日本ガス協会

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News Letter

Vol.13
JGA Newsletter
Headline
Changes in JGA Board of Directors

On June 10, Mitsunori Torihara, Chairman of Tokyo Gas, was elected to serve as Chairman of JGA after Norio Ichino. On July 15, Kenji Ikejima was appointed Managing Director at JGA after Hirofumi Kyutoku. The new Board of Directors is headed by Chairman Torihara and the following members:
Mr. Mitsunori Torihara,Chairman
Mr. Mitsunori Torihara,
Chairman
Vice Chairman Hiroshi Ozaki (President, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.)
Vice Chairman Kotaro Mizuno (Chairman, Toho Gas Co., Ltd.)
Vice Chairman Hiroki Ogawa (Chairman, Saibu Gas Co., Ltd.)
Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Director Haruki Takahashi
Managing Director Norikazu Hoshino
Managing Director Kenji Ikejima


>>> Summary of Comments Made at a Press Conference by Norio Ichino, Outgoing Chairman of the Japan Gas Association

>>> Summary of Comments Made at a Press Conference by Mitsunori Torihara, New Chairman of the Japan Gas Association

JGA News
Cabinet Approves a New Basic Energy Plan

At a cabinet meeting on June 18, the Government approved a new Basic Energy Plan. In accordance with the Basic Act on Energy Policy, the Basic Energy Plan will guide the Government in supporting the long-term, comprehensive and systematic implementation of policies for energy supply and demand, and has to be reviewed at least once every three years. This time, the vision to be achieved by 2030 and the goals of policies were discussed from the three perspectives of energy security, countermeasures against global warming, and the efficient energy use.

The approved draft of the new Basic Energy Plan includes the following among the list of energy-related targets to be achieved by 2030: (1) Expanding the share of self-procured* energy supplies to 70% (from 38% at present); (2) expanding the share of zero-emission power in the generation mix to 70%; and (3) halving CO2 emissions from the residential sector. It is estimated that achieving these targets would reduce CO2 emissions in 2030 by 30% from the 1990 level (40% down from the 2007 level).

The new Basic Energy Plan states that, as strategies to achieve the targets, "the maximum use of non-fossil energy (nuclear power, renewables, etc.)" should be combined with efforts to "ensure a stable supply and promote the advanced use of fossil energy", which is expected to remain a significant energy supply even in the future.

It is also acknowledged that expanding the use of natural gas is a valid strategy for reducing CO2emissions because natural gas emits the least CO2 among fossil fuels, and because greater use of natural gas strengthens energy security because of the widespread sources of supply (geographical diversity, development of new supply options such as shale gas, etc.). Thus, the new Basic Energy Plan defines the role of natural gas as follows: "Since it is an important energy option for creating a low-carbon society, efforts should be made to shift to natural gas by implementing strategies such as ensuring a stable supply by acquiring upstream rights, expanding the use of natural gas in industry as a substitute for other fossil fuels, promoting the use of natural gas in cogeneration systems, and accelerating the development of fuel cell technologies and spreading their use in Japan and overseas." Specific policies now need to be introduced to encourage this shift to natural gas.

It was acknowledged that Japan will require a total investment of 131 trillion yen to reduce CO2emissions by 30% from the 1990 level by 2030. Since this will greatly affect people's lives and economic activities, the Government will need to help people understand and to transform their attitudes.

*Note: The term "self-procured energy" refers to indigenous energy supplies, nuclear power, and overseas resources developed by Japan on its own.


Declaration of the Intent to Standardize Eco-Joez by 2013

On June 10, the Japan Gas Energy Promotion Council (commonly known as COLLABO) and the Japan Industrial Association of Gas and Kerosene Applications (JGKA) declared their intent to make Eco-Joez (condensing boiler systems) the de facto standard for all domestic gas appliance manufacturers as a part of their strategy to help create a low-carbon society. By March 2013, virtually all gas water heating systems sold in Japan will be Eco-Joez.*1

Switching from a conventional gas water heater to a highly efficient and environment-friendly Eco-Joez with energy-saving advantages reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 13%. By the end of March 2010, total shipments of Eco-Joez reached 1,586,000 units, which are estimated to have helped reduce CO2 emissions by about 350,000 tons.*2 Our target is 20 million units installed by 2020, by which time the total contribution to CO2 emissions reduction will be about 4.45 million CO2 tons per year.

