FAQ

A. Established in 1968, IERE is a non-profit, membership-based international organization that serves as a platform for decision-makers and experts in the electric power and energy sectors to exchange knowledge and collaborate in research and development. URL

A. "IERE" originally stood for International Electric Research Exchange, the organization's name at the time of its founding in 1968. Today, the official name is simply "IERE."

A. Our mission is to support our members in formulating R&D strategies that promote the evaluation and implementation of innovative technologies for safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient power systems. URL

A. We aim to be a unique global platform that connects members worldwide and enables the exchange of expertise and advanced technologies. URL

A. As of January 2026, IERE has 55 corporate and institutional members.
Note: Membership is granted on a corporate/institutional basis. Employees of member organizations can be authenticated through their domain (e.g., @iere.jp) and gain access to exclusive content and services.

A. IERE is a member-based organization engaged in R&D for the electric power industry, covering a broad scope from power generation to transmission, distribution, and retail. A distinctive feature is the concentration of its members in Asia, where significant growth is expected. While the membership size is not large, this fosters close collaboration among members. URL

A. IERE promotes the sharing of information and knowledge among members through activities such as forums, workshops, webinars, joint research projects, technology foresight studies, and international collaboration.

A. Members gain access to the latest technologies and R&D insights, opportunities to share expertise within an international network, and participation in joint research projects. IERE provides valuable information to senior executives, planning divisions, R&D departments, and operational units of member organizations, while also offering opportunities for collaborative problem-solving.

A. Since its establishment in 1968, IERE has developed as a non-profit international organization dedicated to advancing electric power technologies through global cooperation. Initially, it was a gathering of electric power-related organizations from industrialized countries. In 2000, IERE was restructured into a membership organization, welcoming electric utilities from developing countries as well as manufacturers and research institutes. While maintaining its founding purpose, IERE has continued to expand and diversify its activities.

A. Members include major electric utilities, manufacturers, research institutes, universities, and other organizations engaged in the energy sector worldwide.

A. IERE's policies and strategies are determined by the Board of Directors, while day-to-day operations are handled by the Central Secretariat.

A. The Board of Directors consists of representatives elected from among senior members. URL

A. IERE's decision-making is carried out by the Board of Directors, while the Central Secretariat manages the implementation of activities. In addition, a General Meeting of all members is held once a year, where the Board's decisions and important activities are reported.

A. The Central Secretariat is located in Komae City, Tokyo, Japan. It is responsible for supporting and facilitating IERE's activities, as well as administrative operations.

A. IERE is funded mainly through membership fees and event-related income, and it operates on a non-profit basis.

A. The latest Statutes and Bylaws are available on the website under the "About IERE" section. Please note that the Bylaws are accessible to members only. URL

A. Benefits include networking with other members through participation in in-person meetings such as forums and workshops, access to and sharing of members-only technical information, and opportunities to take part in joint research projects.

A. It refers to access to members-only resources such as the latest technical information, research reports, and seminar materials, as well as the exchange of information among members.

A. Non-members cannot participate in member-only projects, access restricted documents, or attend certain meetings.

A. Information is posted on the IERE website. In addition to publicly accessible materials, the site includes a variety of members-only content. Access requires a member ID and password, which can be set up by following the instructions on the IERE homepage. URL

A. Members can support events as speakers or hosts, propose research themes, and provide technical materials.

A. There are three membership categories: Executive Members, Regular Members, and Academic Members. Please see the table in the "Membership Fee" section for details.

A. In principle, eligibility is limited to corporations and organizations.

A. Yes. Anyone belonging to a member organization can participate in IERE's activities.

A. Please complete and submit the membership application form, including information such as the representative of your organization, a contact person, and the reasons for applying. Once approved by the IERE Board, the Central Office will provide further guidance. For details, please see the “Join Us” page of the website.

A. Applications can be submitted through the "Join" section of the website. URL

A. Yes. All applications are reviewed and approved by the IERE Board of Directors.

A. The membership fee varies by category (e.g., Executive, Regular). Payment is made by bank transfer according to the invoice issued. Invoices are sent upon joining and again at the end of each year for the following year's annual fee.

A. Membership is renewed annually and continues automatically unless withdrawal is requested.

A. Members can update their information through the member portal or by contacting the Secretariat directly.

A. Please complete the designated withdrawal procedure and notify the IERE Secretariat.

A. IERE focuses on technical development and research in the field of global electric power systems, with particular emphasis on information sharing, technology foresight, and fostering innovation.

A. Key events include the General Meeting, Forums, Workshops, and Webinars.

A. The General Meeting is IERE’s principal annual event, where decisions of the Board and major activities are reported. It is usually held in conjunction with a Forum.

A. A Forum is a technical session held alongside the General Meeting, where participants discuss the latest technical challenges and R&D strategies from a global perspective.

A. A Workshop is an international conference organized regionally, based on the needs of the host organization, to discuss technical and socio-economic issues.

A. A Webinar is an online lecture by experts on the latest or requested topics, designed to facilitate broad information sharing.

A. A Mini-Workshop is a small-scale online session focused on sharing field-based technical experiences and learning about the latest technologies.

A. Held in 2014-2015, this small expert meeting reviewed strategic directions and led to the launch of the Technology Foresight initiative.

A. The main projects include Technology Foresight and Joint Research Initiatives.

A. Launched in 2016, this project analyzes key emerging technologies and provides insights to support members' strategic planning.

