Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The Renewable Energy Institute (REI), a non-profit organization based in Tokyo, recently released a report outlining the challenges Europe and Japan face regarding their energy security. According to the report, the greatest challenge comes from unsustainable reliance on fossil fuel imports.

This dependence leaves economies in both regions vulnerable to international price fluctuations and disruptions in the supply chain–a weakness well illustrated by current events.

In the case of Europe, countries in the region relied heavily on Russia for imports of gas, coal, and oil. As a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine, these countries now face difficult decisions about abandoning their long-standing trade partner, and the disruption to the supply chain caused by the conflict has driven the prices up.

For Japan, too, fossil fuel import costs have reached record highs in recent months, doubling for liquified natural gas and tripling for coal.

To address such vulnerabilities and to improve energy security, the REI report recommends Europe and Japan to restructure their energy strategies around renewables, as the technology is abundant and cost-competitive in comparison to fossil fuels.

Many countries, particularly in Europe, have already begun shifting their focus to renewable energy. Germany has made the most impressive commitment, announcing in March that it intends to pursue a goal of 100% decarbonization by 2035.

Japan has made a similar promise to decarbonize, but, unlike Germany, has set its target year at 2050 instead of 2035, a goal REI criticizes as “terribly unambitious.”

According to the report, Japan’s current energy strategy is insufficient to reach even its unimpressive 2050 decarbonization target. REI is therefore urging the country to follow the lead of Europe and to adopt a more aggressive policy towards renewable energy.

In terms of energy security, it is important to note that transitioning to a renewable energy-based power sector involves its own challenges. Many renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, depend on environmental conditions such as weather. Consequently, the power these technologies generate is often inconsistent, producing either insufficient or excess energy at various times.

The report offers several solutions to this problem, ranging from stored energy in lithium-ion batteries to creating interconnected networks between regions in order to share excess energy when needed. This solution is already well established in Europe.

Another concern regarding renewable energy is that many of the materials and manufacturers required to build components for the associated technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, are concentrated in specific countries, including China, and this could become another dimension of supply chain vulnerability.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s plan to mandate the installation of solar panels in all newly-built houses and other “small- to medium-sized” buildings in the city is facing criticism that the policy remains in an immature state.

The initiative, still in the deliberation phase, would see the city’s fifty largest housing providers be required to install solar panels on all new construction projects with a floor area of less than 2,000 square meters.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike argues that this policy will form an integral part of the metropolis’ target of halving emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. She hopes the installations will go some way toward mitigating residential emissions, which form 30% of the city’s total.

Officials also suggest the merits of the plan extend beyond environmental issues. Detached houses with two or more people could expect to see power bill savings of ¥92,400 (US$675) per year.

However, critics argue that the policy is being forced through without thinking through all of its implications.

One problem these critics cite is the financial burden on ordinary citizens. The base cost of installing a new solar panel is estimated to be around ¥1 million (US$7,300). Observers fear these costs will be passed on to home buyers.

For its part, the metropolitan government asserts that various cost-saving measures are under consideration, and this will alleviate such concerns.

Additionally, while solar panels undoubtedly provide green energy, some critics believe that the recycling of panels after their thirty years of service has not been given due attention by the authorities.

So far, the Tokyo government has suggested that centers for “solar power generation equipment” recycling will be established, but it has not provided further detail.

At any event, the metropolitan government has been keen to stress the “flexible” nature of its policy. Governor Koike, in a speech before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, stated that “individuals can choose whether or not to install the equipment,” suggesting that there may be exceptions to the mandate under some circumstances.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Toyota and its smart city project, Woven City, have released a portable hydrogen cartridge product intended to be a key source of energy for residents.

The cartridge is one of many new technologies to be tested at the developing community located at the base of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Much like the city itself, the portable hydrogen cartridge is aimed at improving the quality, diversity, and effectiveness of clean energy that can be used by individuals, companies, and governments alike.

Weighing in at just 5 kilograms and with a size just 40 centimeters in length and 18 centimeters in diameter, the cartridge is described as a source of “convenient energy that makes it possible to bring hydrogen to where people live, work, and play without the use of pipes.”

Through a joint agreement between Toyota and Eneos Corporation, a Japanese petroleum company, carbon-free hydrogen refueling stations will be built and provided nearby the smart city.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Although Japanese airlines have been experimenting with sustainable aviation fuel for over a decade, the country’s uptake of the fuel has remained sluggish.

