News

Postdoctoral position: 4 years working on a SIP project on energy demand modeling and energy management

Project

The Urban Energy Systems Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the project “Development of Smart Energy Management Systems“, a cross-ministry strategic innovation promotion project (SIP). The five-year project will focus on the development of smart energy management systems. In this five-year project, the laboratory will model and analyze the energy demand and carbon dioxide emissions of local communities and municipalities, and develop a system to support planning for a carbon neutral society.

Postdoctoral research position

We seek a candidate with strong skills in energy demand modeling and analytical methods and an interest in climate change mitigation and energy transition. During the project, the postdoctoral fellow will work with the SIP team and lab students to contribute to one or more of the following research topics:

  1. Analysis of electricity smart meter data
  2. Modeling of building stock and development of energy demand models for non-residential building stock
  3. Simulation of human behavior based on location data collected by cell phone terminals and its application to model building and transportation energy demand
  4. Model validation and parameter calibration
  5. Development of decarbonization scenarios for municipalities, and creation of social implementation mechanisms

The requirements are as follows:

  • Possess a Ph.D. degree or equivalent expertise, or expect to obtain one by April 2024. However, applicants are eligible to apply if they expect to receive their degree from a non-Japanese university by July.
  • Excellent research achievements in a related field.
  • Proficiency in Japanese or English at business level or above

Inquiries about the laboratory and its research are welcome.

Keywords

Climate change mitigation; Regional decarbonization; Energy management; Building system; Electric vehicle; Energy demand modeling; Machine learning; Data-driven approach; Multi-agent simulation; GIS;

Location, hours, contract type and remuneration

  • Suita, Osaka, Japan
  • Full time
  • Fixed term contract
  • 5,125,200JPY~per annum. It will be decided according to the responsibilities assigned based on the applicant’s qualifications.

Details

  • Starting Date
    April 1, 2024 (or as soon as possible thereafter), for those who do not have a doctoral degree at the time of the employment decision, the date after the date of the doctoral degree
  • Term of Employment
    From the date of hire through March 31, 2025. However, as this is a five-year project starting in FY2023, there is a possibility of extension for up to three years. Extension of the employment contract period will be determined after considering the level of contribution to the project. The employment contract may be continued in subsequent projects, etc. However, in accordance with the “Regulations Concerning the Duration of Fixed-Term Employment Contracts for Osaka University Faculty Members,” the maximum total contract period is 10 years from the date of commencement of employment.
  • Probationary Period
    6 months
  • Employment Form
    The Discretionary Labor System, Special Work Type will be applied based on “38. Regulations Pertaining to Working Hours, Holidays and Leave for National University Corporation Osaka University Limited Term Staff”.
  • Salary and Benefits
    Remuneration: 5,125,200JPY~per annum based on “48. Salary Regulations for National University Corporation Osaka University Limited Term Staff (Specially Appointed Staff, etc.) Subject to Annual Salary System
    It will be decided according to the responsibilities assigned based on the applicant’s qualifications.
  • Bonuses and allowance
    Bonuses and allowances for housing, dependency, and retirement are included in the above-mentioned annual salary and will not be paid separately.
  • Insurance
    Medical insurance and employee’s pension insurance of the Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Employment Insurance and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance

Application

Please submit the following documents to the following contact address until January 9, 2024.

  1. A Curriculum Vitae
  2. A list of research achievements  (original papers, review papers, books, patents, presentations at international conferences)
  3. Major original papers in PDF
  4. A list and an outline of awards and prizes
  5. An outline of research and education achievements (within two A4 pages)
  6. A research plan and aspirations (within two A4 pages)
  7. Name, affiliation, and contact information of two professional referees who are willing to be contacted about the applicant
  8. Copies of English proficiency certificate such as TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC scores, a description of periods of residency outside Japan that demonstrate your English ability, or English related job experiences

Application deadline

  • January 9, 2024 (Japan Standard Time) or until the position is filled

Selection Process

  • Document screening will be followed by interviews. Selected applicants will be notified within two weeks of receipt of the application documents.
  • Travel and accommodation fees necessary for interviews are to be covered by the applicant. The applicant may request an online interview.
  • Please note that unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.

