By Roman Targosz / Published on Mon, 2009-07-13 19:43
Commercial, or in other words non-technical losses account for more than 1% of electricity use around the world. The dominant component of these losses is electricity theft. In the largest extent, electricity theft is a problem related to residential customers. In some countries, electricity theft is in the range of, or far exceeding, technical losses in the transmission and distribution sector.
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Japan
By HDK / Published on Wed, 2009-06-03 20:03
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Thu, 2009-01-15 14:13
Mark Ellis and Nigel Jollands, International Energy Agency,
France Lloyd Harrington, Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia
Alan Meier, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-12-16 10:00
Year: 2008
Policy Status: In force
The development of innovative technology is essential in achieving the long-term target of halving global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the current levels under Cool Earth 50, proposed in May 2007.
Based on awareness of this issue, an investigative commission comprising key intellectual figures, organized under Akira Amari, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, announced the Cool Earth Innovative Energy Technology Program. The commission selected 21 innovative technologies whose development and deployment should be prioritised to achieve the target.
In the program, roadmaps with an outlook extending to around 2050 were prepared along with examinations on the effectiveness of the technologies and measures toward dissemination. In addition, the Program aims to strengthen international co-operation to accelerate innovative technology R&D, through existing international frameworks such as the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) and APP on clean coal; GNEP and GIF on nuclear; IPHE on fuel cells and IEA implementing agreements generally as well as through exploring new areas for cooperation.
Technologies included are:
- High efficiency natural gas and coal fired power generation
- Intelligent transport system, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in hybrid/electric vehicles
- Innovation to increase efficiency of industrial processing and materials production
- Innovation in iron and steel-making
- High-efficiency housing and building technologies, as well as lighting technologies
- Stationary fuel cells
- High-efficiency heat pumps
- Highly efficient information device and systems
- High-performance power storage systems
- HEMS/BEMS and local-level Energy Management Systems
Click here to download the full report and technology roadmap.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2008-12-15 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
An initial "Plan to Establish the Measures to be Taken by the Government to Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Government's Clerical Work and Business" was decided by the cabinet meeting of 28 April 2005. The government took over this plan and formulated a new "Plan to establish the measures to be taken by the government to control greenhouse gas emissions for the government's clerical work and business", known as the Government Action Plan. It was established based on the Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming as well as the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan.
The government's clerical work and business covered by the Government Action Plan are, in principle, all clerical work and business conducted by the administrative bodies of the government. The period of this Government Action Plan is from 2007 to 2012.
The Action Plan can be revised based on the situation in implementing the Action Plan and the progress in the technology, whenever necessary. The specific measures for the Action Plan are as follows:
- Introduction of low pollution vehicles
- Efficient use of vehicles
- Introduction of energy efficient appliances
- Ensuring overall energy conservation actions in existing buildings
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sun, 2008-12-14 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The
Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), a government-affiliated financial institution, and Japan Smart Energy Co., a Japanese accounting firm specialised in environmental issues, announced on 22 June 2007 that they had jointly established
Energy Bank, the first fund of its kind in Japan, to
invest in the installation of facilities that help reduce CO2 emissions. Energy Bank has entered into an agreement with Osaka Gas Co. on the fund's operation. The fund started operating on 1 August 2007, and is expected to finance the installation of
JPY 15 billion (about
USD 120 million) worth of energy-efficient facilities in its first three years.
Energy Bank's three partners will combine their financial and technical know-how, along with experience in measurement and verification, to invest in
natural gas facilities that reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions Investments are carried out through an energy service scheme. Energy Bank provides energy-saving facilities and supplies energy to customers, receiving a service charge based on the customer's energy consumption. This scheme allows customers to install energy-saving facilities without making an initial investment.
