Patent Acquisition for "Point 24/7," a Predictive and Optimal Control Technology for 24/7 Carbon-Free Power Supply

JERA Cross Corporation, a subsidiary of JERA Corporation, is pleased to announce that it has obtained a patent (Patent No. 7607106, hereinafter referred to as "this patent") for predictive and optimal control technology aimed at achieving 24/7 carbon-free electricity *1.

In recent years, the use of renewable energy has been advancing as part of efforts to address climate change. Internationally, the necessity of achieving "24/7 Carbon-Free Energy" has been advocated, promoting efforts to supply carbon-free electricity 24 hours a day, year-round. Embracing this action, our company has been actively driving initiatives toward realizing 24/7 carbon-free electricity, including the commercial use of Japan's first zero-emission thermal power generation fueled exclusively by hydrogen. (Press Release in November 29th, 2024)

The greatest challenge in achieving and delivering 24/7 carbon-free electricity lies in the inherent variability of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which are heavily influenced by weather conditions and time of day. To ensure a stable and reliable power supply, it is crucial to efficiently and seamlessly complement the shortfall in renewable energy with dispatchable power sources and other solutions.

The patent recently developed and obtained by our company represents an innovative solution to this challenge. It introduces a new power supply system that combines electricity demand forecasting, renewable energy generation prediction, and optimal control of dispatchable power sources. This technology analyzes the power usage patterns of target consumers and employs machine learning to forecast future electricity demand. By doing so, it maximizes the utilization of renewable energy and efficiently controls and optimizes dispatchable power sources to meet the required amount of carbon-free electricity.

This patent, referred to as "Point 24/7," represents a predictive and optimization control technology that enables the supply of 24/7 carbon-free electricity at a more granular level than conventional power supply points. By leveraging this system, it supports the stable supply of 24/7 carbon-free electricity, complementing the variability of renewable energy sources. Additionally, it enables environmentally friendly power supply even during nighttime or rainy conditions, contributing to the development of a sustainable decarbonized society.

Through this initiative, we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to global energy challenges, actively contributing to the realization of a sustainable global environment and society.
Our President and CEO, Takao Miki, commented, "The acquisition of this patent is a groundbreaking achievement. By effectively utilizing this technology, our customers can achieve gradual decarbonization in an economically feasible manner while connecting its environmental value to the products and services they provide. Moving forward, we aim to leverage this technology to strongly advance JERA Cross's efforts toward decarbonization."

In addition, Kengo Ichikura, our Director and Chief Product Officer (CPO), and Shimpei Ohsugi, our Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who are the lead inventors of this patent, commented, "We are delighted to have obtained this patent. It represents a crucial and forward-looking technology, especially in regions like Japan where renewable energy options are limited during nighttime or rainy conditions. This solution enables even customers with restricted access to renewable energy to adopt 24/7 carbon-free electricity, making it an important advancement for both society and our customers. We hope this technology will see widespread adoption as 24/7 carbon-free electricity gradually expands in Japan.

※1　The term "24/7 (twenty-four seven) Carbon-Free Electricity" refers to electricity that does not emit CO2 throughout 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or 365 days a year. In accordance with the "Guidelines on Retail Sales of Electricity" established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, this electricity supply is defined as comprising 100% CO2 zero-emission power sources (meaning renewable energy generation facilities and hydrogen power generation facilities etc.) within its energy mix and includes environmental value supported by the use of non-fossil certificates. It should be noted, however, that this definition does not imply zero CO2 emissions across the entire lifecycle, including fuel production and transportation.


【About JERA Cross】
JERA Cross supports corporate clients in designing future visions and formulating strategies for their Green Transformation (GX). The company provides comprehensive support, ranging from the development and supply of renewable energy essential for the decarbonization of electricity to stable 24/7 carbon-free power delivery. JERA Cross is committed to contributing to solving corporate challenges, driving business transformation, and reducing CO2 emissions by ensuring the stable supply of electricity without CO2 emissions, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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