Even without the installation of solar panels, renewable energy can be utilized: i-grid starts providing "circular power."
ケネスエネルギー開発
i-Grid Solutions, a company based in Minato, Tokyo, that develops renewable energy businesses, announced on July 9 the launch of a new service called "Circulating Power," which shares electricity for companies that cannot install solar panels. The aim is to achieve both decarbonization and countermeasures against rising electricity costs simultaneously. The service supplies surplus renewable energy generated at solar power facilities operated by the company to facilities where it is difficult to install solar panels due to roof structures or location conditions. This allows companies to adopt renewable energy without the need for installation work, enabling them to start using the service in as little as two months. i-Grid has previously deployed on-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) at 1,226 facilities nationwide, leveraging this experience to circulate surplus electricity within the region. The electricity price is offered at a fixed rate, with options for price fixing for up to 20 years. This is expected to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in electricity prices due to external factors such as rising fuel costs and yen depreciation. According to a survey by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, electricity prices for businesses in the fiscal year 2023 have risen by about 1.3 times over the past decade. Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate is approximately 13%, which is low compared to major countries, making stable energy procurement a challenge.