A. These are collaborative activities where members share knowledge and resources to address common technical interests under the leadership of a project leader. Generally, there are no financial transactions involved; research is conducted on a give-and-take basis among participating members.

A. TIS is an initiative aimed at identifying and solving global technical challenges, primarily in Asia and Africa.

A. The General Meeting and Forum are usually held once a year between September and November. Workshops are typically organized annually between April and June. Webinars and other events are held as needed. Please check “Events” section on the IERE website.

A. Event information is available on the IERE website and through INFORMAIL (email updates).

A. Most events require advance registration through the IERE website.

A. Webinars are free of charge. In-person events (such as Forums and Workshops) require a participation fee to cover operating costs.

A. Online participation and presentation are possible in Webinars. General Meetings, Forums, and Workshops are basically held in person; however, parts of these events may be streamed online in some cases.

A. No. Participation fees are charged separately for each event.

A. Most events are members-only. However, some events—such as Forums, Workshops, and selected Webinars—are open to non-members, and participation is welcomed.

A. Yes. Most events allow participation without a presentation.

A. Yes. However, cancellation policies vary from event to event. Please check the announcement for each event.

A. Please follow the call for papers of each event and submit an abstract in advance. Accepted presenters will be notified after review.

A. Depending on the event, presentations may be oral or poster sessions.

A. You do not need to bring any specific equipment. The presentation files you submit in advance will be installed on the venue PCs, which you will use for your presentation. If you need to make any revisions after submission, we will be happy to accommodate them.

A. Panels are generally prepared to accommodate A0 size ($841 \times 1,189 \text{ mm}$). Please check event-specific information, as requirements may vary.

A. Presentations are reviewed in advance; however, they are not subject to a formal peer-review process. Please note that a presentation may be declined if its content violates public order or morals, or includes defamatory statements.

A. Yes. Presentations at Forums, Workshops and Webinars are welcome as opportunities for knowledge sharing. However, since IERE is a non-profit organization, overly promotional presentations should be avoided.

A. Yes. Presentations are limited to English.

A. Unfortunately, simultaneous interpretation is not usually available.

A. Yes. Please submit your presentation materials in the specified format before the event.

A. With the presenter's consent, abstracts and slides (PDF format) will be posted on the website for participants and members. Abstracts are publicly available to non-members as well.

A. Some videos, such as keynote speeches in Plenary Sessions, may be made available.

A. Photos and videos of presentations and venues may be shared on the website and social media. Participants will be notified in advance.

A. Yes. Certificates can be issued upon request.

A. Please refer to the following page: URL

A. Please refer to the following page: URL

A. Themes are selected based on proposals from members, with a focus on areas of strong interest.

A. Yes. Calls for participation are announced for each research theme. Interested members should notify the Secretariat. Once participating members are confirmed, a project leader will be selected among them. The project begins after approval by the IERE Board of Directors.

A. Participation is generally limited to members. However, non-members may participate with the consent of the member organizations involved in the project.

A. Yes. Members can propose new themes and launch projects jointly with other members. It is desirable to recommend a project leader (self-nominations are welcome).

A. Yes. If there is a shared area of interest, members may propose new projects or activities. Please consult with the Secretariat.

A. Outcomes include reports on new methods for transformer lifetime assessment, applications of AI, battery energy storage, and preliminary studies on hydrogen technologies.

A. Yes. Final reports and presentation materials are distributed to members.

A. Yes. Some results are presented at academic conferences and published as papers.

A. It will continue as a core IERE activity, providing members with valuable insights and issuing reports on a regular basis based on member feedback.

A. Yes. Through joint research projects and TIS activities, IERE promotes knowledge and technology sharing among its members.

A. Yes. Proposals will be considered depending on the content and objectives. Please contact the Secretariat.

A. Yes. IERE has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with academic societies and peer organizations. For a list of current MOU partners, please see: URL

A. Depending on the nature of the partnership, an MOU or an implementation agreement may be concluded. The process is usually coordinated through the Secretariat and finalized after approval by the Board of Directors.

A. Yes. IERE seeks to encourage interest in the energy and power sectors and contribute to developing the next generation of professionals.

A. Student discounts are available for some events.

A. Members have access to information such as event records—including abstracts, slides, and videos—reports from collaborative research and Technology Foresight projects, and membership-related information.

A. Yes. Members can access archived materials. Some of this information is also available to the public (non-members). Please use the keyword search function on the website.

A. In addition to information published on the website, IERE distributes content through the Newsletter and INFORMAIL.

A. Yes. Members receive regular newsletters and event updates. Non-members who subscribe can receive selected event information through the INFORMAIL service.

A. INFORMAIL is IERE's email service that delivers information to registered recipients, regardless of membership status.

A. Please subscribe via the IERE homepage. Distribution will begin automatically after registration. You may also unsubscribe via the same page. URL

A. All issues are accessible to members on the website. In addition, contact persons registered with member organizations receive newsletters by email upon publication.

A. Unauthorized use is not permitted. Please contact the Secretariat in advance to obtain approval.

A. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Please contact the Secretariat for permission.

A. Media inquiries and interview requests should be directed to the Central Secretariat via the contact information listed on the website.

A. You need a member ID and password. Your member ID is the email address issued by your affiliated organization. Please enter your email address via the homepage instructions and create your own password. If you still have trouble, please contact us via the Contact page. URL

A. You can reset it in the "How to Obtain ID/Password" section. If the process does not work, please contact us via the Contact page. URL