Electricity_Supply_JAPAN_text

(2) Write a paragraph explaining why and how your country is using one particular (most important or interesting source of renewable energy to generate electricity (or other, e.g. fuel).

Right now the highest production of renewable energy in Japan corresponds to hydropower, however the potential places for that kind of energy source are already being used or too difficult to develop. Changes in the policy of Japan regarding the clean and renewable energy have encouraged the promotion of sustainable strategies that include also the problem of waste. Japan is known for being a high-consumption country, which also means high production of waste per capita (410 kgs per person per year according to OECD Environmental Data Compendium: 2002), and coupled this with the fact that the area in Japan for disposal fields is not so big the Biomass Nippon Strategy was proposed for dealing with the municipal waste. This strategy deals with four main objectives: a) Prevention of Global Warming, (b) Creation of a Recycling-Oriented Society, (c) Fostering of New Strategic Industries with Competitive Edges, and (d) Activation of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery, as well as Associated Rural Communities. The first one is directly related with energy issues, because by means of using biomass for producing “carbon neutral” energy, this will lead to the replacement of energy and products derived from fossil fuels with alternatives, and thus to mitigation of carbon dioxide release. It is supposed that the total amount of energy content in waste biomass, unused biomass, and energy crops (these three are the targets for energy production in the long run) is approximately 1,300PJ of energy equivalent (equivalent to 35 million kl of crude oil), or different said 33 million tons of carbon equivalents (equivalent to 3.3 times as much as the total amount of carbon contained in the plastic materials produced in Japan).

(3)What are the biggest potentials concerning renewable energy production in our country and what obstacles hinder a higher degree of their use now or in the future?

In Japan, renewable energy is used, because Japan aims to build a low carbon economy model as soon as they can. Japan has proposed the measure of “Cool Earth 50” globally, and is aiming to decrease emission of CO2 into half until 2050. In order to accomplish this, they need to switch to renewable energy from the one we now use.

However, Japan is far behind in using it because of the energy policy, comparing to other developed countries.

Since Japan has been depending on other countries’ energy resources, it is thought that renewable energy will be necessary to make a new period. Also, to flaunt the nation’s power by technology, Photovoltaic energy is hot in Japan.

Energy-saving measure is now firmly established in our life. However, renewable energy is not. The first reason for this is because of its high cost. While thermal power generation costs 8~yen per 1kWh, wind power generation costs more than 25 yen per 1kWh, and Photovoltaic energy costs more than 70yen per 1kWh. It costs more than 1millions to introduce phototoxic power to general residences, and this high cost are being a burden for general citizens. Japan is required to make a high-efficiency solar battery in a low price.

The second reason is a causal relationship between the government and electricity companies. To spread renewable energies (in Japan, especially Photovoltaic energy), it is necessary for the Japanese government to take an active role. However, it is said that rising of renewable energy will take away the profit of Japanese electric power companies. Therefore, government which is connected deeply with electricity companies cannot carry out the plan actively.

The third reason is that we don’t have enough land. In order to introduce renewable energy, Japan needs a lot of lands. However, most of the places in Japan are covered with mountains and forests. Thus, to set up a renewable energy, we need to reclaim land. However, if we destroy forest, it might make the environment worse.