized, “It is
effective to promote GSHP system by incorporating hot water
system with air-conditioners, which have great demand.”
Interest in GSHP system in Saga has been rising in recent years.
“We wish to advertise the system not only to the government, but
also to welfare facilities and nursing homes that use a lot of hot
water,” Mr. Okubo remarked. Mr. Matsuo added, “Although we are
an drilling machine manufactur-
er, we also want to contribute to
society through geothermal heat
as ground source, which is safe
yet inexpensive.”
An Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system uses groundwater for
storing heat energy for cooling and heating system: storing cold heat
in winter to use for cooling in the next summer and storing warm
heat in summer to use for heating in the next winter. Japan Ground-
water Development, known for their snow melting system, has been
conducting research and development of ATES system since the
1970s. An operational evaluation has started in 2009, but in order to
tackle the technical issues they applied for the NEDO project.
“Especially in snowy areas in Tohoku region, the heating season is
twice as long as the cooling season. Therefore, cold energy spreads
in the aquifer.” Dr. Yamaya explains. “The “High-Efficiency ATES
System” developed with NEDO was intended to eliminate cold
energy and drastically improves system efficiency by adding solar
heat to the groundwater warmed up by heating and cooling during
the summer season.” A capped well was developed to prevent
groundwater from blowing out, which was one of the issues with the
conventional system, enabling a 100% return of the groundwater
into the aquifer and eliminating the need for drainage and
backwashing operations, thereby reducing the maintenance costs. In
addition, the specialized heat pump jointly developed with Zeneral
Heatpump Industry substantially improved the system efficiency.
As a result, the initial cost decreased by 21%, and running cost
decreased by 31% compared to the conventional open loop system.
In addition to JGD’s office building, this system is to be used for the
new town hall of Kahoku town, Yamagata Prefecture. Dr. Katsuragi
looks forward to its popularization, saying, “It will be a great
promotion if more public facilities install the system and the
economic effects are visualized.” Currently, the next project with
NEDO on ZEB is progressing: research and development of a total
heat supply system based on High-Efficiency Aquifer Thermal
Energy Storage that can cover heat demands for heating and
cooling, hot water supply, and snow melting. Dr. Yamaya showed
enthusiasm for the future, saying, “Yamagata Prefecture is suitable
for ATES, since they have plenty of groundwater. I hope the whole
region deploys the system and becomes a model district of regional
heat supply using groundwater.
Improving system efficiency by heating water after cooling system using solar collector during the summer, and cooling water after heating system by melting snow during the winter.
Achievement of the Cost Reduction and Improvement of Efficiency of Heating and Cooling by Using Aquifer Thermal Energy StorageDevelopment of a High-Efficiency Ground Heat
Utilization System Using Groundwater and
Advancement of Potential Map for its propagation
YBM Co., Ltd.Geothermal Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineering & Development DepartmentDoctor of Engineering
Okubo Hiroaki YBM Co., Ltd.Deputy General Manager, Mechanical Design Engineering & Development Department
Matsuo Hideyuki
Promotion of GSHP system in Temperate Areas
Project details and comments from the developer of “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy” supported by NEDO
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
Solving problems of Conventional Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage through NEDO Project
Integrating heat sources for saving energy and popularization of the system
Development of an Excavator that Reduces Cost and Manpower
Promote Ground Source Heat Pump System With an Exclusive drilling machineDevelopment of Component Technology of GSHP System
Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.STORY.1
YBM Co., Ltd.STORY.2
ECO-13GT used for GSHP system. The rod can be removed and reinstalled quickly, and its high rotary cutting and vibrate crushing abilities enabled speedy drilling.
Utilization Tips
Reduce construction period and manpower by improving operational efficiency of drilling machine
Promote GSHP system in temperate areas by combining hot water supply and air-conditioning
Develop 100m and 30m-class drilling machine
▶
▶
▶
Utilization Tips
Promotion of introducing the system in plains and valleys in Tohoku region with abundant groundwater
Saving energy and costs of heating and hot water supply in cold regions
Mitigating environmental load for aquifer and ground
▶
▶
▶
Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.General Manager of Planning and Development Department
Yamaya Mutsumi, Ph.D.Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.Executive Managing Director
Katsuragi Masahiko, Ph.D.
Heatpump
Heatpump
Cooling and warm heat storage in summer
Heating and cold heat storage in winter
Non-watering snow extinguisher
Alternating use
Solar collector
Aquifer Aquifer
Summer pumpingWinter injection well
Summer pumpingWinter injection well
Winter pumpingSummer injection well
Winter pumpingSummer injection well
12 13Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
YBM is a drilling machine manufacturer that has been developing
a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system since 17 years ago.
Wishing reduce the drilling cost and manpower to install the
system, they applied for the NEDO program. The joint research
with Saga University to develop an drilling machine exclusive to
ground source heat that shortens construction period started.
The project enabled the use of a longer rod of 3 meters, shortened
the removal and reinstallation time of the rod, and improved the
workability and safety by developing a U-pipe inserting machine.
Moreover, YBM developed peripheral equipment for the ground
heat exchanger by Saga University. By combining the equipment,
construction period was reduced by 43%, required manpower was
minimized from three people to two, and initial cost dropped by
26%, exceeding the goal of a 20% cutback.
However, Mr. Okubo from YBM added, “Sales activities are not
simple, since people do not frequently replace drilling machine.”
Also, it is difficult to promote the use of GSHP system just for
air-conditioning purposes in Saga Prefecture with temperate weath-
er.