Sustainable aviation fuel is most commonly made from feedstocks, such as cooking oil or waste oils derived from animals and plants. Waste from households and businesses are also used, and include materials like plastic, cardboard, and food scraps. In contrast, traditional jet fuel is usually made from kerosene and gasoline, which are fossil-fuel based.

Beyond Petroleum (known commonly as BP) reports that using sustainable aviation fuel can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%. However, this largely depends on effective government and corporate support.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) recommended that Japanese airlines reduce their carbon emissions by replacing 10% of jet fuel consumed with sustainable fuel by 2030.

Of course, this means that even if Japanese airlines meet this goal, 90% of jet fuel will still be carbon-emissions heavy.

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), between 2012 and 2019, carbon emissions from the country’s aircraft transportation sector amounted to roughly 10 million metric tons annually. If MLIT’s target is reached by 2030, and this trend continues, that means the Japanese aircraft industry would still be producing 9 million metric tons of carbon each year.

One of the most prominent concerns in the sustainable aviation fuel market is cost of production. According to Simple Flying, an aviation news service, “In 2020, the overall cost of jet fuel was [US$0.5] per liter. Meanwhile, the cost of [sustainable aviation fuel] was [US$1.1] per liter.” This means that sustainable aviation fuel costs more than double the price of traditional jet fuel.

AirInsight Group, a commercial aviation news and analysis firm, has proposed that in order for Japan’s airline industry to become net zero, 2.5 billion liters of sustainable aviation fuel will be needed in 2050. In contrast, the fuel accounts for just 0.03% of current demand.

Japan Airlines (JAL) recently agreed, as part of its membership in the Oneworld Alliance, to purchase over 20 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel annually from 2027-2032. The fuel will be purchased from US-based biofuel company Gevo.

While the production lifecycle of sustainable aviation fuel may emit less carbon compared to traditional jet fuel, some emissions will remain.

ICF, a global advisory and digital services provider, warns that–in addition to its own emissions during flight–sustainable aviation fuel may also involve emissions during transportation, if the vehicles used and their fuel sources are not carbon neutral.

Furthermore, there is concern that if demand for plant-based feedstocks grows, agricultural problems and deforestation rates could also increase.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Vestas Japan has announced that the first offshore turbine has been installed at the Akita Noshiro Offshore Wind Project, Japan’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm.

The plan calls for a total of thirty-three 4.2MW Vestas wind turbines, totaling 140MW of capacity, to be installed off the coast of Akita Prefecture. One group will be near Akita Port and the other near Noshiro Port.

This offshore wind farm is set to power the annual consumption of nearly 130,000 homes once it becomes fully operational near the end of this year.

The developer, Akita Offshore Wind Corporation, is a consortium of thirteen Japanese firms led by the Marubeni Corporation.

The electricity generated by the farm will be supplied to the Tohoku Electric Power Company, which holds a twenty-year power purchase agreement.

The completion of this project is expected to mark a significant milestone in Japan’s transition toward renewable energy.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Carbon offsetting is hailed by many as a potential answer to much of the world’s greenhouse gas emission concerns, but many believe it is utilized only as a means to not engage in more serious climate action.

Carbon offsetting refers to either a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on carbon dioxide, or storing the gas in a way that compensates for such emissions.

The buying and selling of “carbon credits” to fund offset projects make up the carbon offset market, with one credit equaling one ton of carbon dioxide. These credits function as permits and allow companies to emit as much carbon dioxide as the credits are worth and then claim that their operations are “carbon neutral.”

Companies often use these credits, which can be bought and sold, to theoretically cancel out their greenhouse gas emissions and to comply with carbon caps.

China has the largest offsets market in the world and is comprised of over 4.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions–an impressive feat considering that the country’s emissions trading system (commonly referred to as ETS) was introduced only a year ago. By comparison, the European Union has the second-largest emissions trading system in the world, launched in 2005, but is less than half that of China’s system.

Last month, Canada launched its own national offsets market.

In addition to funding initiatives such as reforestation programs, carbon offsetting supports additional avenues for investment into renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. Renewable energy is an increasingly common form of carbon offsetting and essentially “cancels out” a proportion of the carbon dioxide emitted by the buyer.

Australian environmental markets investor and developer GreenCollar further describes carbon offsets as “an effective way for businesses to quantify environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments.”