Energy Bank invests in targeted facilities by using funds from DBJ, after studying the expected energy-saving performance . Subsequently the energy service is entrusted to Osaka Gas, which installs and manages the facilities, and measures energy consumption. The role of Japan Smart Energy is to verify the resutling CO2 emission reduction.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-12-13 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The New National Energy Strategy of May 2006 and Basic Energy Plan of March 2007 both specify that an Energy Conservation Technology Strategy is to be formulated. They specify that the strategy will identify issues to be solved by technology and formulate a roadmap regarding technology development for these issues.
The Energy Conservation Technology Strategy is premised on the need for long-term planning when it comes to technology development in the energy field, as well as durable public-private partnerships. It identifies and classifies energy technology for future commercialisation in the following categories:
- Total energy efficiency improvement
- Fuel diversification in the transportation sector
- Development, promotion and dissemination of new energy
- Promotion of nuclear energy and safety
- Security of supply of fossil fuels and their clean and efficient use.
Based on these categories, a Technology map, Roadmap, and Introduction Scenario were developed to 2030. They envisage widespread cooperation between various actors, without restrictions according to sectors and fields of research.
Additional information can be found at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy website.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Fri, 2008-12-12 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan enacted by a Cabinet decision in April 2005 requires periodic evaluation. In 2007, a year before the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, a comprehensive evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and progress in implementing the Plan was undertaken.
The Plan also obliges the government to implement the measures necessary for the first commitment period from fiscal 2008. For this purpose, discussions on the evaluation and revision of the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan started in November 2006. They included examining and evaluating progress in implementing the measures in each sector, hearings with experts, concerned ministries and related organisations, and on an examination of the revision of the measures in each sector. The discussion results were compiled into a final review in December 2007.
The new Plan established that the existing measures needed to be enhanced and put in place more rapidly; while progress had been made, it was insufficient overall.
An estimation of greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 amounted to between 1.273 billion tonnes CO2 to 1.287 billion tonnes CO2. Without changes in the implementation of the Kyoto mechanisms, and the forest absorption targets set under the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan, this estimate shows a shortfall of between 20 to 34 million tonnes ofCO2 (a shortfall of between 1.5% and 2.7% compared to overall emissions in the base year) to achieve the 6% reduction committed in the Kyoto Protocol. Based on this estimate, it was proposed that the measures should be reinforced for energy-saving equipment, automobiles (including specific measures for each type of vehicle), and smaller businesses. In addition, measures such as the Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan should be expanded.
According to the new Plan, the Kyoto Protocol target of a 6% emissions reduction can be achieved through full efforts made cooperatively by the government, local authorities and main bodies, as well as through elaborating new measures to strengthen those undertaken as part of the previous plan.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-12-11 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: Planned
On November 29, 2007, the "Inter-Ministerial Liaison Committee for the Promotion of Energy and Resource Conservation Measures", composed of vice-minister level officials, was held to further promote energy conservation efforts. New measures were deemed necessary by the government, against a background of rising commercial and residential energy consumption, increased energy costs, concerns regarding energy security, and the start of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period in 2008. The energy conservation measures initiated apply to the government itself as well as to industry and the public.
Cooperation was requested for the following actions by government related organisations, and other actors:
- Strengthening of national promotion of energy conservation in the household sector
- Strengthening of national promotion of energy conservation in the commercial sector
- Eco driving promotion
- Use of green electricity certificates
Basic principles of dissemination and promotion, eight items were identified including:
- active dissemination of information using all types of media
- national dissemination to the public by a company through CSR activities
- promotion of dissemination through cooperation
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Wed, 2008-12-10 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The
Energy-Efficient Household Appliance Promotion Forum (provisional name) was established with the aim of further promoting the widespread use of
energy-efficient household appliances (e.g. air conditioners, refrigerators, lighting) as a national movement through collaboration with concerned parties, including household appliance
manufacturers/
retailers and
consumer groups.
Driven by its members, the forum will be engaged in the rollout of campaigns to promote energy-efficient household appliances, the wider provision of information on such appliances, the development of domestic energy saving diagnosis tools, and the co-hosting of the "Energy Saving Contest".
