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AI and digitalization, synthetic fuels and energy storage among key updates in technology development and international collaboration for carbon-neutral technologies
　
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The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) convened the 7th RD20 Conference in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, from September 30 to October 3, 2025, and has subsequently published “Now & Future,” a report summarizing the status and outlook for clean energy research and development at leading research institutions in Group of 20 countries and regions.
　　
RD20 now comprises 24 member institutions from 18 countries and regions, including Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), which was approved as a new member during the conference. The event brought together researchers and institutional leaders from 19 countries and regions worldwide. Participants reaffirmed the importance of accelerating international collaboration in joint research and social implementation of cutting-edge technologies toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society.
　　
“Now & Future” compiles the priority research areas, international collaborations and project progress in energy research of RD20 member institutions along with presentation materials from the 7th RD20 Conference, which focused on AI and digitalization for energy, synthetic fuels and grid-scale energy storage.
The report provides an overview of the current status (“now”) and outlook (“future”) of energy technology research across countries and regions.
　
The materials are available for viewing and download on the official RD20 website:
? Now & Future: (available in English only)
　　
　
In addition, Leaders Recommendation 2025 Tsukuba has been published to outline the shared direction for international collaboration under RD20 as agreed upon by institutional leaders. Readers are invited to review this alongside “Now & Future,” which summarizes the latest trends in energy technology and outlines the roadmaps for current research projects.
　
Leaders Recommendation 2025 Tsukuba
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■ Overview of the 7th RD20 Conference
? Dates: September 30 – October 3, 2025
? Venue: Hotel Nikko Tsukuba and online (hybrid format)
? Host: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
? Co-organizers: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); Ministry of the Environment (MOE); New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
? Other: The conference was officially recognized as a Theme Weeks Connect Program for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan as part of the theme week “SDGs+Beyond Future Society for Life.”
The Leaders Session was also held as part of Tokyo GX Week program.
　
[Program Themes and Highlights]
◆ Technical Session
? Plenary: High-level talk on energy and the environment
? Theme 1: Synthetic fuels including a wide range of resources, conversion processes and products
? Theme 2: Energy storage with a focus on grid-scale storage for renewables
? Theme 3: AI and digitalization to accelerate research for energy technology innovation, development and deployment
　
　
◆ Leaders Session
? Reports on Taskforce Activities: Advanced Characterization of Photovoltaic (PV) Devices; Hydrogen Life Cycle and Sustainability Analysis (LCSA); Hydrogen Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA)
? Report on the Summer School for Early Career Researchers
? Contribution to the G20: Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG)
? Keynote Presentation 1: Advancing Carbon Dioxide Removal: International Collaboration and Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Innovations at AIST-GZR (Global Zero Emission Research Center)
? Keynote Presentation 2: Green Energy Research at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin – Innovations Through International Partnerships
　
　
■ Host Country for 2026
It was confirmed during the conference that the 8th RD20 Conference will be held in the Republic of South Africa and hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from October 19 to 23, 2026.
Through RD20’s year-round activities — including the Summer School and Taskforces — and discussions at the next conference, RD20 will continue to advance innovation that addresses region-specific challenges while contributing to global carbon neutrality.
　
　
■ About RD20
Established under Japan’s leadership in 2019, RD20 is an international initiative that aims to promote innovation toward carbon neutrality by strengthening collaboration among leading research institutions in G20 countries and regions engaged in advanced energy technology development.
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[Contact]
RD20 Secretariat,
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)