However, the carbon offset market has also been widely criticized and likened to a form of greenwashing.

Earth.org, a think tank headquartered in Hong Kong, warns that investing in carbon offsetting instead of taking steps to reduce in-house emissions undermines a genuine effort to achieve strong decarbonization results.

In fact, the concept of being able to buy and trade carbon credits itself has been called into question. Some–as reported by Means & Matters, an online publication of the sustainable investment-focused Bank of the West–object to the idea that large corporations can essentially “buy their way out.” Wealthy companies are able to avoid taking more direct and immediate actions towards cutting their greenhouse gas emissions while still claiming to be working towards zero net emissions targets and describing themselves as “carbon neutral.”

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Enpower Greentech, which is developing next-generation batteries for drones and electric vehicles, announced that its Series A fundraising has now reached US$35 million.

The latest round of financial contributions were led by Sequoia China, Dayone Capital, GAC Capital, BR Capital, Tianqi Capital, and Niuli Venture.

These funds will be used for solid-state battery commercialization, including production line set up, product enhancement, and market expansion.

Collaborating with the SoftBank Group and other firms, Enpower Greentech possesses development and manufacturing centers in Japan, China, and the United States.

The firm claims to be at the leading edge of commercializing lithium metal anode-based batteries and sulfide-electrolyte-based all-solid-state batteries.

Near the end of this year, Enpower plans to begin commercial shipments of its lithium metal batteries to drone manufacturers, enhancing their performance.

The Japan branch–Enpower Japan–was established near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo in February 2018, and is closely affiliated with the Tokyo Institute of Technology as well as SoftBank.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — In the month since forces loyal to Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada took over by force the major casino resort Okada Manila from Tokyo-based Universal Entertainment Corporation, the stalemate has continued.

The Okada group remains in physical control of the US$3.3 billion casino resort, but Universal Entertainment’s local subsidiary Tiger Resort, Leisure & Entertainment, Inc. (TRLEI) claims to have the legitimate board of directors.

Lawsuits are underway to resolve the various disputes—the main leadership question before the Supreme Court of the Philippines as well as the claims associated with the violence employed by the Okada group when they suddenly seized the casino resort on May 31.

For its part, TRLEI claimed success a couple weeks ago in convincing three Philippine banks to freeze the Okada Manila accounts, depriving the Okada group of funds it needs and, as they put it, “casting doubt on its operational stability after its cage money runs dry.”

The Okada group responded that such actions have “no effect at all on Okada Manila’s commitment to its partners and valued patrons.”

This entire drama in the Philippines has taken place at the same time as Universal Entertainment was in the midst of applying to have the Okada Manila resort listed on the US Nasdaq stock exchange through a merger with the special purpose acquisition company 26 Capital Acquisition Corporation.

Universal Entertainment continues to project confidence that its ownership rights to the Okada Manila casino resort will ultimately be recognized and that the Okada group will be ejected from the premises, but that is ultimately a matter for decision by the Southeast Asian nation’s Supreme Court.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — After much pressure from environmental organizations and international criticism, the Japanese government finally promised on May 27 to eliminate direct public financing for fossil fuel plants abroad, especially coal, but this does not mean the nation is now near the forefront of tackling the climate crisis.

Japan’s promise came in the context of a G7 meeting of climate, energy, and environment ministers who met in Berlin to discuss the issues.

The government followed up with practical action on June 22 with an announcement that it was pulling financing for coal-fired Indramayu plant in Indonesia and the Matarbari plant in Bangladesh.

Environmentalists point out, however, that no target date for domestic coal phaseouts was provided by the G7 ministers, including Japan’s representatives, casting doubt on the seriousness of their commitment.

Under the current Strategic Energy Plan, published in October 2021, Japan intends to utilize coal for 19% of its domestic energy at the end of this decade.

The G7 ministers also pledged to “predominantly” decarbonize their power sectors by 2035–a crucial means to maintain Paris Agreement goals, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Nevertheless, as pointed out in a recent briefing for journalists by Dave Jones, Global Programme Lead at Ember, a global energy think tank, even the term “predominantly” provides nations with substantial wiggle room to avoid precise commitments.

While the IEA views the term “predominantly” as indicating the use of about 98% clean energy, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has stated that its own interpretation of the term means anything more than 50%.