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-12-09 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
Within the New National Energy Strategy of 31 May 2006, the
AsianEnergy-Saving Program was established. The programme aims to improve energy efficiency throughout Asia by promoting and using
Japanese energy-saving technologies, systems and experiences.
The Asian Energy-Saving Program focuses on
China,
India,
Thailand,
Indonesia and
Vietnam as prospective partners, with particular attention to the energy conservation potential of China and India.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sun, 2008-12-07 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The Japanese government adopted the "Basic Program for Housing" on 19 September 2006, planning to improve housing standards over the next 10 years. The plan was presented by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on 28 June 2006 based on the current Basic Act for Housing, which has been in effect since 8 June 2006.
The Ministry has clear targets for housing by 2015. Building efficiency figures in two of the four target areas:
- 40 percent of housing should have energy saving measures, for example double-paned windows (18% as of 2003);
- to increase the life span of housing to about 40 years (about 30 years as of 2003).
By regularly analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of the project using target assessment indicators, the Ministry intends to reappraise and modify the plan in five years based on the effectiveness of these measures and changes in social conditions.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-12-06 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The
Energy Conservation Frontrunner Plan reinforces the national strategy to reduce petroleum consumption.
Setting a target to
improve energy efficiency by 30% relative to 2006 by 2030, the Japanese government pledges to establish a state-of-the-art energy supply-demand structure within a market of high prices that the government expects to endure for the medium to long-term. Beyond a sustained promotion of energy efficiency, the Japanese government pledges to optimise energy use by reducing oil dependence through improvements in the energy intensity of the oil-intensive transport sector.
The Energy Conservation Frontrunner Plan sets a
strategy to achieve this energy efficiency target, through strategic planning in both the
medium- and long-term. It establishes a plan to develop
energy conservation technology and the development and dissemination of a benchmarking approach, so that the energy conservation effect can be quantitatively verified.
Based on this plan, the
Energy Conservation Technology Strategy was formulated with the prospective target of recognising energy conservation technology as Japan's source of industrial competitiveness in the world, and achieving the respected status of the "World's No.1 Country of Energy Conservation" by overcoming resource and environmental constraints by 2030.
Additional information can be found
here.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Fri, 2008-12-05 09:32
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The Law Concerning Rational Use of Energy (known as the Energy Conservation Law) passed in 1979, revised in 1993 and 1998, 2002, and 2005 is the foundation for much of Japan's energy efficiency policy.
The 5th revision to 1979's Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy establishes new measures and strengthens previous measures regarding energy efficiency in four different sectors.
- To expand the scope of factories' energy management programme, the previous category division of heat and electricity for factories and offices is abolished and integrated into a single amount of energy. Thus target factories are those that consume above a certain amount of both heat and electricity. Type 1 Designated Energy Management Factories are those which consume large amounts of energy (the total consumption of fuel and electricity is 3,000 kL or more per year in crude oil equivalents) and belong to the five manufacturing industries. The revised law requires the appointment of an energy operations manager for Type 1 and smaller Type 2 factories.
Facilities must provide yearly reports, as well as develop mid- and long-term plans for energy efficiency and conservation. They must also nominate energy managers, knowledgeable in both heat and electricity matters, to oversee their energy management. A transitional period of 5 years is provided, within which previous managers can perform these functions.
The energy consumption limit for designated plants is lowered, thereby increasing the number of designated facilities and business from 10 to 13 thousand, and increasing the law?s coverage of the industrial sector from approximately 70% to 80%.
In addition, for Type 1 factories, a field survey of the factory or workplace is undertaken to ensure implementation of the management status required, as per the standards for factories and workplaces established by the law. Based on survey results and the reports provided by the manufacturer, compliance levels are determined, and an on-site inspection can be executed if the activities are considered insufficient.
