Tohoku University Toshihiko Nakata Decarbonization Energy Design & Analysis Theory and Practice

Driving decarbonization, the theory and practice of energy design

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

A comfortable, well-insulated home, an emission-free car, and a drastic reduction in utility bills.
When we go carbon neutral, many things improve and our lives become richer. We will move from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and climate change will gently converge.
So, after all, carbon neutrality is good for you and good for the planet.

Many countries, regions, and companies around the world are now shifting to "decarbonization. Japan is no exception. About 30 years ago, when climate change countermeasures were just getting underway, Japan was one of the first countries to engage in research on energy design, including smart cities and industrial ecology.

The goal is to build a system for a decarbonized and sustainable energy society that is both environmentally and economically compatible, as well as technologically viable. Myp wide-ranging research, which begins with research and analysis and extends to design, development, and presentation (recommendations to society), requires a high level of perspective and a broad viewpoint.

A favorite word is "serendipity. It refers to "an unintentional, unexpected, and fortuitous event or experience," but it also encompasses the meaning of "the ability to use one's own wisdom to look at what others do not notice and discover something useful. It also encompasses the meaning of "the ability to look at what others are not aware of and discover what is beneficial through one's own wisdom. Nearly 30 years ago, a mentor of mine inspired me to "find my own island," and I have been carving out new waters away from the mainstream. His approach to energy issues is based on the concept of "energy efficiency," or the idea of making life richer and more comfortable (maximizing value) by eliminating waste and using energy efficiently, and is more positive than energy saving. This is the current trend toward decarbonization.

Putting theory into practice. Supporting the construction of sustainable energy systems for new community development in disaster-affected areas. We guide discussions on today's issues by listening to the opinions of local residents, while including the background of the local community. Sharing a framework for the future is a difficult task.

In the future, countries and organizations that have achieved the creation of truly green systems will play a leading role. Thinking globally and acting within communities, we hope to attract the feasibility of a carbon-neutral world.

An essential function of a decarbonized drive is energy data analysis, or an energy car navigation system that combines high spatial and temporal resolution. Higher spatial resolution will facilitate the recharging and discharging of electric vehicles and inter-regional energy exchange (peer-to-peer P2P). If minute-by-minute energy data with high temporal resolution is added to this, it will be possible to design systems that rationally and optimally combine fluctuating renewable energy sources and consumers. Successful data analysis, system design, and application will be the key players in driving the next generation of energy projects and a carbon-neutral society.

Engage with local communities and implement the theory. The "islands" we have discovered are now connected to a clear direction of decarbonization and are aiming at the horizon of a new energy system.

Reprinted in part from
https://www.most.tohoku.ac.jp/crosslink/nakata/ (C) 2020 Michiyo Takahashi.

Profile

Toshihiko Nakata

Researcher, educator, social entrepreneur
Emphasis on collaboration across business, government, education, and community
Specializes in data driven designing for a zero-carbon society.

【Selected awards】
The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers - JSME Medal for Distinguished Engineers, the Japan Institute of Energy - Academic Award and Best Paper Awards, Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan - Technical Division Contribution Award, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (IGTI) Paper Award, etc.

Courses

Heat Transfer (Tohoku University, Dept. Mechanical Engineering)
Carbon Neutral Fundamentals (Tohoku University, Dept. Management Science & Technology)
Carbon Neutral Applications (Tohoku University, Dept. Management Science & Technology)
Seminars in Social System Design (Tohoku University, Dept. Management Science & Technology)
Introduction to Management Science and Technology (Tohoku University, Dept. Management Science & Technology)
Regional Future Studies (Tohoku Institute of Technology)
Advanced Mechanical Engineering (Nihon University)
Creating a sustainable energy society (The Open University of Japan)

Selected affliation

2023- Miyako City Decarbonized Community Development Council
2021- Zero Carbon Vision Expert Meeting, chairman, Okuma Town
2016- Member of energy statistics committee, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
2016- Director, Centre for Environmental Creation, Fukushima
2015- Chair, Environmental Council, Fukushima city
2013-2021　Reconstruction Agency, Member of the Reconstruction Promotion Committee

Education

1993 Dr. Eng. Tohoku University
1983-1985 M. Eng. at Tohoku University
1979-1983 B. Eng. At Tohoku University

Professional career

2006- Tohoku University, Professor
1993-2006 Tohoku University, Associate Professor
1997-1998 Fulbright Scholar, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA.
1985-1993 Central research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Researcher

research map

Treatise

Gas turbine combustor

Reaction of fuel NOx formation for gas turbine conditions
Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 1998

Books

Advances in Steam Turbines for Modern Power Plants, 5 - Steam turbine life cycle cost evaluations and comparison with other power systems, 2nd Edition
Elsevier，2022

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中田俊彦

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

Toshihiko Nakata

Courses

Selected affliation

Education

Professional career

Energy economic models

Renewable energy

Automobile

District heating system

Regional energy

Biomass energy

Developing countries

Gas turbine combustor

Books