Enigin Update - Energy Cuts Lifted but Japan needs to Continue Energy Efficiency Efforts
THE Japanese government is to lift mandatory cuts in electricity consumption by large scale users ahead of schedule due to summers peak period passing and energy efficiency efforts.
Asahi Shimbun report that restrictions on power use were lifted at the end of last week in areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, with restrictions for other areas to be removed at the end of this week.
The government claim the reason for the early lifting of restrictions, is partly due to the summer peak demand period now having passed.
The summer also proved to be ideal for the country’s efforts to cut energy use, as during July and August the number of days when temperatures rose above 30 degrees or higher, were down by 30 percent compared to the previous year.
Asahi report that much of the credit for the lack of blackouts or other major energy problems due to reduced power generation capacity should go to the energy efficiency efforts by corporate and individual users.
In the region covered by the Tokyo Electric Power Co., for instance, power consumption reached a peak of 49.22 gigawatts, which was 10 gigawatts less than the previous summer's high, with the average peak demand on weekdays was over 20 percent less than last summer. The actual energy saving was much more substantial than the 15 percent reduction the government had called for.
Much of Japanese industry shifted part of their weekday operations to Saturdays and Sundays, resulting in the car manufacturing industry cutting its combined electricity consumption by the equivalent of the output of two to three nuclear reactors. Added to this were the efforts to save energy in offices, such as reducing the use of lighting and air-conditioning, which also provided a substantial drop in demand.
The power saving drive also brought lower energy costs, while also offering productivity gains due to reductions in unnecessary meetings and more energy efficient working and processes.
The question over restarting the Japanese nuclear reactors which have had their regular inspections completed currently remains unclear, leaving the power supply situation facing a precarious future, with winters increased demand threatening power shortages.
The situation still requires the strenuous energy efficiency and energy saving efforts that have been made so far, with continuing attempts to change the ways the country works and lives to maintain the benefits.
Asahi claim that taking the effective steps to lower peak demand by industry and individuals helped bolster efficiency in power generation and made the Japanese economy as a whole more energy efficient. With the lessons learned from this summers energy efficiency campaign it should lead to greater efforts to incorporate economic incentives for consumption cuts into the power supply system.
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Picture of Tokyo by Retinafunk reproduced under CCL.