This suggests that in spite of the G7 ministers’ show of unity, Japan’s climate pledges remain far behind that of other advanced economies.

According to the current national plans, Japan intends to use fossil fuels for about 42% of its energy mix in 2030.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — eJet Aerospace executives are confident that their technology can dominate the eVTOL industry, but they are still searching for deep-pocketed investors to make their vision a reality. If the funds are forthcoming, they would welcome making Japan their home base.

Saul Tarazona, the company’s co-founder and CEO, told Akihabara News in an exclusive interview that the technology is in place, and only financing is holding eJet back.

“The scientific work is done; there’s no more research to be done,” he asserts.

Tarazona’s pitch is that the patented SMAPAD electric cold jet propulsion system, developed by Raymond François Aubourg, is “a master scientific discovery” utilizing fluid dynamics, which allows the creation of eVTOLs that can massively outperform the competition.

“We can fly at 250 kilometers per hour at cruising speed in a range of 562 kilometers,” he claims.

Based on this technology, designs for two potential gyrocopter models have been drawn up–the two-seater GJet Æón and the four-seater GJet Kóan.

Tarazona emphasizes the low production costs, safety, and the anticipated high performance of these aircraft.

While the co-founders are currently found in Miami, Florida, and Bogota, Colombia, they are willing to build a new base wherever the financing becomes available, and that includes Japan.

Explaining the potential benefits to the host country, Tarazona states, “we would create jobs; we would create a new infrastructure; and we would create a new transportation system that is realistic.”

He also sees benefits for the transition to a green economy.

In its pre-seed round, eJet spent US$2.7 million on design and engineering, and now Tarazona and his colleagues are trying to raise US$10 million in the seed round to build the full-size propulsion system in order to further test and prove it to independent observers.

They are eager to move forward with their plans for production and licensing.

Should things fall into place and investors come forward, Tarazona makes clear that eJet does not intend to become merely a producer of hardware, but rather the operator of an air taxi service which might ultimately have a global reach.

The GJet Kóan could also be configured to carry cargo.

“The highest priority for us is to protect the technology,” he explains.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The biofuel ethanol has taken the United States by subsidized storm, and now it seems Japan too wishes to embrace this mainly corn-sourced fuel by committing to the US government to upgrade its ethanol demand.

When US President Joe Biden visited Japan last month, the joint statement included Tokyo’s promise to double ethanol imports from the United States by 2030, utilizing it as fuel for ground and air transportation.

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel personally celebrated this development, declaring on Twitter: “More American corn, less Russian oil, and better for the environment—a win all around. Another notch in the belt for tighter US-Japan relations.”

Also, the US Grains Council, a trade association that promotes exports, publicly thanked Emanuel for his efforts to communicate the biofuel’s benefits to the Japanese government, and noted that Japan already ranked “as the fourth-largest export market for US coarse grains, co-products, ethanol, and meat products.”

Ethanol is being promoted by the US Grains Council and others as a way for countries to meet carbon-reduction goals and still offer consumers an efficient fuel. The US Renewable Fuel Standard program argues that “a certain volume of renewable fuel [can] replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel.”

While US farmers and trade groups have celebrated biofuel promotion, concerns for energy security and achieving carbon neutrality are also key considerations.

On the other hand–similar to the wood pellet biofuels that the Japanese government has been keen on–ethanol runs into farming and land-use issues. Production of ethanol itself creates a considerable amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

Tokyo believes, however, that imports of ethanol from the United States might be useful in meeting its national carbon emissions reduction targets.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — While the voyage of the Suiso Frontier, bringing liquefied hydrogen from the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia, to Kobe, Japan, has been hailed as a breakthrough for the Australia-Japan Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) project–and thus a new chapter for the emergence of clean energy–the environmental soundness of the achievement is less impressive under closer examination.

Both countries’ governments have touted the US$350 million HESC project as a “game changer” and “an environmentally conscious solution to producing clean hydrogen.”

According to the Tokyo-based Renewable Energy Institute, if Japan is to reach zero emissions in 2050, its greenhouse gas emissions must decline by 95% by 2045.

One of the Japanese government’s strategies to realize this ambition has been to partner with Australia in the extraction, liquefication, and export of hydrogen.

Unfortunately, the Australian government is well-known for its dependence on its established coal and gas industries, and its hydrogen strategy reflects this reality.

