UTILITY3.0 FUTURE ENERGY SYSTEM LED THROUGH 5 MEGATRENDS

Abstract

Japan's electricity business now faces some trends and challenges that lead to inevitable and irreversible transformation. These are Deregulation, Decentralization, Decarbonization, Digitalization, and Depopulation, which can be called 5Ds. TEPCO calls the future image of the electricity business led through these 5Ds Utility 3.0, and in 2017 published its concept in the form of a book. The trigger of change is Decentralization, that is, exponential price destruction of DERs (Distributed Energy Resource) that do not emit CO2. These can bring the most energy abundant era in human history, but in order for the system to be sustainable, Digitalization and Re-powered Deregulation are necessary. Digitalization can also provide a solution to the need for convergence and productivity improvement of infrastructure services arising from Depopulation.