- The new law strengthens energy conservation measures for residential buildings and the construction sector. Owners of buildings larger than 2 000 m2 floor space must now prepare efficiency plans when applying for renovation permits, as must contractors planning to build entirely new structures. The reporting requirement for energy conservation measures undertaken, whereby prefectures or other building authorisation officials must be informed of measures taken, became mandatory.
- Imposition of new obligations on consigners and carriers (transportation enterprises, for both goods and passengers, and goods owners) for the transportation sector. Among other tasks, designated consigners must prepare period reports on measures of efficient transport, starting in April 2007. They must also promote eco-driving and introduce low-fuel consumption vehicles. Goods owners must appoint energy conservation managers for transportation.
- Obliges energy suppliers and equipment retailers to make efforts to promote and disseminate energy-saving information. Measures include labelling and publicity of products' annual power consumption values or fuel economy. New goods are added to the Top Runner standard.
Promulgated in August 2005, these amendments entered into force in April 2006.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2008-11-24 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The 2005 revision of the
Energy Conservation Law introduced new and reinforced
labelling provisions for appliances. Labels must now contain information on the appliance's
expected electricity cost or fuel usage information. The new comparative rating system is presented as
five-star rating, and provides consumers with the information needed to compare across products in the same category. Fuel or electricity cost information is now required for three designated products:
air conditioners,
electric refrigerators and
TV sets.
Use of labels indicating energy efficiency levels for other appliances are to be provided on a voluntary basis. However the revised Energy Conservation Law makes it necessary for retailers to make efforts to provide information concerning energy conservation features of products. Certain products have labels indicating both energy conservation standard achievement and expected annual electricity bill and annual fuel usage (Electric freezers, lights, electric toilet seats, gas cooking appliances, gas and oil water heaters). Computers, magnetic disk units, space heaters and transformers can be labelled according to energy conservation standard, while electric rice cookers, microwave ovens, video casette and DVD recorders are covered by expected annual electricity bill and annual fuel usage labels.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-11-22 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The New National Energy Strategy was released in May 2006 which specified five featured fields as the focus for future energy security. This includes energy efficiency and conservation policy with specific measures, and a target of achieving 30% energy efficiency improvement by 2030.
Listed measures include:
- Establishment a state-of-the-art energy supply-demand structure, with the aim to reduce oil dependence to less than 40% by 2030, from the current approximately 50%. Measures include to address this aim include:
i) Energy Conservation Frontrunner Plan
ii) Transport Energy for the Next Generation Plan
iii) New Energy Innovation Plan
iv) Nuclear Power National Plan
- Comprehensive Strengthening of Resource Diplomacy and Energy and Environment
Cooperation, including via:
i) Comprehensive Strategy for Securing Resources
ii) Asia Energy and Environment Cooperation Strategy
- Enhancement of Emergency Response Measures such as the revision and strengthening of the oil stockpiling system and preparation of the emergency response system for natural gas.
- In order to promote cooperation between the public and private sectors, technological challenges to be solved by 2030 will be summarised in the energy technology strategy.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Thu, 2008-11-20 10:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
The 2005 revised Energy Conservation Law provided guidelines for measures to be taken by energy suppliers. These must make every effort to provide consumers with information, so as to promote the rational use of energy. Such measures can take various forms, as detailed below.
Energy suppliers can provide consumers with information about :
- their monthly energy consumption amount on a year-to-year basis
- their monthly energy consumption amount and costs in the past year
They can also provide consumers with an estimate of the energy reduction and cost reduction achieved through the improved efficiency of energy using equipment. Information on the efficiency level of various equipment based on a comparison of energy consumption, and the various subsidies that are available to assist in their up-take, can also be provided.
In addition to the above, energy suppliers can develop their own informational tools to promote the rational use of energy, such as information on the energy consumption amount shown by subscription types and housing types.
