#Japan #Renewable Energy #Yuhofu Town #Eneoku

Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative in Yuhofu Town

In March 2024, a significant agreement was formed between Yuhofu Town, located in Akita Prefecture, and Enerbank Co., Ltd., represented by co-founders Jo Sato and Kenichi Muranaka. This partnership aims to promote the local production and consumption of renewable energy, along with revitalizing the community. The collaboration also involves the innovative electricity reverse auction service, "Eneoku," operated by Enerbank, and "e.CYCLE," developed by Machimirai Production Co., led by Ei Aoyama.

The project will officially kick off in January 2025, aiming to not only enhance the use of green energy generated from wind power plants in Yuhofu but also establish urban distribution networks between Yuhofu and major metropolitan areas, including Yokohama, which has a strategic cooperation agreement with the town.

In December 2024, Global Infrastructure Management Inc., co-led by President Hiroshi Tsuchida, will join the initiative as the first renewable energy provider. The Yokuhou Wind Power Plant, one of their key operations, will start contributing to the local electricity supply.

This project marks a transformative step toward sustainable energy. It will provide electricity to eight public facilities owned by Yuhofu Town and a local sake brewery, Yamamoto Sake Brewery, which is well-known for its high-quality sake produced since 1901. The partnership is expected to reduce costs significantly—approximately 5% for the town office and 20% for the brewery—while facilitating a complete shift to locally sourced renewable energy.

Overview of Yuhofu Wind Power Plant

The Yuhofu Wind Power Plant is strategically located along the coastline in the Minehama area of Akita Prefecture. Featuring seven GE made wind turbines, with a capacity of 3.2 MW each, the plant achieves a total output of 19.95 MW, sufficient to power about 12,500 households annually since its commencement in February 2019. A specific wholesale supply agreement between Yuhofu Wind Development Co. and Machimirai Production ensures the provision of renewable energy to designated users.

Insights into "e.CYCLE"

"e.CYCLE" is a pioneering model aimed at fostering local consumption and distribution of renewable energy by purchasing electricity from energy producers committed to community contributions. This unique operation allows participating electricity retail companies to sell power competitively while ensuring fair prices for consumers through the Eneoku auction service.

Funds generated from this initiative will contribute to local revitalization efforts, benefiting both Yuhofu and the wind power producers based on the FIT Plus Alpha scheme.

The Eneoku Reverse Auction System

Under the Eneoku system, electricity retail companies can competitively bid to supply customers, seeing competing bids throughout the auction period. This approach helps businesses secure renewable energy at appropriate prices, despite fluctuations in the market and rising electricity costs.

Future Developments

With ongoing efforts to support renewable energy legislation and participation from various energy producers, the project aims to enhance the overall infrastructure for local energy production and consumption. This community-centered approach is set to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem.

Yuhofu Town Mayor Mitsuya Horiuchi expressed optimism about the initiative, highlighting the town's favorable wind conditions and the potential positive impact of this project on local energy resources. The collaboration is expected to help regain the value of previously underutilized wind energy resources, assisting in the long-term revitalization of the region.

The president of Global Infrastructure Management, Hiroshi Tsuchida, is also enthusiastic about the project, emphasizing their commitment to sustainable infrastructure development in Japan and ongoing support for local communities.

Machimirai Production’s Ei Aoyama articulated the organization’s goals to not only achieve profitability but also promote ecological sustainability in line with a growing global trend towards community-based energy solutions.

Enerbank also aligned its mission with local needs by offering critical digital solutions to streamline renewable energy integration and further promote the efficient consumption of clean power.

In summary, Yuhofu Town's initiative encapsulates a holistic approach to embracing renewable energy, fostering community engagement, and driving local economic growth through sustainable practices. The stage is set for a new era of energy self-sufficiency in Yuhofu, with shared benefits for all stakeholders involved.