There is not yet any indication that there will be a fundamental policy change under the new Labor administration.

During the HESC pilot phase, almost 100% of the Australian hydrogen supplied to Japan via the Suiso Frontier has been produced from brown coal and biomass fuel.

Brown coal is one of the most emissions-heavy gasification methods for hydrogen production. For every ton of hydrogen produced, 10-12 tons of carbon dioxide is emitted. This means that it is one of the most polluting forms of energy.

Brown coal is employed despite “clean hydrogen” being touted as a key focus of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

There is not a single state in Australia which does not engage in coal mining, and in 2019 alone, coal was responsible for over 164 million tons of Australia’s greenhouse emissions–almost 31% of the national total.

However, despite the detrimental effects coal has on the environment, Australia’s Office of the Chief Economist reported that over a hundred new or expansionary fossil fuel projects were launched last year alone.

According to Market Forces, an Australian campaign group dedicated to assisting people in avoiding environmentally destructive spending, “just four of the projects… would enable the release of 9.8 billion [tons] of CO2 [emissions], enough to cancel out any gains made under Australia’s emissions reduction target (2021-2030) 109 times over.”

Such facts leave Canberra open to accusations that its hydrogen strategy is little more than a cover for the continued promotion and use of fossil fuels, thus constituting a clear-cut instance of greenwashing.

An alternative, environmentally-friendly approach would be a massive expansion of so-called “green hydrogen.” Green hydrogen is created using renewable resources, such as solar and wind power, in a process known as electrolysis. It is a minimal-to-zero carbon emissions technique.

Both Japan and Australia cite concern for the environment as a primary motive for the HESC project.

Markets and Markets, a research firm, has predicted that hydrogen generation will account for US$200 billion globally within three years.

Furthermore, according to the International Energy Agency, hydrogen demand is “expected to expand 44% by 2030.”

By comparison, the global green hydrogen market is predicted to reach barely US$10 billion by 2028, according to the projections of Allied Market Research. This would account for around only 5% of the total market.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — With the rapidly expanding need for renewable energy storage, the role of lithium-ion batteries has become vital. However, the manufacturing and widespread use of lithium-ion batteries has proven to be less environmentally friendly and economically efficient than once believed.

In Chile, the second-largest lithium-producing country in the world, opposition is growing to the negative environmental and social impacts which lithium mines have imposed upon local communities and habitats.

The process of mining lithium in the salt flats of Salar de Atacama, Chile, requires the pumping of large amounts of salty ground water from nearby lakes. This process greatly damages local habitats that are home to a variety of species, including flamingos, whose population is shrinking in the areas around the mines.

Furthermore, the copious amounts of water required for lithium mining has also led to water shortages in indigenous Chilean communities.

With a more progressive government coming into office, restrictions on the mining sector are expected to tighten, and this may in turn reduce the amounts of lithium exported to the world market.

This could become a major problem as Electric Vehicles (EVs) proliferate. According to the International Energy Agency, the number of EVs on the road in 2021 was triple that of 2018, reaching 16.5 million, and projections anticipate exponential growth through this decade and beyond.

Another metal required for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, cobalt, is facing similar challenges.

Around 70% of the world’s cobalt is supplied by the Democratic Republic of Congo through poorly-regulated artisanal and small-scale mining operations that carry significant human costs, such as health risks and dangerous working conditions.

Furthermore, waste from Congolese cobalt mines pollutes local waterways which supply drinking water to surrounding communities.

Environmental concerns do not end at the damage caused by mineral extraction. Once the finite life of a lithium-ion battery expires, disposal poses a separate environmental threat, as leaking fluids from the batteries contaminate landfills and create fire hazards.

As a result of stronger environmental oversight and shortages of key raw materials, the prices of lithium-ion batteries has been rising, and this may continue in future years.

Consequently, the race is on to find solutions.

One possibility, backed by one of the Nobel Prize-winning inventors of lithium-ion batteries, Akira Yoshino, is to focus on recycling.

Currently, the global recycling rate for lithium-ion batteries is less than 5%, with Australia achieving a measly rate of only 2-3% in spite of being an advanced industrial economy.

While recycling may not be a comprehensive solution to the shortages–that may have to wait for technological advancement–it may go a long way toward relieving the immediate crisis.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Biomass has become an increasingly popular alternative energy source, but the sustainability of wood pellets, which fuel many of these plants, has been called into question.