Certain energy suppliers are required to publish an annual statement, reporting on what kind of information was provided and how. This obligation applies to the general electricity companies stipulated in Article 2, Paragraph 1, item 2 of the Electricity Business Act (Act No. 170 of 1964) and who installed more than one million electricity meters in their supply territories. It also applies to the general gas companies stipulated in Article 2 of Paragraph 2 of the Gas Business Act (Act No. 51 of 1954), and who installed more than one million gas meters in their supply territories.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-11-18 10:00
Year: 2005
Policy Status: In force
In March 2005, the Energy Supply and Demand Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy submitted a report regarding the 2010 and 2030
forecast for energy supply and demand in Japan. The current Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan was formulated taking into account the prospect of 2010 energy demand and supply (Cabinet decision of April 28 2005).
According to the 2030 prospect, the growth of Japan's energy demand is projected to slow down and reach a peak in FY2021. After FY 2021, the demand is projected to begin decreasing. Also, the prospect shows that there is energy conservation potential of an approximately 50 million kL reduction (crude oil equivalent) by the practical use and dissemination of energy conservation technology.
As the Kyoto Protocol’s first target period commenceds in April 2008, the government will re-evaluate the effect of both energy demand and supply measures specified by the 'Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan' and evaluate the effect of the additional measures. The government will amend the prospect of the 2010 energy demand and supply structure and will start discussion on the prospect for 2030 in parallel.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sun, 2008-11-16 10:00
Year: 2005
Policy Status: In force
Since Japan ratified the Kyoto Protocol in June 2002, it began promoting the implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including measures for energy conservation and new forms of energy, based on the Outline for Promotion of Efforts to Prevent Global Warming (2002).
The Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming stipulates that a plan for reaching the target should be established when the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect. In response to the protocol coming into effect in February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan was established, succeeding the Outline for Promotion of Efforts to Prevent Global Warming as a result of its evaluation and review in FY2004 (Cabinet decision of 28 April 2005).
The goals of this plan are to fulfill the commitment of 6% reduction and to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally and continuously over a long term. In addition, this plan contains the following items as its basic concepts:
- environmental conservation consistent with economic development
- the promotion of technological innovation
- the participation of all actors and partnerships between them, ensuring transparency and information sharing to ensure participation and partnership
- the use of various policy tools, with an emphasis on the process of PDCA (plan-do-check-action), and an international partnership for the implementation of measures to address global warming
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Fri, 2008-11-14 10:00
Year: 2005
Policy Status: In force
The main points of this amendment are as follows:
- Establishment of the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Conservation by law
- Development of the Kyoto Achievement Plan
- Stipulation of the establishment and implementation of countermeasures by local governments
This law requires the increase of work that is under the control of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters, and requires those who emit more than a certain amount of global warming gases to assess and report the global warming gas emissions to the government. It also requires the government to introduce the system to compile and publish these data reported to the government.
Outline of legislative bills :
- Increasing the clerical work that is under the control of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters
- Reports of global warming gas emissions
-
- Those who emit a fairly large amount of global warming gases (designated emitters) in performing their business activities (including clerical work and businesses in the public sector) shall submit to the minister responsible a report of the annual amount of global warming gas emissions emitted from each workplace.
- The minister responsible shall notify both the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Minister of Environment of the information reported and the calculation results of the reported data. When notifying such results, the ministers responsible shall provide the designated emitters with appropriate protection of their rights and interests.
- Both the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry shall record the reports notified by the minister responsible in computer files, and shall summarize and publish these reports. Anyone shall have a right to request the disclosure of information recorded in those files.
- Designated emitters shall have a right to provide the information about the fluctuation of emissions as well as other information, which can help to understand the published or disclosed information.
- The periodical reports relating to the amount of CO2 emissions required by the Energy Conservation Law shall be considered as the report under this law that regulates the amount of CO2 emissions emitted by the use of energy. The effective date of this legislative bill is scheduled to be on April 1, 2006 (regarding the reports described in [1], it is scheduled to be effective on the reports submitted after fiscal 2007).
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