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Cool Earth-Innovative Energy Technology Program &Technology Deveropment Roadmap (（PDF(1.98MB), Power Point(5.84MB))

CONTENTS

Mission and Goal Research Program Overview Organization Funding Leaderships Contact

■Mission and Goal

The Institute of Applied Energy (IAE) is an independent and non-profit research institute on energy issues, founded in April 1978 under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Its mission and goal are to contribute to technological development on energy issues which can in turn pave the way for the solutions to the need for a reliable, affordable and environmentally sound source of energy, which will provide the vital force to serve Japan’s economy and society.

Within this mission and goal, IAE’ s research activities are: 　　
・ to monitor, collect and process the latest information on energy issues both in Japan and abroad
・ to review and analyze emerging energy issues from a technological viewpoint
・ to provide government and industry with insights on and solutions to current and future energy issues
・ to evaluate potential energy systems and related research and development activities
・ to enhance collaborative R&D programs among government, industry and academia

The results of these research activities are made available to government and industry in the following ways to help them produce solutions:
・ Publications 　　quarterly IAE Review annual New Energy Technology Review
・ Conferences 　　Monthly Seminar
　　　　　　　　　　　 annual IAE Symposium
・ Internet　　　　　 Web site at URL:http://www.iae.or.jp/

■Research Program Overview 　　

The IAE staff of 60 researchers and support staff members focus primarily on the following four major energy areas, and investigate the potential impact of new and cutting-edge technologies on how energy is produced, distributed and used. The researchers have substantial experience in industry and government, with engineering and science backgrounds.

IAE organizes research teams which represent specialists and experts from universities, industry and government research organizations for respective research projects, in order to identify fresh approaches to and develop of solutions appropriate for the radically transformed technological world.

Nuclear Energy　　

Nuclear energy currently supplies one-third of Japan’s electric power, and continues its dominant role as a reliable, competitive and environmentally sound source energy. Its most significant feature is the maximizing of energy output through the recycling of uranium and plutonium. The IAE researchers investigate and evaluate:
･ Advanced power reactor concepts including Fast Breeder Reactors, High Temperature Reactors
･ Nuclear fuel cycle systems and plutonium utilization in thermal power reactors
･ Optimization of high level radioactive waste management and related social issues,
and the coordination of METI’s innovative nuclear energy technology development program.

Fossil Fuels　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Fossil fuels - oil, natural gas and coal - provide more than 80% of all the energy consumed in Japan, and virtually all the fuels for transportation. Innovative technologies can make fossil fuels more efficient and environmentally cleaner. The IAE researchers seek to develop advanced technologies for:
･ More efficient combustion of coal and heavy oil, including coal gasification
･ Improved method of analysis to control air pollutants emitted from vehicles
･ Emission-free production of methanol from coal by coal gasification, and solar heat
･ Investigation of methane hydrate, which is a potential resource located off Japan’s shores
･ Hydrogen production from coke oven gas

Renewable Energy and Electric Power System

Renewable energy sources play an important role in the future picture of energy. Hydrogen and fuel cells can lead to a future emission-free society. Distributed electric sources, powered by renewables and hydrogen, raise concerns about power fluctuations and instability on the transmission grids. The IAE researchers focus on:
･ Future concepts of production and distribution systems of hydrogen
･ Advanced fuel cell power generation systems
･ Stabilization of electric power networks linked with distributed power sources
･ Advanced waste to energy and related heat recovery and storage systems
･ Ｅfficient conversion system technologies of biomass.

Global Environmental Issue　　

Global environment issue is becoming one of the important agenda of 21st century. Japan is aiming to reduce carbon emissions pursuant to the commitment to 1998 Kyoto Protocol. We survey scientific, political and social situation on global environment, assess potential technologies of reducing greenhouse gases by using the integrated assessment model for long-term energy system sustainability, and evaluate Japanese long-term strategies of R&D activities on energy and environment.

Cross-cutting Area

IAE prepares and upgrades its database on energy technologies covering the above areas, and develops methods to evaluate potential energy technologies.

■Organization　
　　　　

■Funding　

Funding comes from endowment income, contributions from corporations, and research contracts with government, governmental organizations and corporations, including the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry （METI）, Ministry of Education and Science (MEXT), Ministry of the Environment (MOE), New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

■Leaderships

Executive Officers

President, Mamoru Akiyama
Vice President, Toru Namiki
Executive Managing Director, Eiji Yamada
Managing Director, Norikazu Sato
Director, Takeshi Takakura
Director, Kazuaki Matsui

Directors of Energy Programs

Director, Research Programs & Planning Dept., Eiji Yamada
Director, Fossil Fuels Program and Global Environment Program, Masaki Onozaki
Director, Nuclear Energy Program, Shigenobu Hirusawa
Director, Renewables and Electricity Program, Hiroshi Hasuike
Director, Hydrogen Program, Kou Sakata
Director, Energy Technology Information Center, Tomoji Hikita

Secretariat

Director, Administration Dept., Norikazu Sato
Director, Contract Dept., Shinji Harada
Director, Account Dept., Motohiko Yamamoto

■Contact

The Institute of Applied Energy
Shimbashi SY Bldg.,　1-14-2 Nishi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan
Phone : +81-3-3508-8894 Fax : +81-3-3501-1735
URL:http://www.iae.or.jp/