Therefore, YBM moved on to the next step with the support of
NEDO, collaborating with Showa Manufacturing, conducting
research and development of the deployment of a hot water system
using GSHP. Regarding the project, Mr. Okubo emphasized, “It is
effective to promote GSHP system by incorporating hot water
system with air-conditioners, which have great demand.”
Interest in GSHP system in Saga has been rising in recent years.
“We wish to advertise the system not only to the government, but
also to welfare facilities and nursing homes that use a lot of hot
water,” Mr. Okubo remarked. Mr. Matsuo added, “Although we are
an drilling machine manufactur-
er, we also want to contribute to
society through geothermal heat
as ground source, which is safe
yet inexpensive.”
An Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system uses groundwater for
storing heat energy for cooling and heating system: storing cold heat
in winter to use for cooling in the next summer and storing warm
heat in summer to use for heating in the next winter. Japan Ground-
water Development, known for their snow melting system, has been
conducting research and development of ATES system since the
1970s. An operational evaluation has started in 2009, but in order to
tackle the technical issues they applied for the NEDO project.
“Especially in snowy areas in Tohoku region, the heating season is
twice as long as the cooling season. Therefore, cold energy spreads
in the aquifer.” Dr. Yamaya explains. “The “High-Efficiency ATES
System” developed with NEDO was intended to eliminate cold
energy and drastically improves system efficiency by adding solar
heat to the groundwater warmed up by heating and cooling during
the summer season.” A capped well was developed to prevent
groundwater from blowing out, which was one of the issues with the
conventional system, enabling a 100% return of the groundwater
into the aquifer and eliminating the need for drainage and
backwashing operations, thereby reducing the maintenance costs. In
addition, the specialized heat pump jointly developed with Zeneral
Heatpump Industry substantially improved the system efficiency.
As a result, the initial cost decreased by 21%, and running cost
decreased by 31% compared to the conventional open loop system.
In addition to JGD’s office building, this system is to be used for the
new town hall of Kahoku town, Yamagata Prefecture. Dr. Katsuragi
looks forward to its popularization, saying, “It will be a great
promotion if more public facilities install the system and the
economic effects are visualized.” Currently, the next project with
NEDO on ZEB is progressing: research and development of a total
heat supply system based on High-Efficiency Aquifer Thermal
Energy Storage that can cover heat demands for heating and
cooling, hot water supply, and snow melting. Dr. Yamaya showed
enthusiasm for the future, saying, “Yamagata Prefecture is suitable
for ATES, since they have plenty of groundwater. I hope the whole
region deploys the system and becomes a model district of regional
heat supply using groundwater.
Improving system efficiency by heating water after cooling system using solar collector during the summer, and cooling water after heating system by melting snow during the winter.
Achievement of the Cost Reduction and Improvement of Efficiency of Heating and Cooling by Using Aquifer Thermal Energy StorageDevelopment of a High-Efficiency Ground Heat
Utilization System Using Groundwater and
Advancement of Potential Map for its propagation
YBM Co., Ltd.Geothermal Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineering & Development DepartmentDoctor of Engineering
Okubo Hiroaki YBM Co., Ltd.Deputy General Manager, Mechanical Design Engineering & Development Department
Matsuo Hideyuki
Promotion of GSHP system in Temperate Areas
Project details and comments from the developer of “Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as Renewable Energy” supported by NEDO
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
Solving problems of Conventional Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage through NEDO Project
Integrating heat sources for saving energy and popularization of the system
Development of an Excavator that Reduces Cost and Manpower
Promote Ground Source Heat Pump System With an Exclusive drilling machineDevelopment of Component Technology of GSHP System
Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.STORY.1
YBM Co., Ltd.STORY.2
ECO-13GT used for GSHP system. The rod can be removed and reinstalled quickly, and its high rotary cutting and vibrate crushing abilities enabled speedy drilling.
Utilization Tips
Reduce construction period and manpower by improving operational efficiency of drilling machine
Promote GSHP system in temperate areas by combining hot water supply and air-conditioning
Develop 100m and 30m-class drilling machine
▶
▶
▶
Utilization Tips
Promotion of introducing the system in plains and valleys in Tohoku region with abundant groundwater
Saving energy and costs of heating and hot water supply in cold regions
Mitigating environmental load for aquifer and ground
▶
▶
▶
Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.General Manager of Planning and Development Department
Yamaya Mutsumi, Ph.D.Japan Groundwater Development Co., Ltd.Executive Managing Director
Katsuragi Masahiko, Ph.D.
Heatpump
Heatpump
Cooling and warm heat storage in summer
Heating and cold heat storage in winter
Non-watering snow extinguisher
Alternating use
Solar collector
Aquifer Aquifer
Summer pumpingWinter injection well
Summer pumpingWinter injection well
Winter pumpingSummer injection well
Winter pumpingSummer injection well
12 13Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Moriya Corporation, a total constructor, began their research on
geothermal heat (ground source) technology when they constructed
a GSHP system using boreholes in Karuizawa Ice Park. “Digging
tens of boring holes that are 75-100m deep, about 20cm in diameter
were costly; too expensive for normal engineering firms and construc-
tion companies. Thus, we decided to develop a ground heat collection
and radiation system that reduces cost,” Mr. Nakamura reflected. They
found out about ”Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as
Renewable Energy” by NEDO and applied for the program when they
joined a workshop by Professor Katsuyuki Fujinawa from Shinshu
University in 2013 to learn about GSHP system.
