The 1st RD20 Conference was on the current trends and future vision concerning the R&D in the field of clean energy technology in the G20 member nations.
1. Experts and leaders from industry, the financial community and academia met in Tokyo for three international conferences: TCFD Summit, ICEF and RD20. The purpose was to discuss the specific and collaborative initiatives needed to realize the concept of a “virtuous cycle of the environment and growth”. Leaders of research institutes from G20 members met at the first RD20 conference.
2. Points raised during the conference were as follows:
(1) We discussed the importance of innovation in energy and the environment to resolve climate change issues.
(2) We confirmed the latest status of each institute’s activities and future direction in clean energy R&D. Topics under discussion include innovative technologies such as hydrogen utilization and CCUS.
3. Challenges common to the research of each institute are as follows:
(1) There is urgent need for early enhancement of R&D for large-scale implementation of renewable energy.For this, there is a need to establish a system that is economical, environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and meets safety standards for supplying electric, thermal and transportation energy derived from renewable energy.
(2) Challenges differ according to country or sector. However, in terms of electricity, the development of a flexible energy management system that includes storage, is need to cope with fluctuation in supply and demand. For the industrial and transportation sectors, promotion of renewable energy implementation through electrification and hydrogen utilization, etc. is needed.
4. As an outcome of the first RD20 conference, participants shared the same awareness regarding the following:
(1) The role played by R&D institutions from G20 members, their mutual collaborations, and international standardization is crucial.For this, there is a need to establish a system that is economical, environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and meets safety standards for supplying electric, thermal and transportation energy derived from renewable energy.
(2) It is important to develop specific joint R&D projects among RD20 members by strengthening existing collaborations and building alliances.
(3) “RD20 Now and Future,” a collection of abstracts of today’s presentations by the participating institutions, could be a potential roadmap for future international collaborations.
(4) Collaboration with ICEF is beneficial.
5. This conference shows we are heading in a similar direction, even though the stages of R&D vary from country to country. I would like to emphasize that we were able to share this awareness among G20 researchers.
6. The successful outcome and momentum of the first RD20 conference will be carried further, and the second RD20 will be held in Japan in October, 2020.