|
1. Subtask 1: Investigation and study for evaluating and reviewing R&D1.1 R&D GoalsThe role of Subtask1 in phase I (FY year 1993 to 1998) is to assess the results of Phase I studies and to prepare draft plans for Phase II study.The research plan for FY 1998, which ended March 1999, consists of an analysis of the current status of research and development activities on elemental technologies for the WE-NET system, total coordination of the whole project, total assessment of development results, and study on the plan of Phase II. In order to successfully carry out the research program, the advisory committee, consisting of subtask committee chairpersons and experts from various sectors concerned, was set up to examine the research plans and achievements of individual subtask groups assigned to the development of the total WE-NET system and its elemental technologies. Steps were also taken to find the current status of relevant research and development activities and to coordinate inter-subtask affairs through the leading researchers panel, consisting of the heads of subtask research units, has been established in the WE-NET Center of the Institute of Applied Energy (IAE) specially for this purpose. Researches for FY 1998 were carried out under these plans and arrangements for facilitating their implementation. Major results of these research efforts are summarized below: 1.2 Results in FY1998(1) Current Status of Research and Development Activities on Elemental TechnologiesAs part of Subtask 1, an attempt was made to find the current status of development activities at each subtask group through participation, as a rule, in all meetings of the subtask committees and their working groups. Arrangements were also made to gather the latest information on the progress of individual research plans at monthly meetings of the leading researchers panel and to summarize the findings into a concise table every month. Concerning about Research and Development Activities on foreign country, current information about hydrogen energy technology in the world were gathered by participating in the 12th World Hydrogen Energy Conference held in Buenos Aires in June, 1998 and 8th Canadian Hydrogen Conference held in Vancouver in February 1999.(2) Total Coordination of the WE-NET ProjectIn order to promote a most effective implementation for WE-NET research and development work, various arrangements were made through discussion at the leading researchers panel. Arrangements were made to revise the power generation costs in various WE-NET systems, to make a summarized report including self-evaluation for each research items on 6 year's research & development results, and to clarify how do we answer to an inquire through the Inter-net on the technical question about WE-NET.(3) Assessment of Development Results and Study of Phase I ResearchThe advisory committee noted above carried out total assessment of the results of development activities for 6 year's including this FY's.(4) Study on Phase II PlanIn order to promote an introduction of small scale and distributed utilization technology, studies were carried out on biomass to assess its potentiality as a hydrogen source, and on methanol in terms of methanol utilization technology and primary resources for methanol syntheses. In the study on Phase II plan, discussion meeting were organized between relevant people and organizations. Based on the results of above meetings, the basic idea of R&D target for each R&D items of the draft of phase II plan were prepared . The results of the study were submitted to NEDO.1.3 Research plan for the Phase IIBased on advises by the evaluation committee on the intermediate and pre-final evaluation, the total coordination function will be reinforced to promote a more effective implementation for WE-NET Phase II research and development works, and also we have to clarify a hydrogen introduction plan to our society by making up a hydrogen introduction strategy and realistic hydrogen introduction scenarios.
|