There are several types of GSHP system, such as open loop type that
directly exchanges heat by pumping up well water and closed loop
type that exchanges heat by circulating fluid in a heat exchanger.
However, recharging ground water in the aquifer is difficult for the
former, while the latter is easily affected by outdoor air temperature.
"Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean Heat Collection and
Radiation System” developed with NEDO creates a flow of ground
water by sprinkling water from 20 m underground to the heat
exchanger buried in the ground surface and restoring it to the
aquifer. The “cascade type” with improved performance collects
and radiates heat little by little, reducing water to be pumped up by
half, and the initial and running costs by more than 20%.
“We learned a lot from specialists that we met through the program,
and were able to complete our technology development because
NEDO bore two third of the development cost,” said Mr. Nakamura.
The technology is currently used in three buildings owned by them.
Mr. Nakamura emphasized, “Our next goal is dissemination. We
have been promoting the technology by establishing an association
of 24 companies in 2020. As the necessity of ZEB rises as part of
SDGs, geothermal heat should attract more attention as an
eco-friendly renewable energy that reduces CO₂ emission. We are
trying to spread not only the construction method, but also the
knowledge of geothermal heat itself.”
Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean Heat Collecting System
Further Cost Cut and Dissemination, Shift-ing to ZEB for Environmental Conservation
OYO Corporation, providing a wide range of solution based on
geological information, also develops business in the field of
resources and energy. They discovered and applied for the NEDO
program while searching for a way to use their extensive data on
ground, geology, and ground water for the dissemination of geother-
mal heat (ground source) utilization.
Mr. Takeshima explains, “The key to efficient use of geothermal
heat is accurate information on apparent effective thermal conduc-
tivity of the ground, flow speed of ground water, subsurface
temperature, and so on. In this project, we aimed for an accuracy
that can be used to design air conditioning equipments in buildings
using geothermal heat.”
Heat exchanging efficiency increases when flow velocity is high. If
there is prior information of the ground, the ground heat exchanger
can be set at an appropriate length, and the installation cost can be
reduced. 200,000 km² from Kanto to Tohoku regions, a total area of
20,000 km² in Kanto region and Miyagi Prefecture, and 5,000 km²
with plentiful ground water in Nagano area was chosen. Develop-
ment of geothermal heat potential evaluation technology started by
compiling public ground information and information owned by
OYO, using the numerical simulation technology by Geosphere
Environmental Technology Corporation.
Mr. Takeshima looks back to the project, “Using a detached house
as a model building and calculating the length of the heat exchanger
based on the thermal load of each region was difficult, but that made
the map more useful.” Other notable deliverables were an elaborate
3D geological structure model with a horizontal resolution of 50 m
in the city, and a multi-scale simulation model that takes into consid-
eration the change in ground surface, such as rain.
By exchanging information with other companies that create
potential maps, Mr. Takeshima was assured that the information
they provide was accurate. He confidently added, “Our technology
meets the needs of diverse users.”
Accurate Information for the Efficient Use of Geothermal Heat
Promote Geothermal Heat Utilization With a Map that Caters for Many, Including Designers
“Cascade type” can reuse heat from a single ground water heat source several times. It received the ETV logo in 2020, and won an award at 2020 Energy Conservation Grand Prize.
Reduced electric power for air-conditioners by 24% compared to borehole type.
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
OYO CorporationWater and Dsaster Engineering Business DivisionGeneral ManagerP.E.JpQuali�ed Person for Energy Management
Takeshima Junya
Moriya CorporationTechnical Laboratory Manager
Nakamura Mitsuaki
Provides a potential map with high accuracy and resolution
Calculates necessary lengths of heat exchangers for normal houses
Database that can be used by a wide range of users
▶
▶
▶
Utilization Tips
Mapped the length of heat exchangers that meet the target COP (5.5 with air-conditioner, 3.5 with heater).Businesses can predict appropriate digging depth in advance.
A Construction Company’s Undertake on Ground Heat Collection Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean
Heat Collecting System
Evaluation Technology of Geothermal Heat Potential to Provide Various Information National Land Geothermal Heat Potential Database
Using Geosphere Fluid Modeling
Moriya CorporationSTORY.3 OYO CorporationSTORY.4
Utilization Tips
Suitable areas are around rivers with high permeability and alluvial fans
Even small to mid sized construction companies can use at a low cost
Sustainable system where underground water will be recharged
▶
▶
▶
Heat collection and radiation tank
Well
GSHP
Pump up
Sprinkle waterPenetration
Direction of flow
Direction of flowReturning
Returning
Indoor
Water sprinkling pipe
Heat collection and radiation pipe: high density polyethylene pipe
(circulating fluid of primary side: fresh water)
Secondary circulating fluid: Cold and hot water
(Propylene glycol)
Filled in by permeable material
(river gravel or river sand)
Analyzed region
River
Waters
Length of ground heat exchanger (m)
14 15Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
Moriya Corporation, a total constructor, began their research on
geothermal heat (ground source) technology when they constructed
a GSHP system using boreholes in Karuizawa Ice Park. “Digging
tens of boring holes that are 75-100m deep, about 20cm in diameter
were costly; too expensive for normal engineering firms and construc-
tion companies. Thus, we decided to develop a ground heat collection
and radiation system that reduces cost,” Mr. Nakamura reflected. They
found out about ”Research and Development for Utilization of Heat as
Renewable Energy” by NEDO and applied for the program when they
joined a workshop by Professor Katsuyuki Fujinawa from Shinshu
University in 2013 to learn about GSHP system.
