JGA Hosts City Gas Symposium 2014 On June 11, the Japan Gas Association (JGA) hosted the City Gas Symposium 2014 in Tokyo. This symposium is held every year to provide an opportunity for city gas utilities and related parties to share information through presentations describing the latest trends in the city gas industry and research on cutting-edge technologies.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 transformed energy policy and consumer's attitudes. After the disaster, city gas utilities faced a major turning point, and they have been required to deliver a new customer value and to satisfy demand for increased energy safety and security. In order to help city gas utilities overcome these new challenges, this year's symposium tackled a range of fields and approaches to the use of technological innovations for the creation of a new epoch. The symposium was consisted of 25 presentations, a panel discussion (on the subject of "reframing" thinking to unlock innovation), and an exhibition of 90 posters and 13 technology grand prize and award winners. The event was attended by a total of 1,630 participants from city gas utilities, supporting members, and other related organizations. This year, the symposium started with a keynote speech delivered by Mr. Chihiro Tobe, Director of the Japanese Agency for Natural Resources and Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Promotion Office. He explained efforts to create a hydrogen society. This was followed by presentations selected by the JGA, beginning with reviews of some initiatives by Tokyo Gas: the real-world trials being carried out at its Isogo Smart House, progress on developing smart meters, and development of a 100% steam gas engine cogeneration system that realizes high efficiency in both electricity generation and waste heat recycling. After this came presentations on the test-bedding of next-generation energy systems for Osaka Gas's NEXT21 experimental apartment housing project, and the use of simulation technology in the energy business. Next up was Toho Gas, which showcased the latest developments in technologies to improve the efficiency of gas heat pumps. There were also presentations and poster displays on the latest trends in the development of new technologies. Below are summaries of five of the papers that were delivered at the symposium. >>> Demonstration of Next-Generation Energy System through NEXT 21 Habitation Experiment >>> Technology Trends on the Latest GHPs >>> Gas engine CGS that generates high-pressure steam utilizing waste heat from cooling water >>> Development of HYSERVE Hydrogen Generators for Hydrogen Stations >>> Development of New Model in the ENE-FARM Series of Residential Fuel Cell Systems

International Gas Union (IGU) Program Committee (PGC) D meeting held in Osaka A meeting of the International Gas Union (IGU) Program Committee (PGC) D (Chair: Mr. Dirk van Slooten / Vice Chair: Mr. Masanori Oki) was held in Osaka from May 13 to 16, hosted by Osaka Gas. The total of 45 members from 20 countries participated in the meeting. PGC member countries take turns hosting the committee's meetings which are held twice a year. PGCs are tasked with investigating and researching specific topics and reporting their findings at the triennial World Gas Conference. PGC D chair: Mr. Dirk van Slooten PGC D is one of the IGU's six program committees and is responsible for surveying and researching LNG-related topics ranging from marketing to engineering. In this meeting, PGC D members prepared for reporting at the World Gas Conference to be held in Paris next June. They confirmed progress on each of the four topics being studied-(1) remote LNG, (2) LNG as fuel, (3) small-scale LNG, and (4) LNG lifecycle analysis-and considered the details of study and draft papers, as well as future ways of proceeding discussions. They also ironed out any differences of opinions between members.

Additionally, PGC D members started discussion of the content and composition of the "IGU World LNG Report 2015" for which they are responsible. This widely cited report is published annually, and the 2015 edition will be published next spring. The meeting was followed by a tour of Osaka Gas's Semboku Terminal as one of the company's LNG receiving facilities. The next meeting is to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in September. Participants at a welcome reception held at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka on May 13

Expanded Diffusion of Distributed Energy Systems in Japan -Role of integrated DHC and CHP technologies- Please find attached presentation slides given by Motohiro Sei, Energy System Department of the Association on the occasion of the International Energy Agency's CHP/DHC Strategic Workshop on May 27 and 28. >>> Expanded diffusion of distributed energy systems in Japan -Role of integrated DHC and CHP technologies-

City Gas Sales in FY2013 (April 1,2013-March 31,2014) FY 2013 domestic gas sales (by 209 gas utilities nationwide) totaled 36,694 million m3 (41.8605 MJ/m3), up 1.1% from the previous fiscal year. The total sales rose for the fourth consecutive year to post a new record high again. By sector: - Residential sector gas sales decreased by 2.5% to 9,554 million m3. The residential sales reflect weaker demand for hot water as the temperature in winter season was higher than average (down for the first time in four years). - Commercial sector gas sales decreased by 0.6% to 4,472 million m3. The commercial sector sales reflect weaker demand for air conditioning because the average temperature in winter season was higher than average (down for the first time in two years). - Miscellaneous sector gas sales (hospitals, public facilities, etc.) rose by 1.3% to 3,037 million m3 (Industrial sector sales rose for the second consecutive year.) - Industrial sector gas sales rose by 3.2% to 19,631 million m3. The sales increased with higher operating rates at customer facilities and efforts of developing demand. (Industrial sector sales rose for the fourth consecutive year.) By region: - The changes in annual gas sales from the previous fiscal year by region were as follows: +1.1% in Hokkaido, +0.1% in Tohoku, +1.5% in Kanto-Koshinetsu, +0.7% in Chubu-Hokuriku, +0.2% in Kinki, +0.7% in Chugoku, +0.2% in Shikoku, and +1.5% in Kyushu-Okinawa. Information: >>> Gas Facts in Japan 2013

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