Sending Address and Contact Information

  • Please submit by e-mail to Dr. Yohei Yamaguchi (yohei@see.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp).
    Graduate School of Engineering, (Urban Energy System Laboratory, Division of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering) Osaka University
    2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita-city, Osaka 565-0871 JAPAN
  • Write “Application for Specially Appointed Researcher (Full time), Shimoda Laboratory” in the subject line.
  • Attach the application documents in PDF format (with full security countermeasures). If the PDF file is too large to email, then online storage can be used and email its URL.
  • Applicants will be notified by e-mail within one week after submitting the documents. If you do not receive it, please contact Yohei Yamaguchi.

Papers Related to TREES

  1. Y. Shimoda, M. Fujiwara, T. Nakanishi, Y. Yamaguchi, H. Uchida: Energy and carbon management system for a city and a nation, eceee 2022 Summer Study Proceedings, 2022, 4-182-22.
  2. Ayumu Sawamura, Monica I.C. Gondokusuma, Yuki Kitagawa, Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Evaluation of smart community energy performance using bottom-up energy simulation model, Proceedings of Building Simulation 2021: 17th Conference of IBPSA, pp. 2117-2124.  https://publications.ibpsa.org/proceedings/bs/2021/papers/bs2021_30877.pdf
  3. Minami Sugiyama, Ayako Taniguchi-Matsuoka, Yohei Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Shimoda : Required Specification of Residential End-use Energy Demand Model for Application to National GHG MitigationPolicy Making, the 16th IBPSA Conference, Rome, Italy, (2019-9), 3706-3713.  http://www.ibpsa.org/proceedings/BS2019/BS2019_211100.pdf
  4. Yuki Kitagawa, Gondokusuma Monica Irisa Clara, Yoshiyuki Shimoda : Evaluation of Energy Performance of Smart Community Considering Occupant’s Behavior, the 16th IBPSA Conference, Rome, Italy, (2019-9), 3555 – 3562. http://www.ibpsa.org/proceedings/BS2019/BS2019_210737.pdf
  5. Yamaguchi Y, Shoda Y, Yoshizawa S, Imai T, Perwez U, Shimoda Y, Hayashi Y. Feasibility assessment of net zero-energy transformation of building stock using integrated synthetic population, building stock, and power distribution network framework. Applied Energy 2023;333:120568. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2022.120568.
  6. Yohei Yamaguchi, Yuto Shoda, Shinya Yoshizawa, Tatsuya Imai, Usama Perwez, Yoshiyuki Shimoda and Yasuhiro Hayashi. Feasibility assessment of net zero-energy transformation of building stock using integrated synthetic population, building stock, and power distribution network framework, Appl Energy 2023, 333, 120568,  https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2022.120568
  7. Hiromi Okubo, Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Yuki Kitagawa, Monica Irisa Clara Gondokusuma, Ayumu Sawamura, Katsuhisa Deto, Smart communities in Japan: Requirements and simulation for determining index values,Journal of Urban Management, Volume 11, Issue 4, Pages 500-518, December 2022.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2022.09.003
  8. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Minami Sugiyama, Ryuya Nishimoto, Takashi Momonoki, Evaluating decarbonization scenarios and energy management requirement for the residential sector in Japan through bottom-up simulations of energy end-use demand in 2050, Applied Energy, 303, 117510, December 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117510