There are several types of GSHP system, such as open loop type that
directly exchanges heat by pumping up well water and closed loop
type that exchanges heat by circulating fluid in a heat exchanger.
However, recharging ground water in the aquifer is difficult for the
former, while the latter is easily affected by outdoor air temperature.
"Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean Heat Collection and
Radiation System” developed with NEDO creates a flow of ground
water by sprinkling water from 20 m underground to the heat
exchanger buried in the ground surface and restoring it to the
aquifer. The “cascade type” with improved performance collects
and radiates heat little by little, reducing water to be pumped up by
half, and the initial and running costs by more than 20%.
“We learned a lot from specialists that we met through the program,
and were able to complete our technology development because
NEDO bore two third of the development cost,” said Mr. Nakamura.
The technology is currently used in three buildings owned by them.
Mr. Nakamura emphasized, “Our next goal is dissemination. We
have been promoting the technology by establishing an association
of 24 companies in 2020. As the necessity of ZEB rises as part of
SDGs, geothermal heat should attract more attention as an
eco-friendly renewable energy that reduces CO₂ emission. We are
trying to spread not only the construction method, but also the
knowledge of geothermal heat itself.”
Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean Heat Collecting System
Further Cost Cut and Dissemination, Shift-ing to ZEB for Environmental Conservation
OYO Corporation, providing a wide range of solution based on
geological information, also develops business in the field of
resources and energy. They discovered and applied for the NEDO
program while searching for a way to use their extensive data on
ground, geology, and ground water for the dissemination of geother-
mal heat (ground source) utilization.
Mr. Takeshima explains, “The key to efficient use of geothermal
heat is accurate information on apparent effective thermal conduc-
tivity of the ground, flow speed of ground water, subsurface
temperature, and so on. In this project, we aimed for an accuracy
that can be used to design air conditioning equipments in buildings
using geothermal heat.”
Heat exchanging efficiency increases when flow velocity is high. If
there is prior information of the ground, the ground heat exchanger
can be set at an appropriate length, and the installation cost can be
reduced. 200,000 km² from Kanto to Tohoku regions, a total area of
20,000 km² in Kanto region and Miyagi Prefecture, and 5,000 km²
with plentiful ground water in Nagano area was chosen. Develop-
ment of geothermal heat potential evaluation technology started by
compiling public ground information and information owned by
OYO, using the numerical simulation technology by Geosphere
Environmental Technology Corporation.
Mr. Takeshima looks back to the project, “Using a detached house
as a model building and calculating the length of the heat exchanger
based on the thermal load of each region was difficult, but that made
the map more useful.” Other notable deliverables were an elaborate
3D geological structure model with a horizontal resolution of 50 m
in the city, and a multi-scale simulation model that takes into consid-
eration the change in ground surface, such as rain.
By exchanging information with other companies that create
potential maps, Mr. Takeshima was assured that the information
they provide was accurate. He confidently added, “Our technology
meets the needs of diverse users.”
Accurate Information for the Efficient Use of Geothermal Heat
Promote Geothermal Heat Utilization With a Map that Caters for Many, Including Designers
“Cascade type” can reuse heat from a single ground water heat source several times. It received the ETV logo in 2020, and won an award at 2020 Energy Conservation Grand Prize.
Reduced electric power for air-conditioners by 24% compared to borehole type.
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
OYO CorporationWater and Dsaster Engineering Business DivisionGeneral ManagerP.E.JpQuali�ed Person for Energy Management
Takeshima Junya
Moriya CorporationTechnical Laboratory Manager
Nakamura Mitsuaki
Provides a potential map with high accuracy and resolution
Calculates necessary lengths of heat exchangers for normal houses
Database that can be used by a wide range of users
▶
▶
▶
Utilization Tips
Mapped the length of heat exchangers that meet the target COP (5.5 with air-conditioner, 3.5 with heater).Businesses can predict appropriate digging depth in advance.
A Construction Company’s Undertake on Ground Heat Collection Ground Water Circulation Type Subterranean
Heat Collecting System
Evaluation Technology of Geothermal Heat Potential to Provide Various Information National Land Geothermal Heat Potential Database
Using Geosphere Fluid Modeling
Moriya CorporationSTORY.3 OYO CorporationSTORY.4
Utilization Tips
Suitable areas are around rivers with high permeability and alluvial fans
Even small to mid sized construction companies can use at a low cost
Sustainable system where underground water will be recharged
▶
▶
▶
Heat collection and radiation tank
Well
GSHP
Pump up
Sprinkle waterPenetration
Direction of flow
Direction of flowReturning
Returning
Indoor
Water sprinkling pipe
Heat collection and radiation pipe: high density polyethylene pipe
(circulating fluid of primary side: fresh water)
Secondary circulating fluid: Cold and hot water
(Propylene glycol)
Filled in by permeable material
(river gravel or river sand)
Analyzed region
River
Waters
Length of ground heat exchanger (m)
14 15Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
As a result , the team noticed that each layer has different concentra-
tion and tendency of components. Therefore, it was found that each
aquifer needs to be used independently for the introduction of the
GSHP system. When the GSHP system is used in various places in
the future, it is necessary to monitor whether it is used properly
without damaging the groundwater environment.
We devised a well that monitors and manages three water veins in
one well, reducing installation costs by 25%.
