Main research themes and expertise of the Institute
From a comprehensive engineering perspective, we conduct research and studies in a wide range of energy fields in collaboration with industry, academia, and government.
Activity Area
- Surveys and research related to basic energy strategies.etc.
- Research on domextic and international trends and evaluation of the future potential of energy technology
- Implementation and support of energy technology development
Research and Studies in a wide range of energy fields
- IAE conducts research across a broad range of technological fields from the perspective of integrated engineering.
Energy Perspectives
IAE conducts cross-sectoral and comprehensive analyses across a wide range of energy fields, including the global environment, renewables, thermal energy, electric power system, circular carbon, hydrogen, and nuclear power. It also examines the relationship between energy and society in terms of energy supply and demand, environmental impacts, resource availability, and economic factors.
Through these activities, IAE provides forward-looking energy perspectives for Japan and the world, serving as a bridge between academia, industry and government, and contributing to society as a whole.
Renewables, Thermal Energy, Electric Power System
Research Themes
- Research on solutions to issues related to the massive introduction of renewable energies
- Development, demonstration and study on energy storage technologies, such as thermal energy storage, and compressed air energy storage
- Business model development for local energy supply
- Convening Advanced Power Network Study Group
- Convening Society of Solar Thermal Energy and Energy Storage
Expertise and International Partners
- Thermal system analysis and evaluation
- Technical knowledge and know-how related to the planning, design and operation of electric power system
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IAE conducts research on a wide range of power system challenges arising from the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic and wind power. Our work also covers power generation technologies using biomass and waste, solar thermal power, and advanced power generation systems that incorporate thermal energy storage. In addition, IAE contributes technical proposals for Japan’s electricity system reform through discussions among experts and stakeholders in the Advanced Power Network Study Group and the Solar Thermal Energy and Energy Storage Society.
Hydrogen
Research Themes
- Hydrogen as an energy carrier: Analysis of hydrogen demand, Analysis of economic and environmental performance, etc.
- Hydrogen as a means of energy storage: Hydrogen utilization for effective use of renewable energy, Power to gas, etc.
- Individual technological fields: Water electrolysis, Hydrogen power generation, Hydrogen liquefaction, etc.
- Convening Zero-emission Hydrogen Vision Study Group
Expertise/relevant overseas research institutions
- Scenario analysis and formulation
- System cost evaluation from hydrogen production and utilization
- SINTEF (Foundation for Industrial and Technical Research in Norway)
- IMDEA (Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies)
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IAE has been actively engaged in research and development on hydrogen as an energy carrier for more than 30 years. Today, our work includes studies on CO₂-free energy system deployment scenarios, hydrogen supply chains, and forecasting future hydrogen demand. IAE also gathers and disseminates hydrogen-related information through its national and international network of hydrogen organizations.
Circular Carbon
Research Themes
- Evaluation of carbon capture, transport, utilization and storage
- Analysis of carbon recycling energy system based on carbon-free fuel from renewable energy
- Study on potential of innovative technologies for low-carbon society
- Roadmap for low-carbon and energy-efficient thermal power generation
- Research on decarbonization of oil refineries
- Research on waste-to-energy technology
- Convening the Society of Anthropogenic Carbon Cycle Technology
Expertise/relevant overseas research institutions
- Computational Fluid Dynamics; Process Design; C1 Chemistry
- CSIRO (Australia’s National Science Agency)
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To promote the advanced use of fossil fuels in pursuit of a low-carbon society, IAE conducts studies and evaluations of clean coal technologies (CCT), including Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems.. Our research also covers carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies that support a circular carbon approach, as well as CO₂-to-fuel conversion technologies powered by renewable energy. In addition, IAE convenes the Society of Anthropogenic Carbon Cycle Technology, providing a forum for diverse stakeholders to exchange views on circular carbon technologies.
Global Environment
Research Themes
- Analysis of energy supply-demand structures, CO2 reduction
- potential, energy system cost, etc.
- Mid- to Long-term energy perspectives
- Support for the development of international standards (CCS)
- Participation in IEA/EGRD
Expertise/relevant overseas research institutions
- Long-term and integrated analytical evaluation of energy systems using IEA models (GRAPE, TIMES-Japan)
- ・IEA, IIASA, International collaboration on integrated assessment models
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IAE conducts long-term, integrated assessments of global and national energy and environmental systems using its global GRAPE model and Japan’s TIMES-Japan model for CO₂ mitigation scenarios. The institute also researches key innovative technologies for climate change mitigation, evaluates their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and explores energy management strategies for realizing a low-carbon society.
Nuclear Energy
Research Themes
- Contribution to 1F accident analysis (Japan-US cooperation, OECD/NEA)
- Research on SMRs and next-generation reactors
- Support for IAEA safety standards, survey of safety systems in other countries
- Research on promoting measures, improving efficiency, and developing human resources related to decommissioning
- Convening Decommissioning Study Committee
Expertise/relevant overseas research institutions
- Thermal-hydraulic analysis (SAMPSON code, CFD)
- Safety regulatory systems (IAEA, etc.)
- Radioactivity inventory assessment
- IAEA, NEA, MIT, DOE Institutes
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IAE conducts research on the role of nuclear energy systems, domestic and international safety regulation frameworks, global R&D trends in innovative nuclear power technologies, and technical issues related to the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. IAE also develops elemental technologies to enhance nuclear plant safety and performs safety assessments using its in-house analysis code, SAMPSON.
Analysis tools
IAE is supported by “Supporting Member” companies from various industries such as electric & gas utilities, petroleum, electrical machinery, construction, automobiles, heavy industries, iron & steel, trade, and finance.