Learn from Denmark, an advanced renewable energy country. The Future of Japan's Offshore Wind Power Generation (Part 1)
September 12, 2022
Denmark has been at the forefront of the world in green energy. Wind power is the main driver. In addition to the widespread use of onshore wind power, the world's first commercial offshore wind farm was built in 1991.
In 2020, over 46% of the country's total electricity consumption will come from wind power.
How did Denmark become a clean energy leader? And how will Japan's wind power generation industry develop in the future? Izumi Tanaka, the commercial affairs officer (in charge of environment and energy) at the Danish Embassy, and members of Relatech talked at the Danish Embassy in Shibuya, Tokyo.
hero shot
Denmark utilizes renewable energy technology not only domestically but also internationally
――Mr. Tanaka, what kind of work do you do as a commercial affairs officer at the Danish Embassy?
Tanaka: I work to promote the economic development of Denmark through exchanges with Japan. For example, he helps Danish companies to enter Japan and helps Danish companies already in Japan to expand their business. He also conducts policy dialogues on economic cooperation between Japan and Denmark. Each Commerce Secretary has their own area of responsibility, but my area of responsibility is energy and the environment. Another important task is to introduce Danish renewable energy technologies that are not yet popular in Japan. By introducing examples of Denmark to Japanese businesses interested in the environment and renewable energy, it will also lead to the creation of a foothold for Danish companies to enter the market.
Konagaya: In March of this year (2022), the "Japan-Denmark Energy Cooperation Memorandum" was signed.
Tanaka: Yes. It was concluded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate of the Kingdom of Denmark. From now on, Denmark will strengthen its cooperative relationship with Japan more than ever. In particular, we will share knowledge and technology of offshore wind power generation and support the development of wind power generation in Japan and the construction of an energy system that enables the large-scale introduction of renewable energy.
In fact, Denmark is the 19th country in Japan to have signed such a memorandum. Denmark is a country with a population of about 5.9 million people, so it doesn't emit much carbon dioxide. Therefore, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions alone cannot have a positive impact on the global environment. Denmark wants to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases by forming cooperative relationships with other countries and sharing the technologies and experiences it has cultivated domestically.
――How do you see the current Japanese energy industry?
Tanaka: In October 2020, the Japanese government announced the "2050 Carbon Neutral Declaration", and I think that people's awareness has changed significantly. Taking this opportunity, decarbonization efforts began in earnest. I feel that the number of people who are interested in energy has increased significantly as various companies have begun to take it seriously. Having been involved in this field for a long time, I am pleased with the current situation.
Konagaya: Many companies that hadn't been involved in wind power and energy before have entered the market, and the range of players has expanded. From the standpoint of being involved in this industry for a long time, I thought that the wind power industry was quite lively even before the declaration. However, seeing the excitement after the declaration, I realized that there was still a long way to go.
Tanaka: The number of members of the Japan Wind Power Association has increased significantly to about 500 companies after the declaration.
Misaki: In 2011, Denmark announced its "2050 Energy Strategy" and indicated that by 2050 it would completely move away from fossil fuels. How did Denmark change after the declaration? In thinking about the future of Japan, I would like to ask about the case of Denmark.
Tanaka: In the case of Denmark, even before the "2050 Energy Strategy" was issued, it served as the chair country of COP19 (the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 2009 and set ambitious targets. So I don't think it had as much of an impact as it did in Japan. However, I heard a company say that the government's long-term goal of 2050 has made it possible to invest in global warming countermeasures with peace of mind. I believe that by declaring goals for 2050 in Japan, we will be able to make similar investments in global warming countermeasures and enter the industry.
Danish Marine Spatial Planning
zone image
Source: Danmarks Havplan
--What are Japan's current challenges compared to Denmark?
Tanaka: Regarding offshore wind power, zoning (*) is not led by the national government, but by local governments. It's not that it's bad for local governments to take the lead, but compared to other countries, the scale of the project is inevitably smaller.
*Zoning
Comprehensively evaluate environmental aspects such as legal regulations and ecosystems, social aspects such as local understanding, and business feasibility such as construction environment, and divide into areas where environmental conservation should be prioritized, areas where wind power generation can be introduced, etc. thing.
Konagaya: The scale of the power plant planned off the coast of Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture is 780 MW, but there are many small power plants of 300 or 400 MW. On the other hand, looking at other countries, 1000 MW power plants are also appearing.
Tanaka: In Denmark, the government's energy agreement has decided to introduce 2 GW power plants in at least three locations between 2018 and 2020. It is based on the government-led marine space plan. I think that Japan will also consider a method of centralized management in the future, but I think that this is one of the issues at present. In Denmark, the voices of the local people regarding power plant candidates will be taken up at an early stage and incorporated into the marine space plan. After that, the government takes the lead in defining suitable sites.
A Danish district heating system that does not waste surplus electricity
――In 2020, combined wind and solar power generation in Denmark accounted for over 50% of total electricity consumption. What is the reason why you have been able to expand your market share in this energy source, where the amount of power generation fluctuates greatly?
Tanaka: A major reason is that it is a system that comprehensively operates in conjunction with other energy media such as heat, gas, and gasoline, rather than trying to balance with electricity alone. For example, in terms of heat, in Denmark a district heating system is used, in which hot water for hot water supply and heating is transported through insulated pipes. This system utilizes exhaust heat from factories and waste, heat from waste incinerators, etc., and supplies heat where and when it is needed, and can be used for home heating and hot water supply. If surplus electricity generated by wind power generation is converted into hot water, it can be used as energy without waste.
Misaki: With regard to surplus power, wind power generation can sometimes produce more power than it can supply, depending on the time of day and the strength of the wind. how do you handle that change? There seems to be a way to export power to neighboring countries, but in regions like Europe where wind power generation is thriving, the timing of surplus power generation overlaps. For example, if the wind is blowing in Denmark, it is also blowing in the north of Germany, so I think it would be quite difficult to export.
Tanaka: The biggest problem with wind power generation and solar power generation is the inability to adjust the output. Surplus electricity can also be stored in batteries, but district heating systems can take the place of batteries. Using electricity to generate hot water and storing it in a large insulated tank or pool-like thermal storage tank can save a lot of money. In a sense, this system plays the role of a battery by supplying the hot water as district heat when it is needed. Denmark has been working on district heat supply since 1903, and it is also an effective system as a control valve for renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, which fluctuates.
Konagaya: Certainly, if a system that comprehensively captures the energy system can spread throughout Japan, it will be easier to promote the introduction of renewable energy.
(Continued in Part 2)
* Three-way talk is taking enough distance. The mask is removed only when shooting.
(Composition: Izumi Kantake Editing: Hisae Sasaki)
