Comprehensive Guide on Legal Trends and Financing for Battery Storage Projects

On June 18, 2026, the Japan Planning Institute (JPI) will host a seminar focused on the evolving landscape of legal affairs, regulations, and financing practices concerning battery storage projects. The event will feature Tsutomu Kobayashi, a partner and attorney from Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, who is well-regarded in the field and recognized internationally by publications such as Chambers.

Seminar Overview

This seminar aims to provide valuable insights into the three main types of battery business models: merchant, auction, and touring. Attendees will learn how recent regulatory changes in areas such as demand adjustment markets and grid constraints specifically impact the viability of battery projects.

Date and Time: June 18, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM (UTC+9)

Target Audience:

- Business development teams in power and renewable energy companies
- Management and investment departments of firms contemplating battery storage integration
- Financial institutions involved in infrastructure and energy sectors
- Legal and contractual departments engaged in project finance

Key Takeaways

Participants will gain essential knowledge, including:

- The revenue structure and selection criteria for the three battery business types
- Specific impacts of regulatory changes on business viability
- Insights into risk sharing and contractual design for project financing

Importance of Battery Projects

The rapid increase of variable renewable energy sources like solar power has brought about challenges such as output regulation. In response, the development and integration of battery storage projects are progressing swiftly. While the government is implementing measures to promote the adoption of these technologies, there have also been regulatory changes that may pose challenges, including restrictions in the demand adjustment market and reductions in allocated capacity for grid management.

In this seminar, participants will delve into the intricacies of regulations related to battery project development. The speaker will clarify various aspects of legalities surrounding battery projects and examine business models for each category, including merchant operations, long-term carbon-neutral power auctions, and touring schemes. Challenges related to project finance formation will also be addressed, making this seminar invaluable for anyone looking to enter the battery storage market.

Seminar Agenda

1. Overview of Battery Projects
2. Regulations Related to Battery Projects
- Grid-connected batteries
- Legal standing under the Electric Utility Industry Law
- Temporary connection measures for grid-connected batteries
- Renewable energy co-located batteries
- Retrofitting batteries to over-capacity solar projects
- Charging grid electricity into renewable energy co-located batteries
- Other pertinent regulations
- Generation-side charges
- Special measures for transmission fees
3. Business Models for Battery Projects
- Wholesale electricity market, capacity market, and demand adjustment market
- Impacts of reduced capacity in the demand adjustment market
- Aggregation contracts
- Long-term carbon-neutral power auctions
- Touring schemes
4. Challenges in Project Finance Formation
5. Q&A Session
6. Networking and Exchange Meeting

This seminar provides a rare opportunity for in-depth dialogue and direct interaction with the esteemed speaker, along with networking among participants across various industries. It offers keen insights into practical information that can spark new collaboration opportunities.

Registration and Fees

Participants may choose from the following formats:

- In-person attendance (archive access not included)
- Live online attendance (archive access not included)
- Archive access after the seminar

Regular registration fees are:

- Individual: ¥37,850 (tax included)
- Additional attendees from the same organization: ¥32,850 (tax included)

Local government representatives can register at a reduced rate of ¥11,000 per person (in-person or live online only). An archival access option is available for an additional ¥18,500 for in-person and live online participants.

For more information and to register, visit: JPI Seminar Registration

About JPI

Established over half a century ago, the Japan Planning Institute continues to serve as a bridge among government, industry, and academia, facilitating the dissemination of valuable information and insights for senior management involved in national policies and national projects. Through limited attendees seminars, JPI aims to foster the creation and innovation of knowledge relevant to the needs of business leaders.