In the one-year period between 2020 and 2021, Japan’s wood pellet imports rose by 50% to 3 million metric tons, according to the USDA Global Agricultural Information Network.

Wood pellet biofuels are made by compressing wood fiber or lumber byproducts into smaller pellets. The appeal of this particular biofuel lay in its compactness, dryness, and portability relative to other types of biomass fuel. The pellets are used in boilers or stoves for heating as well as in power plants as a coal alternative.

Japan generated over 3GW of electricity in 2019 using wood pellets, a figure that is rapidly growing, in part because they are promoted by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry subsidies.

The problem, however, is that larger-scale use of wood pellets may create new problems for sustainability, and it doesn’t make Japan less dependent on foreign markets for its energy supplies.

More than 90% of wood pellets come from overseas and, according to the nonprofit Biomass Industry Society Network, there is no prospect that Japan’s own woodlands can themselves meet the growing demand.

The overwhelming majority of the wood pellets are imported from Vietnam and Canada.

Unfortunately, the creation of wood pellets causes deforestation. The elimination of such crucial carbon sinks throws into question the climate-friendly nature of wood pellet-fueled biomass energy.

Palm kernel shells, which is another type of biofuel commonly used in Japan, has a similar tendency to cause deforestation.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — As Japan seeks to expand its onshore wind power capacity in pursuit of carbon neutrality, high installation costs continue to stand in the way.

Installation costs fall mainly into three categories: turbine costs; foundations and site preparation; and electrical work and transmission infrastructure costs.

Of the three categories, turbines account for the largest proportion of the expense.

Even though the average cost of turbines has fallen over the past several years, Japan costs remain higher than the international average.

According to the Renewable Energy Institute (REI), average turbine costs per kilowatt in Japan have fallen by over 15% between 2016 and 2021. However, this is still about 13% more expensive than the international average.

There is no single explanation for Japan’s higher turbine costs, but REI suggests that one salient factor is Japan’s preferred class of wind turbine–developers tend to select a more expensive class of turbines which can better withstand strong winds, even in the face of major typhoons.

The rising cost of ready-mix concrete, needed for the pile foundations used in lowland wind farms, is another factor. In Osaka, for example, prices have increased by over 50% since 2013.

Prior to the introduction of the Renewable Energy Special Measures Act in 2016, wind power producers were required to bear additional costs when connecting to the grid.

If the transmission and distribution system operator determined that there was no available capacity, the producer was charged for grid upgrade costs.

Some operators, in an effort to offset the power production infrequency due to wind variability, also used to require producers to install battery storage, further driving up the costs.

In the wake of the 2016 legislation, such battery storage costs have been eliminated.

Nevertheless, according to figures provided by the International Renewable Energy Agency, installation costs in Japan are nearly 73% more expensive than the international average.

Despite this cost differential, REI asserts that “onshore wind power is a promising energy source that will be indispensable to the firm achievement of carbon neutrality in Japan.”

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Japan’s offshore wind power development is suddenly threatened from an unexpected direction–the demands of the Defense Ministry, which says that the massive turbines may interfere with its missile defense radar.

It has been revealed that the Defense Ministry has singled out about ten offshore zones earmarked for development which it says could pose a national security risk.

Self-Defense Forces radar emits radio waves that bounce off objects, with the returning signal allowing objects to be located. The Defense Ministry believes that offshore turbines may interfere with its radar, making it more difficult to identify incoming planes or missiles.

The Defense Ministry says that this has already proven to be the case with some onshore wind turbines located on mountaintops and along the Sea of Japan coastline.

In March, the US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that offshore turbines can interfere with ships’ navigational radar systems

Offshore wind, however, is seen as a crucial element to boost renewable energy and to achieve the nation’s decarbonization goals. Since the enabling legislation was passed in 2019, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have been moving quickly to prepare promising offshore zones, most of which happen to be along the Sea of Japan coastline due to the extreme depth of ocean waters along Japan’s Pacific coastline.

Until now, offshore wind was not seen to be within the purview of the Defense Ministry.

It now seems likely the Defense Ministry’s objections will have a serious negative impact on Japan’s offshore wind power development. Some developer plans may be revised, and some offshore zones suitable for wind turbines may be dropped from consideration entirely.

This is doubly the case because the ruling party is filled with defense hawks who will automatically prioritize Defense Ministry concerns over renewable energy plans.

