Gifu University held Gifu Renewable Energy System Research Center Opening Ceremony on July 2, 2018.

The center was established within the Organization for Research and Community Development, Gifu University in April, 2018 to address challenges in building the eco-friendly, sustainable energy systems. The center is expected to be the core base for environmental sciences and is working for the following goals: 1) introduce "Local Production for Local Consumption Energy Systems in Hilly and Mountainous Areas (Regional Revitalization Gifu Model)" for a practical applications in society at large in a collaborative effort involving industries, government and academia, 2) establish technologies to integrate energy systems, 3) reinforce renewable energy system and achieve next-generation energy vision. The CO2-emission free energy based on hydrogen yielded from renewable energy is the backbone of all these goals above.

The center has already been selected by the government as a role model institution for its pioneering projects and research among national universities in Japan.

Four guests of honor delivered their messages to celebrate the center's opening: they were Mr. Keisuke Isogai of the Research Promotion Bureau, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Mr. Takaaki Ikawa of the Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry, Gifu Prefectural Government, Mr. Masanori Kaneko, Mayor of Yaotsu Town, Gifu Prefecture, and Mr. Hiroshi Tsuboi, Director General of National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP). Beginning with Dr. Hisataka Moriwaki, President, board members, researchers, students and private firm representatives, more than 190 people attended the ceremony.

Three speeches followed by the guest speakers. First, Mr. Yoshiteru Sato, Executive Director of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) delivered a keynote speech. Professor Keiichi Ishihara of Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University and Mr. Hisashi Watanabe of the Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry, Gifu Prefectural Government made presentations respectively. In the subsequent informal meeting, active information sharing and discussions unfolded among researchers, guest speakers and participants (a total of 87 people took part).