(1) Specific efforts to accelerate a shift to natural gas to help build
a low-carbon society and support the growth strategy
| 1) |
Activities in Japan and abroad to increase understanding about the advantages
of natural gas
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We help the public and various sectors to appreciate the advantages of
natural gas with its abundant supply including shale gas, utilization projects,
the excellence of appliances, systems and technologies for using natural
gas, as well as its effects on reducing CO2 emissions. To achieve this,
we consult with administrators and experts, distribute information through
the mass media, conduct the With Gas campaign with the help of associated
industries, and hold seminars for the younger generation and those involved
in education. Through such activities and networking initiatives, and with
the commitment of all the JGA members, we are raising public understanding
and gathering information.
Debate continues concerning the bill on the Basic Act on Global Warming
Countermeasures and the post-Kyoto framework, and we will continue to make
industry-wide efforts under voluntary action plans to help Japan fulfill
its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol. Moreover, in response to the Action
Plan towards a Low-carbon Society, which was drawn up by the Japan Business
Federation, we will prepare an action plan for the city gas industry for
creating a low-carbon society by constructing mid- to long-term scenarios
for energy conservation and lower CO2 emissions.
We will strengthen our partnerships with energy and gas related agencies
and organizations overseas to stay abreast of the latest news from globally
influential organizations and institutions about international frameworks,
and we will also ensure that the advantages of natural gas and natural
gas utilization systems are properly appreciated. The JGA is a member of
the International Gas Union (IGU) and the Gas Information Exchange in the
Western Pacific Area (GASEX).
We will work to strengthen these international networks and use them for collecting and distributing information. |
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| 2) |
Implementing the gas industry’s growth strategy, which was revised in line
with new trends in government policies on energy and the environment
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We will discuss with stakeholders and distribute information to help create
smart energy networks including the greater use of distributed energy systems
to strengthen energy security and prepare for the growth of the city gas
industry by enhancing engineering skills and by providing comprehensive
energy services. |
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| 3) |
Improving the supply security and preparing the infrastructure for creating
a low-carbon society
- Expanding the full range of gas supply infrastructure, ranging from feedstock
and production, to pipelines -
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To prepare the gas supply infrastructure required for accommodating a
shift to natural gas, we will attend council meetings and distribute information,
and help to solve economic, institutional and other issues. |
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(2)Promoting the use of natural gas by technological development and business
creation
| 1) |
Initiatives to support the realization of the “Future Environmental City”
concept
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We try to ensure that city gas utilities work toward the “Future Environmental
City” concept included in the New Growth Strategy of the government, taking
it as a new opportunity for expansion of the city gas business. We are
therefore focusing on introducing distributed energy systems that will
help strengthen energy security, by creating business models that extend
beyond the conventional city gas business, such as combining renewable
energy options with natural gas, and assisting the introduction of smart
energy networks. We will also examine ways of.spreading such businesses
to the regional gas utilities.
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| 2) |
Supporting the creation of a hydrogen-based society
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Anticipating the domestic release of fuel cell vehicles in 2015, we will
discuss the deployment of fuel cell vehicles through the amendment of regulations
and improvement of infrastructure, to enable the practical use of hydrogen
stations.
Moreover, with a long-term vision of creating a hydrogen-based society,
we will conduct technical studies for establishing technical guidelines
concerning the distribution of hydrogen through pipelines under the gas
utility law.
Furthermore, to expand the use of residential fuel cell systems, we will
try to reduce their costs, continue to improve ENE-FARM as a national brand
of natural gas fuel cell system, and work to ease regulations on stationary
fuel cells.
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(3) Accelerating a shift to natural gas and promoting its advanced use
| 1) |
Promoting the use of natural gas as an alternative to other fossil fuels
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Using natural gas instead of other fossil fuels as a source of industrial
heat is a quick and cost-efficient way of reducing CO2 emissions, and may
also help Japanese firms become more competitive. To enable this shift,
we are creating a program for improving our engineering skills and developing
highly efficient systems such as regenerative burners that reduce CO2 emissions
even further.
