the japan times
Summary
Amid a steady drumbeat of calls for the world’s top polluters to cut emissions and fast, Japan is among the many nations challenged with balancing energy needs and environmental goals.
Against that backdrop, the nation’s largest power provider announced last fall that it would divert surplus energy from renewables to crypto operations, puzzling some industry experts. And in a country where the share of electricity generated from renewables will become increasingly important as it strives to become carbon neutral by 2050, the move also highlighted the challenge of storing surplus energy.
An alternative solution for power companies dealing with excess energy generated by renewables: thermal energy storage.
The basic idea is to heat a medium — often water — when there is excess energy available, then preserving that heat and using it when demand rises. The reverse also applies for cooling.
“Thermal energy (heat) can be stored for months rather than hours or days,” Tajima says.
Tajima notes that Denmark has a substantial district heating network, with over 60% of households nationwide and 90% in Copenhagen being connected to it. This vast network allows Denmark to effectively manage variable renewable energy production.
While Japan has been developing district heating networks, mostly in densely populated cities, their overall role remains limited, according to a 2021 report by the International Energy Agency. Further, the IEA notes, natural gas dominates district heating networks.
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