This presentation focuses on energy solutions and strategies for the design of climate neutral societies. The presentation includes new insights into the concept, theory and application of smart energy systems. As opposed to, for instance, the smart grid concept, which puts the sole focus on the electricity sector, smart energy systems include the entire energy system in its approach to identifying suitable pathways to the green transition.

Dr. Toshiharu Ikaga was educated at the graduate school of Architecture, Waseda University. He worked for the world largest architectural design firm “Nikken Sekkei Ltd.” as a mechanical engineer for 22 years, also working for the University of Tokyo as an associate professor for 2 years, and then working for Keio University as a professor for 18 years. His research focuses on sustainable engineering of building and cities, such as residents’ health, workplace productivity, low carbon and resiliency. He was a Vice-pPresident of the Architectural Institute of Japan from June 2020 to May 2022. He is now working at Institute for Built Environment and Carbon Neutral for SDGs as a President.

It is critical to respond to climate change. However, without the adequate supply of critical minerals, it is extremely difficult to achieve carbon neutrality. Unfortunately, these critical minerals locate only in several few countries and the processing of such minerals is both energy and emission intensive. This means that it is urgent to initiate an integrated resource management so that the entire resource list on responding to climate change can be obtained and necessary coordination mechanism can be achieved. International cooperation is particularly crucial since no single country can solve all the issues by itself. Circular economy is also necessary since secondary resource can fill the gap of limited virgin materials and lead to significant energy and emission reductions.