A series of natural disasters this summer, from an earthquake in south Japan to Typhoon Ampil along the coast of greater Tokyo, served as a reminder of the need to make energy systems resilient even in times of extreme crises.

Efforts to mitigate ensuing risks now extend to energy generation with a growing number of municipalities across the country seeking to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to secure power supply during emergencies.

The issue of securing backup sources is becoming more important as the mainstay of Japan’s energy system are aging thermal plants. This is a factor that even METI minister Saito recently underscored, noting that periods of extreme weather, such as this summer’s heat, are putting undue strain on domestic energy systems.

Given the difficulty in accurately predicting extreme weather impact, never mind the occurrence of a natural disaster, local and national authorities are also looking for emergency backup energy sources that could be utilized quickly and flexibly. Restarting a mothballed coal or oil-fired power plant would take days, even if it had received regular maintenance. That’s another reason why municipalities are turning to batteries, EVs, and other clean energy sources, seeking both lower emissions and a more nimble approach.

Japan NRG takes a look at some energy emergency response measures implemented in the wake of major disasters, as well as recent trends showing increased reliance on renewables in times of emergency.