Using a common logo for the standardization of Eco-Joez by 2013, we will conduct public relations activities to capture the attention of customers. We will also maintain our partnerships with other related industries and associations as we try to strengthen the appeal of comfortable living with gas and as we continue to take actions to help create a low-carbon society.

Declaration of the Intent to Standardize Eco-Joez by 2013

Notes:
*1: This applies to all outdoor-installed forced-draft type (RF type) and indoor-installed forced-draft type (FF type) water heating systems with Class 16 capacity or higher.
Conventional water heaters will remain available for replacement at existing collective housing facilities. Conventional water heaters for particular types of installation (balance type boilers for bathtubs, small water heaters, etc.) will also remain available.

*2: This assumes the CO2 saving of condensing boiler systems to be about 222.6 kg-CO2/household per year.


City Gas Symposium 2010

The JGA hosted City Gas Symposium 2010 in Tokyo on June 8. This symposium is held each year to exchange information among city gas utilities and related industries, through presentations on the latest trends in the city gas industry and the latest developments in city gas technology. The main theme for this year was "The future of natural gas and the development of technologies for a low-carbon society." With many presentations and information exchange sessions on the theme of "a low-carbon society," the symposium helped to disseminate information and messages concerning the future of city gas industry.

This year, the symposium began with a keynote speech and featured 29 oral presentations, three workshops, 62 poster presentations, 19 award displays (technological grand prix, technological awards and excellent-paper awards) and special lectures. The symposium was attended by 1,602 persons from JGA's member gas utilities and the associated members, etc. The next City Gas Symposium will be held in Tokyo in June 2011. Links to three of the presented papers which may be of particular interest to readers of JGA Newsletter, are included below.

>>> Development of SOLAMO, the Gas-Fired Hot Water System Utilizing Solar Power

>>> Development of "Ene-Look Plus" (HEMS) at Osaka Gas

>>> Development of Ultra Compact GHP

City Gas Sales in FY2009

The total domestic gas sales in FY2009 (for 211 gas utilities in Japan) was 33,837 million m3(assuming 41.8605 MJ/m3), down 1.9% from the previous fiscal year. Thus, annual gas sales fell year on year for a second consecutive year since FY2008.

By sector:

- Annual gas sales in the residential sector fell by 0.2% from the previous fiscal year due to causes such as the warm weather from April to June 2009, which decreased the demand for gas for water heating. (Annual gas sales in the residential sector fell from the previous fiscal year for the second consecutive fiscal year.)
- Annual gas sales in the industry sector fell by 3.1% from a year ago. The demand began to recover toward the end of the fiscal year but industrial activity remained low throughout the year up to October. (Annual gas sales in the industry sector fell year on year for the second consecutive year. The sales in FY2009 declined by 8.0% from FY2007.)
- Annual gas sales in the commercial sector fell by 3.0% from the previous fiscal year due to causes such as less demand for air conditioning due to the cool summer and sluggish commercial activity throughout the year. Annual gas sales in the miscellaneous sector (hospitals, public facilities, etc.) rose by 1.2% from the previous fiscal year thanks to the cultivation of new demand. (Annual gas sales in the commercial sector fell from the previous fiscal year for the second consecutive fiscal year. Annual gas sales in the miscellaneous sector grew from the previous fiscal year after two fiscal years.)

By region:

- Regional gas sales grew or fell by the following percentages from the previous fiscal year: +6.2% in Hokkaido, +1.0% in Tohoku, -2.3% in Kanto-Koshinetsu, -1.1% in Chubu-Hokuriku, -3.4% in Kinki, +7.4% in Chugoku, +3.0% in Shikoku, and -1.9% in Kyushu-Okinawa.

The total number of customers is now 28,772 thousand, up 0.6% from the previous fiscal year.

Gas Facts in Japan 2009

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The Japan Gas Association
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Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
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