  9. 黒川 祐輔, 岸本 一将, 下田 吉之, 山口 容平, 宮本 誠文, スマートメータデータを活用したエネルギー最終需要推計モデルパラメータの逆問題最適化, エネルギー・資源学会論文誌, Vol42,Issue6, 385-392,November,2021.  https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.42.6_385
  10. 岡田健志, 正田悠人, 今井達也, 山口容平, 下田吉之, 居住者属性を考慮した住宅居住者生活行為確率生成モデル, エネルギー・資源学会論文誌, Vol42, Issue6,403-412,November,2021. https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.42.6_403
  11. 青木卓也,下田吉之,家庭用燃料電池の火力発電代替ポテンシャル評価,エネルギー・資源学会論文誌,Vol42,Issue5,305-314,September,2021. https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.42.5_305
  12. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Yohei Yamaguchi, Yumiko Iwafune, Kazuyoshi Hidaka, Alan Meier, Yoshie Yagita, Hisaki Kawamoto, Soichi Nishikiori: Energy demand science for a decarbonized society in the context of the residential sector, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 132, 110051, October 2020.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110051
  13. Ayako Taniguchi-Matsuoka, Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Minami Sugiyama, Yusuke Kurokawa, Haruka Matoba, Tomoya Yamasaki, Taro Morikuni, Yohei Yamaguchi: Evaluating Japan’s national greenhouse gas reduction policy using a bottom-up residential end-use energy simulation model, Applied Energy 279, 115792, December 2020.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115792
  14. 杉山 みなみ, 下田 吉之, 山口 容平:家庭部門エネルギー需要シミュレーションによる2050年ゼロエミッション実現可能性の検討、日本建築学会環境系論文集、2020年 85 巻 770 号 289-298. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.85.289
  15. 的場 晴香, 杉山 みなみ, 松岡 綾子, 下田 吉之, 山口 容平:家庭CO2統計とエネルギー最終需要モデルを用いた世帯間エネルギー消費差異の成因に関する研究、エネルギー・資源学会論文誌2020年 41 巻 5 号 209-218.  https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.41.5_209
  16. 北川友葵, Gondokusuma Monica Irisa Clara,下田吉之:新規住宅街区におけるスマートコミュニティ開発に関する研究-エネルギーシミュレーションによるエネルギー性能評価-,日本都市計画学会都市計画論文集,54巻3号(2019-10),486-492. https://doi.org/10.11361/journalcpij.54.486
  17. 松岡綾子,山口容平,上林由果,下田吉之:世帯属性情報に基づく湯はり頻度予測モデルの構築,空気調和・衛生工学会文集,264号(2019-3),35-44. https://doi.org/10.18948/shase.44.264_35
  18. 松岡綾子,杉山みなみ,桃木貴志,山口容平,下田吉之:長期エネルギー需給見通しにおける家庭部門CO2排出削減見込み量の検証,日本建築学会環境系論文集,84巻757号(2019-3),323-333.  https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.84.323
  19. Takuya Fujimoto, Yohei Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Shimoda : Energy management for voltage control in a net-zero energy house community considering appliance operation constratints and variety of households,Eenergy and Buildings ,147(2017), pp.188-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.05.009
  20. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Ayako Taniguchi-Matsuoka, Takuya Inoue, Masaya Otsuki, Yohei Yamaguchi : Residential energy end-use model as evaluation tool for residential micro-generation, Applied Thermal Engineering, 114(2017), 1433-1442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.09.066
  21. Ayako Taniguchi, Takuya Inoue,Masaya Otsuki, Yohei Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Akinobu Takami, Kanako Hanaoka : Estimation of the Contribution of the Residential Sector to Summer Peak Demand Reduction in Japan Using an Energy End-Use Simulation Model, Energy and Buildings, 112(2016),80-92.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.11.064
  22. 青木卓也,羽原宏美,下田吉之:世帯の需要特性を考慮した住宅用コジェネレーションシステムの導入効果分析,エネルギー・資源学会論文集,37巻1号(2016),9-16. https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.37.1_9
  23. 谷口綾子,下田吉之,山口容平:改正省エネルギー基準による大阪府家庭部門エネルギー消費削減効果の評価,日本建築学会環境系論文集,80巻708号(2015-2),159-168. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.80.159
  24. 高村しおり,山口容平,羽原宏美,下田吉之:太陽光発電と省エネルギー技術の大規模導入を考慮した地域電力需要の将来推計,日本建築学会環境系論文集,77巻680号(2012),805-811. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.77.805
