Research Projects

Research and Human Resource Development in Environment and Energy Field for Sustainable Development and Cycle-Oriented Society Promotion in Asia

Contributing to the formation of a cycle-orientated society, relative to the characteristics of each country and region in Asia

There are still many regions within the countries of Asia where there is insufficient infrastructure to consistently provide energy and water. This project proposes a circulation system of energy, water and resources for these regions of Asia, with the objective of contributing to the formation of a cycle-orientated society. Even within Asia, the climate and state of infrastructure differs depending on the country and the region. It is for this reason that we are cooperating with institutions such as Tongji University in China, Vietnam-Japan University in Vietnam and the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) in India, deciding upon development targets appropriate for each country and region in Asia, alongside the development of the human resources who will achieve those targets in society.

In this project, technological development will be carried out from the different perspectives of energy, water and resource cycling. Firstly, Ritsumeikan University is constructing experimental housing on its Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC), relating to "energy cycling." Undertaking various experiments using energy creation and storage technologies such as solar power and fuel cells, the scenario of realizing a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), independent thanks to its system of energy infrastructure, is under consideration. Regarding "water cycling," as well as developing water treatment techniques using membranes and ultra-violet rays, many experiments on the treatment of gray water have been carried out in the research building on BKC, which is equipped with facilities for experiments concerning water reclamation. Further, regarding "resource cycling," material flow analysis and lifecycle assessments have been carried out upon systems that utilize the circulation of food resources, and waste recycling systems. In the future, experimental facilities will be established overseas, with a view to carrying out proof-of-concept experiments in various regions.

The university has been active in encouraging exchanges between students and young researchers, holding joint seminars with Tongji University, participating in a JICA-hosted workshop with the IITH, and creating a program that students from Vietnam-Japan University and Ritsumeikan University study together.

Infrastructure being destroyed in a disaster is a situation not unheard of even in Japan, and off-grid housing and area models are indispensable. The outcome of this project will contribute not just to the sustainable development of areas of Asia, but also become extremely important in Japan as well.

Research Projects