Pioneer | 240321 | Employee interviews | Company information

概念を超えた
サービスステーションの
実現によって新しい
時代を切り拓く。

Petroleum Marketing Department　Gas Station Construction & Development Section

T.USUI

In November 2022, Idemitsu Kosan opened a new style of service station (hereinafter referred to as SS). It is apollostation Type Green (hereinafter referred to as Type Green), Japan's first environmentally friendly service station that uses domestically produced wood. It overturns the conventional notion that "SSs must be reinforced concrete buildings" and aims to be environmentally friendly and contribute to domestic forestry. We interviewed the person in charge of Type Green development, who presented the world with the ideal form of the next generation of SS, on the theme of "Pioneer".

INTERVIEW POINT

Joined the company in 2013. After joining the company, he was assigned to the Kansai branch in Kyoto for four years, then to the Chubu branch in Nagoya for three years, and after gaining experience in charge of dealers, he was assigned to the SS Development Division Petroleum Marketing Department. From February 2022, he will be working as a member of the Type Green development project.

給油所における
カーボンニュートラル
に挑戦しながら
林業振興を目指す。

A new attempt to build service station out of wood

When Japan's first wooden gas station, "Type Green," opened, its exterior and innovative concept attracted attention. It is very different from the image of a conventional gas station, with a wooden building reminiscent of a cafe and a design based on brown tones. Type Green is an environmentally friendly gas station newly developed by Idemitsu Kosan. "As part of our carbon neutral measures, Idemitsu Kosan is working on biomass power generation. Power generation requires wood as fuel, but there is little raw material and distribution of wood. As we looked into it, we found that the country's forest Resources are not being fully utilized. As we thought about what we could do, we thought that by using wood in our gas stations, we could contribute to revitalizing the forestry industry, and that's how the project started."

Contributing to the promotion of local forestry with environmentally friendly domestically produced building material CLT

The store was developed based on the concept of "service station where you can take a deep breath." The wood used was CLT (straight laminated board), which has excellent heat insulation, flameproofing, and heat shielding properties.
CLT is a building material that has recently been attracting attention as a material that has a low environmental impact, reduces CO₂ emissions, and helps preserve forests. "CLT is processed wood, so we try to use locally produced wood as much as possible. For example, 94% of the CLTs at the first Smart Eco Station Nankoku Bypass (Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture) are made of cedar grown in Kochi Prefecture. The forestry companies are also the customers to whom we supply fuel. We believe that through this initiative, we have been able to contribute in some small way to the promotion of the local forestry industry." Although he says this now, major problems arose as the construction plans for Type Green progressed.

先駆者ゆえに
乗り越えなければ
ならなかった
強大な壁がある。

Fire service laws prevent the realization of wooden service station

"We considered a design that would allow the wood grain to be visible, so that customers would recognize that it was a gas station made of wood. Due to the nature of gas stations being hazardous materials handling facilities, they are built in accordance with strict regulations under various laws and ordinances to ensure customer safety. Article 17 of the Ordinance on the Control of Hazardous Materials, a government ordinance under the Fire Service Act, lists the conditions for gas station construction, stating that "walls, pillars, floors, beams and roofs must be fire-resistant or constructed from non-combustible materials." This was the first time for both the permittee and the builder to construct an SS that featured CLT, a material that does not fall into these categories by itself. Looking back now, it is only natural that there were voices of confusion and concern. As a result, we faced difficulties from the very first stage, which was to select a potential construction site." So what was the solution that was arrived at after various methods were considered to realize a wooden gas station that complied with laws and ordinances?

Looking for collaborators to join us in this first attempt in Japan

"While we were considering ways to realize our vision, we came to the conclusion that we may gain understanding by attaching fireproof wood to CLT, which is characterized by its fire resistance, in accordance with the Fire Service Act's requirement of 'fireproof or fire-resistant construction.' We then made another attempt at obtaining approval, checking with each ministry and agency in advance and selecting regional bases that promote CLT. As a result, we were able to obtain permission to build Type GreenSS in three locations across the country." Since no one had ever worked on building a wooden SS, it was only natural that the design and construction companies that we had previously worked with did not have the knowledge to do so. "Because this was an unprecedented project, it took time to get everyone we visited to understand. We also visited Meiken Kogyo (Okayama Prefecture), where we sourced the wood, many times, and gradually gained knowledge and made our way forward."

