2023 Volume 79 Issue 27 Article ID: 23-27038
This study simulated energy systems that could achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 for Kushiro City, Hokkaido, Japan, using an energy system model which can take into account the use of synthetic fuels and regional characteristics. The results show that a scenario with no emission reduction targets could reduce CO2 emissions by 61% from 2015 levels, and even a scenario without synthetic fuels could reduce emissions by 80% from 2015 levels through aggressive mitigation measures. Key mitigation measures in the mitigation scenario included the introduction of solar photovoltaics in the residential sector, the substitution to LP gas in the industrial sector, and the promotion of electrification in the transportation sector. The study also showed that carbon neutrality in 2050 could be achieved by using synthetic fuels to meet the energy demand that should be supplied by liquid and gaseous fuels, i.e., space heating in the cold region and industrial heat. Policies that encourage the cost reduction of synthetic fuels are key to decarbonizing cold regions and industrial clusters, where the demand for liquid and gaseous fuels may remain.