The research data is used for the ATES potential map that visualizes
the unit price of system installation for every 250 m mesh (drilling
cost per kW) on the Osaka City website. “We made the map as
accurate as possible for dissemination,” says Dr. Kitada. People
look forward to their technology that promotes GSHP system even
in urban areas with pumping restrictions.
Ground source heat pump system was considered in Osaka Plain,
since they had abundant ground water. The Aquifer Thermal Energy
Storage (ATES) system that can use a large amount of heat at once
prevents the heat island effect, for they can satisfy heat demand of
buildings in urban areas. However, there are pumping restrictions in
Osaka, to prevent land subsidence due to excessive use of ground-
water. In order to implement the ATES system, it was crucial to
understand the ground water condition and deregulate the law.
Therefore, the project evaluated the suitability of open loop using
ground water and its potential of the Osaka City area.
Dr. Kitada from Geo-Research Institute, who was in charge of the
ground water research described, “There is a series of sandy gravel
layers in Osaka Plain, and the aquifer is distributed from Dg1 to
Dg3, in order of shallowness. In this study, we focused on Dg1 to
Dg3 at a depth of 80-100 m. Although Dg2 and Dg3 have not been
studied much, we conducted a survey to understand the characteris-
tics of Dg1 to Dg3 in order to safely introduce the ATES system. As
a result of my research, I noticed that each layer has different
concentration and tendency of components.”
A Safe Ground Water Utilization Method That Does Not Affect the Environment
An Accurate Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Potential Map to Promote GSHP System
Mitsubishi Materials Techno has been researching, developing, and
working toward practical use of geothermal heat technology for a
long time. Mr. Ishikami explains, “We had business history using
three different installation methods of ground heat exchangers.”
However, dissemination in temperate regions, especially in urban
areas that mainly use for cooling, was slow despite the large market
size, due to cost effectiveness and space restrictions compared to
cold regions that need to be snow melting and heating .
Mr. Ishikami continued, “NEDO helped us reduce the expenses by
merging costs with construction fees of a earth retaining wall, which
is part of urban infrastructure.”
Akita University in charge of optimizing the simulation, NIPPON
PMAC specialized in heat pump, and a company specialized in
earth retaining wall construction joined the project. They attempted
to solve the bottlenecks in installation, scaling construction costs
and enhancing the efficiency of the ground heat exchanger (GHE)
by installing the GHE in the earth retaining wall during urban
infrastructure improvement, and developing a pump unit that does
not require a machine room.not require a machine room.
Mr. Ishikami commented on the project that academically proved an
idea developed on site, “Joining the program was very significant to
us, since we gained new perspectives through technical cooperation
among different industries.”
As a result, the construction method reduced installation cost by
29% and running cost by 30%. In addition, the field test achieved a
remarkable SCOP of over 10 nearly throughout the whole period.
Mr. Ishikami shared with us his next goal, “The project gave us
another construction method, expanding our business opportunities.
I hope this leads to a wider recognition of geothermal heat, as part
of infrastructure like smart cities.”
Motivating Urban Areas to Use GSHP system by Adding to Infrastructure Improvement Expenses
Achieved SCOP10, Realizing a High Energy Saving Performance and Low Cost
To encourage installation, end users can easily evaluate feasibility from the map. The map can be found in the Osaka City website.
Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co.Engineering Business HeadquartersSection Chief of Sales Division Tokyo BranchDoctor of Engineering
Ishikami Takashi
Geo-Research InstituteExecutive DirectorUnit Leader, Research and Development Unit LeaderGeology and Environment Geosciences GroupChief Researcher/Doctor of ScienceDisaster Prevention Expert
Kitada Naoko
Saved enough energy even for individually distributed air conditioning system that is less cost effective compared to temperate areas and central air conditioners.
Established a Base to Install Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System by Realizing Ground Water Observation and Management at a Low Cost
R&D for Underground Water Large Scale Heat Source
Utilization Using Open Loop System in Urban Areas
Popularizing Ground Source Heat Pump Systemin Temperate Areas by Reducing Costs
Urban Infrastructure Utilizing GSHP System
Geo-Research InstituteSTORY.5 Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co.STORY.6
Utilization Tips
Reduce costs by combining with infrastructure improvement in urban areas
SCOP 10, enough energy saving effect for warm areas
Pump unit that does not require a machine room
▶
▶
▶
1F
B1F
B2F
2F
3F
Building
Indoor unit
HOT
COOL
Heat pump
Civil engineering structure Civil engineering structure
Retaining wall type
Subway
Pile type
Borehole type
Horizontal type
Heat radiation
Underground plaza
Heat radiation
Cooling Heat pump (cooling)
Stratum/Ground water(heat storage)
1F
B1F
B2F
2F
3F
Building
Indoor unit
COLD
WARM
Heat pump
Retaining wall type
Subway
Pile type
Borehole type
Horizontal type
Heatcollection
Underground plaza
Heatcollection
Heating Heat pump(heating)
Stratum/Ground water(heat source)
Utilization Tips
Exceptional measures to use Dg2, Dg3 ground water
A map to show the depth and cost of drilling
Low cost monitoring after installation
▶
▶
▶
Summertime Wintertime
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
16 17Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
As a result , the team noticed that each layer has different concentra-
tion and tendency of components. Therefore, it was found that each
aquifer needs to be used independently for the introduction of the
GSHP system. When the GSHP system is used in various places in
the future, it is necessary to monitor whether it is used properly
without damaging the groundwater environment.