  25. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Tomo Okamura, Yohei Yamaguchi, Yukio Yamaguchi, Ayako Taniguchi, Takao Morikawa : City-level energy and CO2 reduction effect by introducing new residential water heaters, Energy, 35, Issue 12(2010-12), pp.4880-4891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.08.043
  26. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Yukio Yamaguchi, Tomo Okamura, Ayako Taniguchi, Yohei Yamaguchi : Prediction of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential in Japanese Residential Sector by Residential Energy End-Use Model, Applied Energy, 87, (2010),1944-1952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.10.021
  27. 山口容平,赤井研樹,瀋俊毅,藤村尚樹,下田吉之,西條辰義:消費者選好に基づく太陽光発電および太陽熱温水器の技術普及予測と普及推進施策評価,エネルギー・資源学会論文誌,Vol. 31,No. 1,(2010).  https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.31.1_38
  28. 山口容平,有城丈博,下田吉之:住宅ストックのマネジメントによる二酸化炭素排出量の削減効果の推計―大阪府豊中市郊外の戸建て住宅地区を対象としたケーススタディ―,都市計画論文集,44-3(2009),313-318.  https://doi.org/10.11361/cpij1.44.0.53.0
  29. 下田吉之,山口幸男,岡村朋,谷口綾子,山口容平:家庭用エネルギーエンドユースモデルを用いた我が国民生家庭部門の温室効果ガス削減ポテンシャル予測,エネルギー・資源,175(2009-5).  https://doi.org/10.24778/jjser.30.3_1
  30. 谷口綾子,下田吉之,旭貴弘,山口幸男:日本の住宅エネルギー最終需要のモデル化と住宅熱性能改善の影響評価 世帯詳細区分型都市住宅エネルギーエンドユースモデルの開発と応用(3),日本建築学会環境系論文集,632(2008-10),1217-1224. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.73.1217
  31. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Takahiro Asahi, Ayako Taniguchi, Minoru Mizuno : Evaluation of city-scale impact of residential energy conservation measures using the detailed end-use simulation model, Energy, 32-9(2007), pp.1617-1633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2007.01.007
  32. 下田吉之,中尾寿孝,鳴海大典,羽原宏美,水野稔,辻毅一郎:都市家庭部門エネルギー最終需要モデルの検証と気温上昇影響,エネルギー・資源,160(2006-11),pp.431-437. https://www.jser.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/27-431.pdf
  33. 森川貴夫,下田吉之,水野稔:住宅や機器の性能分布を考慮した大阪市住宅エネルギー需要の推計 世帯詳細区分型都市住宅エネルギーエンドユースモデルの開発と応用(2),日本建築学会環境系論文集,595(2005-9),pp.97-104. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.70.97_3
  34. 藤井拓郎,下田吉之,森川貴夫,水野稔:熱負荷計算を組み込んだ都市住宅エネルギーエンドユースモデルの開発 世帯詳細区分型都市住宅エネルギーエンドユースモデルの開発と応用(1),日本建築学会環境系論文集,589(2005-3),51-58. https://doi.org/10.3130/aije.70.51_2
  35. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Takuro Fujii, Takao Morikawa and Minoru Mizuno : Residential end-use energy simulation at city scale, Building and Environment,39, No.8(2004-8),pp.959-967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.01.020
  36. Yukio Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Shimoda,Ayako Taniguchi : Evaluation of Energy Saving Measures in Long-Term Scenario in Japanese Residential Sector,Proceedings of the World Conference SB08, Melbourne, Australia, (2008-9),2521-2528
  37. Takehiro Arishiro, Yohei Yamaguchi,Yoshiyuki Shimoda,Yukio Yamaguchi : Evaluation of Global Warming Mitigation measures in The Residential and Non-Residential Sectors of a Suburban City in Japan,Proceedings of the World Conference SB08, Melbourne, Australia, (2008-9),1968-1975
  38. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Yohei Yamaguchi, Kaoru Kawamoto, Jun Ueshige, Yoshimasa Iwai, Minoru Mizuno: Effect of Telecommuting on Energy Consumption in Residential and Non-Residential Sectors, Tenth International IBPSA Conference, Beijing, China, (2007-9),1361-1368(全文審査付)
  39. Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Takuro Fujii, Takao Morikawa and Minoru Mizuno : Evaluation on Residential Energy Efficiency Programs Using the City-Scale End-Use Simulation Model, Proceedings of 2004 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, (2004),2-249-2-259(全文審査付)

