#Japan #Sakai #Sakai City #Keio University #I-Grid

Cooperation Agreement for Energy Traceability

I-Grid Solutions, based in Minato, Tokyo, has announced a significant collaboration with Keio University and Sakai City to establish an agreement focused on energy traceability. The partnership aims to facilitate the matching of renewable energy generated by solar power installations within the Sakai area, a city recognized as a pioneer in decarbonization. This initiative is set to launch a demonstrative project starting in June, highlighting the commitment to advancing renewable energy tracking and usage.

Background and Purpose

In today's landscape, verifying the origin of renewable energy typically relies on the combination of electricity and non-fossil certificates, such as FIT certificates. However, there is an emerging goal within the international community called the "24/7 Carbon Free Energy (CFE) Compact," aiming to ensure that all consumed electricity is sourced directly from carbon-free resources at all times of the day, 365 days a year. This shift increases the demand for accurate tracking of renewable energy sources and usage in terms of time, location, and quantity, but current systems do not sufficiently provide such traceability. The collaboration will conduct a pilot program designed to ensure that electricity generation and consumption are aligned every 30 minutes, thereby visualizing the environmental value associated with electricity production.

Overview of the Demonstration Project

Title: Matching and Visualizing Power Supply and Non-Fossil Certificates

Objective: The project will associate power supply points with nearby generation stations, thereby emphasizing the local utilization of electricity and the intrinsic value linked to distance and time in the context of non-fossil certificates.

Involved Parties:

• - Sakai City: Provides cooperation for on-site verification.
• - Keio University: Serves as the technical advisory lead.
• - I-Grid: Develops the matching system.

Timeline: June 3, 2026, to March 31, 2027 (planned)

Expanding Renewable Energy in the Region

I-Grid has developed over 1,422 rooftop solar projects nationwide under its PPA model, efficiently utilizing excess power generated on-site by supplying it to other facilities within the same region. This cycle of surplus power utilization supports the company's solar PPA services, optimizing the management of excess power generated across locations.

In November 2025, I-Grid joined the United Nations-led 24/7 CFE Compact, aligning its operations with EnergyTag's recommended traceability standards and securing a blockchain-powered system for electricity matching. This initiative aims to facilitate a localized energy system utilizing excess renewable energy, thus contributing to the decarbonization efforts in the Sakai area.

The collaboration with Sakai City enhances the "Sakai Energy Production and Consumption Project," which promotes local renewable energy utilization. I-Grid acts as a renewable energy aggregator and retailer, leveraging its R.E.A.L. platform and Keio University's traceability technologies in this practical demonstration. Through this pilot project, the initiative seeks to promote further adoption of renewable energy and propel the shift towards a decarbonized society.

About I-Grid Solutions

I-Grid Solutions is a leading platformer in the fusion of physical and digital assets related to distributed renewables, advocating for energy transition across Japan. The company maximizes the renewable energy self-sufficiency rates of businesses and municipalities, and operates an energy trading business that circulates excess renewables. To date, I-Grid has developed approximately 360 MW of solar power capacity across 1,422 facilities as of April 2026. Living by the slogan "Faster than Change," I-Grid aims to create a sustainable world powered by green energy.

Additional Information

• - Corporate Headquarters: 2-4-7, Toranomon, Minato Ward, Tokyo, 105-0001, Japan
• - President: Tomokazu Akita
• - Incorporated: February 2004
• - Website: I-Grid Corporate Site
• - Media Outlet: Gri Lab