We devised a well that monitors and manages three water veins in
one well, reducing installation costs by 25%.
The research data is used for the ATES potential map that visualizes
the unit price of system installation for every 250 m mesh (drilling
cost per kW) on the Osaka City website. “We made the map as
accurate as possible for dissemination,” says Dr. Kitada. People
look forward to their technology that promotes GSHP system even
in urban areas with pumping restrictions.
Ground source heat pump system was considered in Osaka Plain,
since they had abundant ground water. The Aquifer Thermal Energy
Storage (ATES) system that can use a large amount of heat at once
prevents the heat island effect, for they can satisfy heat demand of
buildings in urban areas. However, there are pumping restrictions in
Osaka, to prevent land subsidence due to excessive use of ground-
water. In order to implement the ATES system, it was crucial to
understand the ground water condition and deregulate the law.
Therefore, the project evaluated the suitability of open loop using
ground water and its potential of the Osaka City area.
Dr. Kitada from Geo-Research Institute, who was in charge of the
ground water research described, “There is a series of sandy gravel
layers in Osaka Plain, and the aquifer is distributed from Dg1 to
Dg3, in order of shallowness. In this study, we focused on Dg1 to
Dg3 at a depth of 80-100 m. Although Dg2 and Dg3 have not been
studied much, we conducted a survey to understand the characteris-
tics of Dg1 to Dg3 in order to safely introduce the ATES system. As
a result of my research, I noticed that each layer has different
concentration and tendency of components.”
A Safe Ground Water Utilization Method That Does Not Affect the Environment
An Accurate Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Potential Map to Promote GSHP System
Mitsubishi Materials Techno has been researching, developing, and
working toward practical use of geothermal heat technology for a
long time. Mr. Ishikami explains, “We had business history using
three different installation methods of ground heat exchangers.”
However, dissemination in temperate regions, especially in urban
areas that mainly use for cooling, was slow despite the large market
size, due to cost effectiveness and space restrictions compared to
cold regions that need to be snow melting and heating .
Mr. Ishikami continued, “NEDO helped us reduce the expenses by
merging costs with construction fees of a earth retaining wall, which
is part of urban infrastructure.”
Akita University in charge of optimizing the simulation, NIPPON
PMAC specialized in heat pump, and a company specialized in
earth retaining wall construction joined the project. They attempted
to solve the bottlenecks in installation, scaling construction costs
and enhancing the efficiency of the ground heat exchanger (GHE)
by installing the GHE in the earth retaining wall during urban
infrastructure improvement, and developing a pump unit that does
not require a machine room.not require a machine room.
Mr. Ishikami commented on the project that academically proved an
idea developed on site, “Joining the program was very significant to
us, since we gained new perspectives through technical cooperation
among different industries.”
As a result, the construction method reduced installation cost by
29% and running cost by 30%. In addition, the field test achieved a
remarkable SCOP of over 10 nearly throughout the whole period.
Mr. Ishikami shared with us his next goal, “The project gave us
another construction method, expanding our business opportunities.
I hope this leads to a wider recognition of geothermal heat, as part
of infrastructure like smart cities.”
Motivating Urban Areas to Use GSHP system by Adding to Infrastructure Improvement Expenses
Achieved SCOP10, Realizing a High Energy Saving Performance and Low Cost
To encourage installation, end users can easily evaluate feasibility from the map. The map can be found in the Osaka City website.
Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co.Engineering Business HeadquartersSection Chief of Sales Division Tokyo BranchDoctor of Engineering
Ishikami Takashi
Geo-Research InstituteExecutive DirectorUnit Leader, Research and Development Unit LeaderGeology and Environment Geosciences GroupChief Researcher/Doctor of ScienceDisaster Prevention Expert
Kitada Naoko
Saved enough energy even for individually distributed air conditioning system that is less cost effective compared to temperate areas and central air conditioners.
Established a Base to Install Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage System by Realizing Ground Water Observation and Management at a Low Cost
R&D for Underground Water Large Scale Heat Source
Utilization Using Open Loop System in Urban Areas
Popularizing Ground Source Heat Pump Systemin Temperate Areas by Reducing Costs
Urban Infrastructure Utilizing GSHP System
Geo-Research InstituteSTORY.5 Mitsubishi Materials Techno Co.STORY.6
Utilization Tips
Reduce costs by combining with infrastructure improvement in urban areas
SCOP 10, enough energy saving effect for warm areas
Pump unit that does not require a machine room
▶
▶
▶
1F
B1F
B2F
2F
3F
Building
Indoor unit
HOT
COOL
Heat pump
Civil engineering structure Civil engineering structure
Retaining wall type
Subway
Pile type
Borehole type
Horizontal type
Heat radiation
Underground plaza
Heat radiation
Cooling Heat pump (cooling)
Stratum/Ground water(heat storage)
1F
B1F
B2F
2F
3F
Building
Indoor unit
COLD
WARM
Heat pump
Retaining wall type
Subway
Pile type
Borehole type
Horizontal type
Heatcollection
Underground plaza
Heatcollection
Heating Heat pump(heating)
Stratum/Ground water(heat source)
Utilization Tips
Exceptional measures to use Dg2, Dg3 ground water
A map to show the depth and cost of drilling
Low cost monitoring after installation
▶
▶
▶
Summertime Wintertime
R&D Story to Practical UseOperator Interview
16 17Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
The Paris Agreement and its goal to substantially reduce
greenhouse gas emission by 2050 activated the use of renewal heat,
especially in Europe. Europe set its goal to achieve a 20% share of
renewable energy by 2020, issuing The Renewable Energy
Directive* in 2009, defining not only solar and geothermal heat, but
also non-fossil fuel, air, and water heat as renewable energy. As a
result, European nations are accelerating its use of absorption
chillers and compression heat pumps that operate on renewable
energy. Also, The Renewable Energy Directive** that was
re-issued in 2018 that aims to achieve a 32% share of renewable
energy by 2030 mentioned about the utilization of heat that are
secondarily generated at factories but are discarded without being
used.