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| 2) |
Promoting greater use of highly-efficient gas appliances and systems
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In addition to decarbonization, in order to address the emerging need
for peak shaving of electricity demand in eastern Japan, we will promote
the use of gas appliances and systems.
a. Fuel cell systems and highly efficient gas water heaters for residential
use
To encourage the installation of residential fuel cell systems (ENE-FARM)
and highly efficient water heaters (Eco-Jozu and Eco-Will), we will conduct
PR activities that emphasize their advantages.
We also encourage the use of solar energy by introducing solar heat assisted
gas water heating systems, for example. As a member of the Japan Gas Energy
Promotion Council (COLLABO), we will continue to support the activities
of the Solar Energy Utilization and Promotion Forum which promotes solar-assisted
systems, and will help solve both policy and technological issues.
b. CHP and gas air conditioning systems
We will continue to promote city gas CHP systems that play a crucial role
in distributed energy networks, by reducing the cost to improve their economic
efficiency. In addition, we will ensure that the reduction of CO2 emissions
through energy saving by using natural gas CHP systems, etc. is properly
accounted for in the design of various institutional arrangements.
Gas heat pump (GHP) systems and other types of gas air conditioning systems
will help shave the peak of electricity demand and overcome the present
shortage of electric power in Japan. We will actively promote such gas
air conditioning systems and pursue further progress by combining them
with renewable energy (e.g. solar cooling) and collecting information from
overseas.
c. Gas appliances in commercial kitchens
We will promote the use of city gas fired commercial kitchen appliances
through public relation campaigns that emphasize their superiority in cooking
performance and economic efficiency, and the advantages of special design
features to keep the kitchen comfortably cool, while improving the safety
of these appliances.
d. Natural gas vehicles
We expect the government to encourage the use of natural gas vehicles
as a national policy not only for transportation within cities but also
for intercity transportation. We have therefore conducted campaigns to
encourage both consignees and transport companies to use natural gas vehicles,
supported the technological development of large trucks fueled by natural
gas, and tried to increase the number of natural gas filling stations.
In promoting greater use of natural gas vehicles, we emphasize their advantages
in terms of energy security, in the transportation area which is highly
dependent on petroleum, as well as the environmental compatibility of natural
gas.
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| 3) |
Expanding the use of renewable energy
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We are promoting the advanced use of city gas in combination with renewable
energy. Specific examples include the advanced use of biogas at its place
of origin (from methane fermentation or from partial combustion) by CHP
systems and the injection of biogas into city gas distribution lines.
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| 4) |
Seeking the optimum energy mix for residential and commercial customers
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We will emphasize the important role of city gas in configuring the optimum
energy mix as we try to strengthen our ties with customers mainly through
the following activities.
a. Enhancing cross-industrial activities and strengthening partnerships
For effectively proposing comfortable lifestyles with gas, and to help
the industry contribute to the global environment and to energy security,
we will continue to enhance our cross-industrial activities within the
frameworks of the WITH GAS Club, the Japan Gas Energy Promotion Council
(COLLABO) and KB&G COLLABO, for example, and strengthen partnerships
with associated industries. We will also promote the With Gas campaign
to the public and related industries.
b. Expanding the use of highly efficient and functional gas appliances
We seek the de facto standardization of highly efficient gas water heaters
that are aligned with the government’s energy and housing policies. As
a COLLABO member, we support the activities of the Highly-Efficient Gas
Water Heater De Facto Standard Study Group as it works to unify appliance
names and coordinate efforts to solve technological challenges, preparing
the right environment for the widespread use of highly-efficient gas water
heaters. By 2013, we expect to achieve the target of ensuring that almost
all newly installed gas water heaters are Eco-Jozu water heaters. Our additional
activities include the standardization of highly efficient and functional
appliances such as Si sensor cooking stoves. To deliver additional security,
we will also develop and promote self-powered gas appliance systems that
remain unaffected by power interruptions.
c. Supporting “food education”
We actively support “food education” and contribute to society by organizing,
through the WITH GAS Club, events like the National Family Cooking Contest
and seminars, and by producing relevant tools. We will use these opportunities
to show the public the merits of “cooking by flame” and the ease of cooking
with Si sensor cooking stoves.
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