ボトムアップシミュレーションにより2050 年の日本の家庭部門温室効果ガス排出を予測

日本が温室効果ガス排出目標を達成するための政策評価ツール開発しました

本研究成果は、2021年8月25日(水)(日本時間)にオランダ科学誌「Applied Energy」(オンライン)に掲載されました。
タイトル:“Evaluating Decarbonization Scenarios and Energy Management Requirement for the Residential Sector in Japan through Bottom-up Simulations of Energy End-use Demand in 2050”
著者名:Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Minami Sugiyama, Ryuya Nishimoto, Takashi Momonoki
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117510

Active utilization of energy demand in smart grids

A smart grid is a digitally enabled electrical grid that gathers, distributes, and acts on information about the behavior of all participants (suppliers and consumers) in order to improve the efficiency, importance, reliability, economics, and sustainability of electricity services. Moreover, as smart grids continue to support traditional power loads they also seamlessly interconnect fuel cells, renewables, micro-turbines, and other distributed generation technologies at local and regional levels. Integration of small-scale, localized, or on-site power generation allows residential, commercial, and industrial customers to self-generate and sell excess power to the grid with minimal technical or regulatory barriers. However, Smart grids require an important change in the infrastructure which represents a high cost that is difficult to cover in the short term. As phovoltaics has been regarded as a key technology for global warming mitigation in Japan, research is being done considering that the increase of PV’s into the grid could cause problems that threatens the stability and quality of the electric power system. To resolve this issues, this laboratory researches on energy management on residential area and the possibility of battery storage installation to deal with the energy surplus generated during the day which is later demanded on the evening. Some of the research topics are: “Evaluation of the effect of batteries in district level smart grid” “Household electricity simulation: demand, the electricity generation and demand-supply control methods”.

Other topics

Evaluation of Heat Supply System Performance

The thermal energy to supply cooling, heating, and hot water supply hold a large ratio of the total urban energy flow. Low-carbon technologies are being considered to achieve thermal energy conservation, such as district heating and cooling energy to supply heat applied in dense urban areas which have a large energy demand.  High efficiency heating systems are also being evaluated for each building (cogeneration, heat pumps etc. ), and several other systems have been proposed.

Some of the topics of this group are: “Energy conservation in district heating and cooling,” “The possibility of developing a business that services heat supply”, “Estimation of energy consumption efficiency by the duration of thermal source equipment”, among others.  We will propose a thermal system in the future based on the several assessments and accurate modeling of various systems that are being carried out.

Other topics

Modelling and Analysis of Building Energy Demand

This group researches on the actual energy consumption of buildings. In addition to the energy consumption analysis, energy conservation policies and measures for CO2 mitigation policies are evaluated. A simulation model has been developed in order to predict future energy consumption in the residential and commercial energy demand sectors. The building energy consumption depend on different specifications such as  lifestyle of resident behaviors, weather conditions, equipment specifications, etc.  The model developed by this group takes into account the structure of the energy consumption which enables to understand the impact caused by each one of the specifications above mentioned individually. By using this model, it is possible to measure the amount of carbon emission reduction while applying different methods for the mitigation of global warming.

Other topics

Urban Energy Metabolism

The debate for the optimization of the urban energy system is not only a discussion of the environmental impact caused by the energy consumption coming from every building, industry facility, etc., but it is also important to include the understanding of urban areas energy consumption and metabolism as a whole which can be generally evaluated in a input-output energy flowchart. As the sustainable technologies are being developed and are desirable towards a more sustainable urban energy system, this research group evaluates the urban energy’s flow considering the insertion of new technologies into the system.

Other topics