NEDO has been focusing on this heat that is generated when
converting primary energy and so but are thrown away unused,
generally referred to as waste heat, calling it “unused thermal
energy (unused heat).” Unused heat is 60-70% of primary energy.
Utilization of unused heat is a big problem in Japan, since we
import 90% of primary energy, which adds up to 16 trillion yen (as
of 2019), while we aim to eliminate the substantial emission of
greenhouse gas by 2050.
Therefore, NEDO promotes the research and development of
epoch-making unused heat utilization technologies, such as absorp-
tion chillers and compression heat pumps, to realize a thorough
energy conservation and low carbon society by utilizing unused heat
through “Research and Development Project on Innovative Thermal
Management Materials and Technologies” (2015-2022). This
project developed a “single utility type double lift absorption
refrigerator” that is twice as efficient as traditional absorption
chillers, productized as “DXS” and installed in buildings and
factories by Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning. Further-
more, this project also develops a high temperature heat pump
system that collects unused heat of 80-100 ℃ that is discharged
during industrial heating processes using a large amount of fossil-fu-
el-derived heat source, and supplies a 160-200℃ thermal liquid with
high efficiency (COP: over 3.5). The primary energy consumption
and CO₂ emission in Japan are expected to drop when these deriva-
tives widely spread with the use of renewable heat.
“DXS” - an absorption chiller that applied the developed technology
An ideal technology development support-
ed by the country raises the whole field
with its outcome. While renewable heat
plays a major role in realizing a carbon
neutral society, its scale of industry is not
very large. On the other hand, there were
20 NEDO projects related to this field
within five years since 2014, which is a big
number compared to the size of the field.
Some projects had multiple incorporated
themes, which means that a wide range of
issues were covered.
In order to actually improve the industrial
field of renewable energy through this
NEDO project that bore a lot of fruit, it is
essential to utilize the developed technolo-
gies in many areas. When the technology
is evaluated, we take the road to dissemi-
nation. Since renewable heat is not well
known, initial promotional activities,
including the publication of this brochure,
are very important.
For a long time, I have been taking part in
dissemination activities of geothermal
heat (ground source) , while I also help the
promotion of the current NEDO project to
reduce costs. Geo-Heat Promotion Associ-
ation of Japan and our member enterprises
participate in environment and energy
related exhibitions every year. We have a
relatively large booth with a NEDO
corner, where we post outcomes of their
technology development. In addition,
many companies in the field of geothermal
heat join the National Geo-Heat Forum
that started in 2019. There, the fruit of
technology development by NEDO are
productized, exhibited, and even has deals
concluded. The National Geo-Heat Forum
will continued to be held, so I hope people
use it as an opportunity to present the
result of their technology development.
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of JapanChairperson
Sasada Masakatsu
REPORT -From NEDO Energy Conservation Technology Department -
by the Use of Renewable Heat
Utilization of Non-Utilized Heat
*EJ = 10¹⁸ joulesSource: Created by NEDO based on the 2019 Energy Demand and Supply (prompt report) by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Ener
gy a
mou
nt (E
J*)
0
5
10
15
20
25
Primary energy supplyin Japan
After energy conversion (statistical final energy consumption)
Truly necessaryenergy amount
Renewable energy,water power, etc.
2.9EJ Unusedenergy
Loss (heat)
Loss (heat)
Power Heat,light, etc
Transportation3.0EJ
Public welfare3.9EJ
Industries6.0EJ
Natural gas.city gas4.3EJ
Coal4.9EJ
Petroleum7.1EJ
Conversion,transportation,and saving to
electricity, fuel, etc.
Re-conversion fromelectricity, fuel, etc.
30-40%
60-70%
Energy flow from primary energy supply to final consumption in Japan
MESSAGE
I Support the Dissemination of the Outcome
Subsidy Programs
Japanese national and local governments provide
subsidy for businesses that consider the use of renew-
able heat. Please take advantage of this, since there
are various programs including subsidy, loan, and tax
deduction. Associations in the following links will be
happy to hear from you.
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan
http://www.geohpaj.org[List of Subsidies] http://www.geohpaj.org/info/subsidy1
Outline of the project Brochure(Japanese only)
Book of Heat Pumps(Japanese only)
Japan Solar System Development Association (JSSDA)
https://www.ssda.or.jp[List of Subsidies]https://www.ssda.or.jp/service/assist/
Japan Woody Bioenergy Association
https://www.jwba.or.jp[List of Subsidies]https://www.jwba.or.jp/woody-biomass-guidebook/13/
* https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009L0028&from=EN** https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018L2001&from=EN
Each association searched for national and municipal subsidies and loans and compiled the information into the above list. Please conduct personal research for details.
