This report summarizes the results of a verification project for expanding implementation of demand response and energy management in Hokkaido conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in FY 2024.
Hokkaido has an independent power grid from Honshu, and grid stabilization accompanying the expansion of renewable energy introduction has become an important issue. Through the utilization of Demand Response (DR) and energy management systems, adjusting supply-demand balance and achieving grid stabilization is expected.
This project conducted DR demonstration experiments considering Hokkaido's regional characteristics, effect verification of participating businesses, and extraction of institutional challenges. Analysis was conducted considering energy demand patterns specific to cold regions and characteristics of regional industries such as agriculture and tourism.
Verification results confirmed certain effects of DR in Hokkaido, but region-specific challenges were also revealed including communication infrastructure issues due to vast territory, equipment performance degradation in cold regions, and insufficient participation incentives.
For future expansion, proposals were made including institutional design considering regional characteristics, communication infrastructure development, support system construction for regional businesses, and promoting resident understanding.
The results of this project are expected to be utilized as important reference materials for Hokkaido's energy policy formulation and nationwide DR dissemination promotion.