Gain understanding from more people and move on to the next goal

On November 7, 2022, Type Green's first store, "Smart Eco Station Nangoku Bypass," finally opened in Nangoku City, Kochi Prefecture, followed by "Smart Eco Station Kanokodai" in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture in November of the same year, and "Smart Eco Station Misugidai" in Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture in December. "After the opening, we received a great response from both inside and outside the company. In addition to being approached by dealers in an area where forestry is thriving, we were reported in 32 media outlets, including national newspapers, and received offers of cooperation from the "League of Parliamentarians for Regional Revitalization with CLT," house manufacturers, and general contractors. In addition, we won the "Lifestyle Design Division" in the architecture and space category of the Wood Design Award 2023, and were the first oil refinery company to be recognized for its "challenge to environmentally friendly SS (wooden building)." Inside the store, where the scent of cedar wafts through the air, a concept movie conveying Type Green's efforts was also screened to visitors. "The number of old trees in Japan's forests is increasing, which is actually decreasing the amount of CO₂ absorbed. That's why we need to use a lot of wood and replace it with new wood. Through Type Green, we aim to contribute to carbon neutrality. I think you have now seen why Idemitsu Kosan has started using wood in its gas stations, the parts closest to customers." The fourth Type Green will open in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, in March 2024.

社会の変化に
呼応しながら
SSのイメージ向上を
目指し続ける。

Creating stores that evoke sympathy through new added value

"We believe that Type Green is one answer that can add new value to existing gas stations. As domestic demand for Petroleum shrinks, a gas station that continues to be chosen by customers needs more than just a stable supply of fuel. We believe that we are entering an era in which even the design of a gas station will require renewed attention to whether Management Philosophy can be sympathized with." Type Green plans to continue increasing the number of stores while solving issues identified at existing stores. "First of all, we aim to open 30 Type Green stores by fiscal 2025. Through this initiative, we hope to generalize the use of wood in gas stations and create a society in which safe, carbon-neutral service station are widespread throughout Japan in 20 years' time."

Improving the image of SS while solving social issues

In Medium-term Management Plan (2023-2025), the company has set out the "Smart Yorozuya Concept," which aims to transform all gas stations nationwide from refueling stations to lifestyle support hub. In the development of gas stations, in addition to providing a stable supply of diverse energy and next-generation mobility services, it is also necessary to contribute to solving social issues. "If we are unable to secure a base to interact with customers in response to future social changes (energy transition), gas stations will be selected out. Even if the means of transportation and types of energy change, there will be a certain level of customer demand for stores. Nevertheless, we at Idemitsu, who have set the goal of a stable supply of energy, recognize that our mission is to strive to increase the added value of our bases and respond to the times. We hope to continue giving back to society by creating bases that are accepted by the next generation. Although we are still halfway to reducing CO₂ emissions and contributing to domestic forestry by expanding our bases, we would like to pioneer a new way of designing gas stations through this initiative so that we can contribute to changing the conventional image of gas stations."

ANOTHER STORY

He continues to develop SS, feeling a sense of engagement in implementing ideas from his desk.

Usui says that the experience he gained in store operations and store management at his new post after joining the company has led him to be able to "imagine the flow of traffic inside the store and the people who actually work there." He is always interested in the trends of not only Type Green, but also the dealerships and SS he has worked with in the past. On the other hand, SS development requires specialized knowledge in areas such as construction, equipment, and real estate, and it is also necessary to become familiar with fire regulations. While acquiring this knowledge through his work, Usui continues to be driven by his enthusiasm for his work, saying, "I find the process of implementing concepts and ideas on paper into reality very rewarding."

*As of March 2024