18 19Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
The Paris Agreement and its goal to substantially reduce
greenhouse gas emission by 2050 activated the use of renewal heat,
especially in Europe. Europe set its goal to achieve a 20% share of
renewable energy by 2020, issuing The Renewable Energy
Directive* in 2009, defining not only solar and geothermal heat, but
also non-fossil fuel, air, and water heat as renewable energy. As a
result, European nations are accelerating its use of absorption
chillers and compression heat pumps that operate on renewable
energy. Also, The Renewable Energy Directive** that was
re-issued in 2018 that aims to achieve a 32% share of renewable
energy by 2030 mentioned about the utilization of heat that are
secondarily generated at factories but are discarded without being
used.
NEDO has been focusing on this heat that is generated when
converting primary energy and so but are thrown away unused,
generally referred to as waste heat, calling it “unused thermal
energy (unused heat).” Unused heat is 60-70% of primary energy.
Utilization of unused heat is a big problem in Japan, since we
import 90% of primary energy, which adds up to 16 trillion yen (as
of 2019), while we aim to eliminate the substantial emission of
greenhouse gas by 2050.
Therefore, NEDO promotes the research and development of
epoch-making unused heat utilization technologies, such as absorp-
tion chillers and compression heat pumps, to realize a thorough
energy conservation and low carbon society by utilizing unused heat
through “Research and Development Project on Innovative Thermal
Management Materials and Technologies” (2015-2022). This
project developed a “single utility type double lift absorption
refrigerator” that is twice as efficient as traditional absorption
chillers, productized as “DXS” and installed in buildings and
factories by Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning. Further-
more, this project also develops a high temperature heat pump
system that collects unused heat of 80-100 ℃ that is discharged
during industrial heating processes using a large amount of fossil-fu-
el-derived heat source, and supplies a 160-200℃ thermal liquid with
high efficiency (COP: over 3.5). The primary energy consumption
and CO₂ emission in Japan are expected to drop when these deriva-
tives widely spread with the use of renewable heat.
“DXS” - an absorption chiller that applied the developed technology
An ideal technology development support-
ed by the country raises the whole field
with its outcome. While renewable heat
plays a major role in realizing a carbon
neutral society, its scale of industry is not
very large. On the other hand, there were
20 NEDO projects related to this field
within five years since 2014, which is a big
number compared to the size of the field.
Some projects had multiple incorporated
themes, which means that a wide range of
issues were covered.
In order to actually improve the industrial
field of renewable energy through this
NEDO project that bore a lot of fruit, it is
essential to utilize the developed technolo-
gies in many areas. When the technology
is evaluated, we take the road to dissemi-
nation. Since renewable heat is not well
known, initial promotional activities,
including the publication of this brochure,
are very important.
For a long time, I have been taking part in
dissemination activities of geothermal
heat (ground source) , while I also help the
promotion of the current NEDO project to
reduce costs. Geo-Heat Promotion Associ-
ation of Japan and our member enterprises
participate in environment and energy
related exhibitions every year. We have a
relatively large booth with a NEDO
corner, where we post outcomes of their
technology development. In addition,
many companies in the field of geothermal
heat join the National Geo-Heat Forum
that started in 2019. There, the fruit of
technology development by NEDO are
productized, exhibited, and even has deals
concluded. The National Geo-Heat Forum
will continued to be held, so I hope people
use it as an opportunity to present the
result of their technology development.
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of JapanChairperson
Sasada Masakatsu
REPORT -From NEDO Energy Conservation Technology Department -
by the Use of Renewable Heat
Utilization of Non-Utilized Heat
*EJ = 10¹⁸ joulesSource: Created by NEDO based on the 2019 Energy Demand and Supply (prompt report) by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Ener
gy a
mou
nt (E
J*)
0
5
10
15
20
25
Primary energy supplyin Japan
After energy conversion (statistical final energy consumption)
Truly necessaryenergy amount
Renewable energy,water power, etc.
2.9EJ Unusedenergy
Loss (heat)
Loss (heat)
Power Heat,light, etc
Transportation3.0EJ
Public welfare3.9EJ
Industries6.0EJ
Natural gas.city gas4.3EJ
Coal4.9EJ
Petroleum7.1EJ
Conversion,transportation,and saving to
electricity, fuel, etc.
Re-conversion fromelectricity, fuel, etc.
30-40%
60-70%
Energy flow from primary energy supply to final consumption in Japan
MESSAGE
I Support the Dissemination of the Outcome
Subsidy Programs
Japanese national and local governments provide
subsidy for businesses that consider the use of renew-
able heat. Please take advantage of this, since there
are various programs including subsidy, loan, and tax
deduction. Associations in the following links will be
happy to hear from you.
NPO Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan
http://www.geohpaj.org[List of Subsidies] http://www.geohpaj.org/info/subsidy1
Outline of the project Brochure(Japanese only)
Book of Heat Pumps(Japanese only)
Japan Solar System Development Association (JSSDA)
https://www.ssda.or.jp[List of Subsidies]https://www.ssda.or.jp/service/assist/
Japan Woody Bioenergy Association
https://www.jwba.or.jp[List of Subsidies]https://www.jwba.or.jp/woody-biomass-guidebook/13/
* https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009L0028&from=EN** https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018L2001&from=EN
Each association searched for national and municipal subsidies and loans and compiled the information into the above list. Please conduct personal research for details.
18 19Renewable Heat and Unutilized Heat
September 2021
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
New Energy technology Department
MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower, 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-ku
Kawasaki City, Kanagawa 212-8554 Japan
Tel.+81-44-520-5183 Fax.+81-44-520-5276https://www.nedo.go.jp