Indeed, the rightwing commentator Kotoe Hashimoto has already suggested that there may be a conspiracy involved: “Are the enemies promoting renewable energy in order to carry out the bombing of main island Japan?”

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With major televised events and significant sponsorships from global brands, it’s safe to say that esports has hit a new level of popularity. Insider Intelligence estimates there are 29.6 million monthly viewers in the US in 2022. That’s up 11.5% from last year, which gives us a clear picture of growth.

Many people have only briefly heard of esports or are just coming to appreciate the growing phenomenon. If you fit into that category, it can be challenging to get to grips with what the fuss is about. However, with a closer look, it becomes easier to see why esports are so popular.

Read on to get a better understanding of what esports is and what it includes. Plus, find out what has caused esport’s recent growth and its increase in popularity.

What Does eSports Mean?

eSports comes from the combination of the words electronic and sports. It refers to competitive video gaming, which usually involves two individuals or teams going head-to-head to win. Like other sports, it commonly has a spectator element.

The format usually involves local or global tournaments with professional or amateur teams competing to win a cash prize. The style of the game will affect how the tournament operates. It could be competing against other players in specific game modes, direct battles, or aiming to complete a map first.

Several types of games are part of the competitive world of esports. There are some sports, such as FIFA or NBA 2K. Other games usually fall into the category of FPS (first-person shooter), MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena), and RTS (real-time strategy). Titles include Street Fighter, CS:GO, Dota 2, and Hearthstone.

Delivers Similar Benefits to Other Sports

If you’re confused about the popularity of esports, it’s useful to note that they have a similar appeal to other sports. They’re fast-paced and exciting for players and spectators. For players to perform well in tournaments, they need to have in-depth knowledge of the game.

The level of professionalism and skill can easily be compared to other professional athletes.

Witnessing that as a spectator holds the same level of appreciation and awe. Just like any other sporting event, you can gather your friends for a livestream or get tickets for an event where the stadium atmosphere is electric.

Online Entertainment

eSports is part of a growing movement of online entertainment. It’s one of many sources of fun that are now becoming top priorities for people looking to fill their leisure time. Alongside playing at an online casino, esports and esports betting are delivering thrills and diverse ways to pass the time.

Like casinos, esports popularity has grown in recent years thanks to advances in technology. Game quality has hit a new peak, meaning that the quality of the action, controls, and graphics makes for a smoother performance. The quality of the video and the ability to stream it has also played a role in making it possible to share tournaments with spectators worldwide.

Online Community

One of the critical reasons esports is so popular is that it didn’t just take something that already existed and turn it into something new. It has added to the appeal of sports and competition by combining a social aspect.

Many people are now heading online to socialize with friends or to meet new people. While social media was at the forefront of this trend, there has been an increasing appetite for people to find independent forums where they can meet likeminded people.

eSports provide the opportunity for online community engagement as there are servers and chat opportunities for most streams and events. Spectators don’t only get to share their appreciation together; they also get to feel more connected to the players to a much higher level than football fans, for example.

Accessible and Inclusive

Although you might need a fairly expensive kit to play, an internet connection, a computer, or a game console can be found in many households across the world. That’s all anyone needs to start playing. It’s not necessary to find a sports field, a team to join, or sports equipment.

To become an esports player, you might need a team and a coach one day, but it’s possible to practice alone at any hour. Teams can be mixed of men, women, those with disabilities and all nationalities, meaning that none of those factors will necessarily be a barrier to participation.

eSports Is Here to Stay

As an exciting and accessible sport, it’s clear that the popularity of esports isn’t a short-lived trend. It brings people together in an engaging way with diverse formats, and more and more people are paying attention.

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Akihabara News (Tokyo) — A newly-constructed 54MW solar farm has been connected to the grid in Sano city, Tochigi Prefecture.

The solar farm was built on the former location of a golf course, and was developed by Juwi Shizen Energy, which is joint venture founded in 2013 between the German project developer Juwi and the Japanese renewables firm Shizen Energy.

At 54MW, this is the largest-ever solar project for the joint venture.

With the completion of the Sano plant, Juwi Shizen Energy has installed a total capacity of 479MW in Japan.

Moreover, there are two larger projects underway–a 100MW solar farm in Fukushima Prefecture and a 121MW facility in Hyogo Prefecture.

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