Energy

Despite potential disruptions such as regional conflicts, the momentum of green transformation remains unstoppable. Although many technological innovations are currently emerging, only a few will eventually become mainstream. The key factors for mainstream adoption are "skilled plant personnel," "the benefits of DX," and "de facto standardization." The deadline for outlining a path to achieve these three objectives is fast approaching.

Frontline Topics

GX (Green Transformation)

In order to achieve carbon neutrality (CN) by 2050, progress is being made in creating new environmental value through decarbonization and transitioning to a decarbonized society.

Dealing with regional conflicts

It is becoming increasingly difficult to incorporate the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East into energy supply planning. There is a possibility that regional conflicts will break out in the future, which will greatly affect how the energy portfolio is constructed and the outlook for energy prices.

Shortage of human resources for new energy plants

As new energy/CCUS-related plants are being built one after another in preparation for the 2040-50 CN, a significant shortage of personnel related to plant construction is expected. The initial decline in the number of employed people and the increasing difficulty of making them a part of the workforce due to aging are spurring the labor shortage.

Rapid development of new energy technologies

The technologies for producing and transporting new energy sources such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels are steadily developing toward lower costs. Technologies for using these energies, such as co-firing and mono-firing ammonia and hydrogen, and hydrogen reduction steelmaking, are also advancing.

Issues

Energy Portfolio Management

How to draw up a mid- to long-term energy transition implementation plan. And how to manage the energy portfolio during the transition process while mixing old and new fuels.

Optimizing supply and demand and the value chain

In the short term, how to use advanced technologies to formulate and execute economical plans while considering complex demand and supply constraints. In the medium term, how to build a foundation to support value chains that are becoming more complex due to the spread of new energy sources.

Securing talent sources and DX

Thinking outside the box of conventional suppliers, which sources and what types of human resources should be combined and developed to overcome the labor shortage. How to achieve DX that significantly reduces the number of personnel required in the first place.

De facto standardization of the company's own technology

How to increase awareness of company's own technology and ensure that this awareness is accurate. How to leverage both open and closed patent strategies, as well as influence-building efforts such as consortiums ,to establish technology as de facto standard.

Cases

Formulating a Strategy for the Promotion of Hydrogen Transportation Technology

To develop a growth strategy for the hydrogen sector, we developed a strategy to promote the client's hydrogen transportation technology. We identified how the technology is recognized and perceived through interviews with global companies and integrated specific activities into the business plan.

ROIC Optimization Strategy Based on Cost Structure Reform

To realize the ideal business portfolio, we reorganized and consolidated systems to improve the current management structure. This led to a fundamental cost structure reform that eliminates inefficiencies.

Viewing Synthetic Fuels in a Fragmented Automotive Market

By dividing the automotive market into stock and flow segments, we visualized the limited near-term impact of the spread of EVs on the fuel market and formulated a plausible scenario for the future of synthetic fuels.

Support for Optimizing Upstream Supply Chain Processes

We supported the introduction of a power generation forecasting system using machine learning and the formulation of a fuel procurement strategy for a major power company, aiming to improve the accuracy of power generation forecasts and stabilize the company's financial balance.

Optimizing the Energy Supply and Demand Balance

Supported one of Japan's largest energy companies in optimizing the energy supply and demand balance. Provided assistance from both operational and IT perspectives, achieving improvements in overall business efficiency and accuracy.

Cost Management

We organized material costs, manufacturing costs, and transportation costs for each product and estimated the cost price for each product. By applying this to the minimum discount amount during negotiations, transformed sales price negotiations into more strategic discussions.