Public Power - November 2008 - (Page 33)

vided by renewable energy sources. In 2003, Japan’s renewable generating capacity was 7.32 terawatts. The RPS requires the nation’s electricity generators to nearly double that capacity to 14.10 terawatts by 2012. Japan’s efforts to encourage the use of renewable energy sources were not limited to this national RPS, though. Initiatives were undertaken at all levels of society to encourage the adoption of alternative en- vehicle stops and turn it on, again, when the driver presses on the accelerator. This antiidling technology is estimated to increase fuel efficiency by 10 to 15 percent. The Top Runner Program is perhaps one of the most innovative and successful energy efficiency programs instituted in Japan. The Top Runner Program requires manufacturers of consumer appliances, such as TVs, refrigerator or air conditioners, cording to the IEA, in 2007, Japan emitted just 0.24 kilograms of carbon dioxide per unit of gross domestic product. The United States, by comparison, emitted 0.53 and the global average is 0.75. All this energy efficiency has economic benefits, as well. Japan has become a world leader in solar cells, hybrid cars, fuel cell technology and energy-efficient consumer appliances. Many of these innovations can People were encouraged to follow the three Rs—recycle, reuse and reduce—and practice mottainai, which simply means not to be wasteful. ergy. Local governments launched initiatives to promote “biomass towns,” communities that would recycle a large percentage of biomass waste and use it as energy. They encouraged the adoption of household solar panels by providing subsidies for residents who wanted to purchase solar panels, and provided a means for selling excess electricity back to generators. To generate and use electricity more efficiently, the government also provided subsidies to encourage cogeneration. Today, Japan is a world leader in cogeneration, the practice of generating part of a community’s electricity needs locally, rather than pulling all of its energy off the national grid. According to Wartsila’s Energy News magazine, Japan’s integration of large central power plants with localized generation—cogeneration—is more efficient, particularly in cases where communities or factories have energy demands that can vary greatly during the daylight hours. In 2007, Japan had nearly 8,000 sites with cogenerators and total cogeneration capacity of nearly 9,000 MW. In the transportation sector, Japan has promoted the use of hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles. Today, Toyota makes the world’s most successful hybrid, the Prius, and Honda makes the world’s most advanced hydrogen-powered car, the FCX Clarity. (They can now be leased in California.) Japanese car manufacturers have also pioneered the use of anti-idling technology in their vehicles. A car with an anti-idling system will turn off the engine when the www.APPAnet.org to produce appliances that are at least as energy efficient as the most efficient, comparable model currently manufactured. As a result of this program, Japan today produces the world’s most energy-efficient consumer appliances. Energy efficiency has become the clarion call of Japanese society. Education programs have been launched at every level of Japanese society to encourage energy efficiency. Citizens have been encouraged to take public transportation whenever possible; nearly 50 percent of Japanese citizens use public transportation. The Cool Biz/Warm Biz campaigns encouraged businesses to raise the thermostat during the summer and lower it during the winter. From 2005 to 2006, the Japanese government estimates this resulted in a 2.5 million ton reduction in carbon dioxide. People were encouraged to follow the three Rs—recycle, reuse and reduce—and practice mottainai, which simply means not to be wasteful. Today, Japan recycles 80 percent of cans, 60 percent of paper, 80 percent of glass bottles and 45 percent of plastic bottles. And Japan poured money into research. According to the International Energy Agency, Japan spends more on energy sector research and development than any other country. In 2005, Japan spent $3.9 billion. The United States spent $3.1 billion and the European Union spent only $1.25 billion. All of these efforts have yielded significant results. Japan is probably the most energy-efficient nation on earth, now. Ac- be directly attributed to Japan’s energy efficiency initiatives. But the question remains: Will Japan meet the Kyoto Protocol? Japan’s energy efficiency efforts have halted growth of carbon dioxide emissions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Japan is projected to have zero growth in greenhouse gas emissions through the year 2030. While this is a significant accomplishment, reducing emissions remains an unmet goal. According to the Japan’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office, in 2006, the most recent year for which emission data are available, Japan’s carbon dioxide emissions were 1,340 metric tons, almost exactly equal to emissions in 2003. Unfortunately, this means in order to meet the reduction requirements of the Kyoto Protocol, Japan will have to make greater use of emission credits earn through emissions-reduction projects in other countries. Japan realizes that energy efficiency measures, though highly effective and beneficial, are not enough. Now, the nation is working on new legislation to help reduce emissions. The proposed Japanese Emissions Trading System—JETS— is a cap-and-trade system. ❚ Ron Keith is manager of IT support for the American Public Power Association. This article was written as part of his graduate studies in public policy at George Mason University. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 33 http://www.APPAnet.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - November 2008

Public Power - November 2008 Contents Perspective 10 Questions Capturing Knowledge Before It Retires Jackson’s GIS Search Keeping a Job Journal Japan Tackles the Kyoto Protocol Getting to 20 by 10 Damless Hydro Power Earthquake: The Hidden Disaster For Engineers Safety For Governing Boards DEED Hometown Connections Parting Shot

Public Power - November 2008

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