CO2 HEAT PUMPS KEY APPLICATIONS FOR NATURAL REFRIGERANTS IN JAPAN
Policy drivers for natural refrigerants in heat pumps GOVERNMENT PLAYING KEY ROLE IN MARKET ACCELERATION High-level government support has been a major factor in the success of EcoCute CO2
turers eligible to receive grants for technology R&D activities, but a governmental subsidy
HWHP in Japan. To draw lessons from Japan’s rapid market adoption of natural refriger-
scheme for buyers – seeking to halve the price difference between an EcoCute and a
ant-based heat pump technology, this short overview of the country’s effective support
conventional boiler, was also established in 2002.
scheme from 2002 until today serves as a good example for other countries to follow.
Each year, the amount of the subsidy decreased in proportion to the decrease in the price
First, the Japanese government’s role in raising awareness among market players was in-
of the Eco Cute. After 2006, the subsidy scheme was changed to a fixed amount of sup-
strumental in the early market adoption stage. The “Energy-Saving Grand Prize”, an annual
port (around 59,000 yen), which decreased gradually. In 2010, subsidies for household and
government-affiliated award for excellent products and technology developed by Japanese
commercial entities buying EcoCute heat pumps became available under the ‘Eco-Point
institutions, was awarded to the EcoCute in 2001. When the technology was introduced, the
Programme’, which was introduced back in 2009 as a time-limited measure for energy-ef-
award served as a governmental seal of approval of its effectiveness and reliability.
ficient appliances. In response to the negative impact of the 2011 earthquake on EcoCute
In 2005, the government announced a target of installing 5.2 million units by 2010 under the “Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan”. This national plan noted that local governments were expected to take the initiative in introducing CO2 heat pump water heaters in
sales, the government included the technology in the Top Runner Program under 2013’s Energy Saving Act, setting 2017 as the target year to comply with specific energy consumption features.
line with the “Law on Promoting Green Purchasing”. Not only were equipment manufac-
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY — GUIDE TO NATURAL REFRIGERANTS IN JAPAN 2016
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