Nuclear Energy in Japan

By nuclear energy group

Chapter 1 Japanese energy policy and nuclear energy

Today, global warming problem is the worldwide problem. To correspond global warming problem, Japan is trying to achieve the target that was composed on COP3 at Kyoto in 1997. The target is that Japan has to reduce 6% CO2 emission, compared with 1990 level. Reduction of CO2 emission from energy consumption is the most important element to achieve the target. The target of energy origin is as same degree as 1990 level (refer to figure 1). Japanese energy policy has subject that is ‘Japan realize energy security with corresponding to demand on environment and efficiency. In other words, Japan tries to achieve three targets, which are energy security, economic efficiency and environment preservation, at the same time1. In these targets, nuclear energy contributes to corresponding to environment preservation; it is equal to correspond to global warming problem. Partly because CO2 emission of nuclear energy is very little (refer to figure2), partly because Uranium, which is resource of nuclear energy, is distributed over many countries where political situation is stable. It is superior to get energy security. So, in this chapter, we inspect energy policy of Japanese government and contribution of nuclear energy to its energy policy. Japan where are few resources displayed the weakness on structure of energy supply at 1st oil crisis in 1973, because Japan depended on imported energy largely. After oil crisis, to energy security, Japan has taken the policy measures, which was putting on stress on diversified energy resources. Under the rate of composition on first energy supply, the rate of oil was 77% in 1973. But now, the rate is 52%. The rate of nuclear energy and natural gas are increasing to 13% instead of oil (refer to figure 3). On the rate of energy output, the rate of oil thermal generation decreased. As the core of alternative energy, nuclear energy has been increasing. The rate of nuclear power generation is 34.5% (refer to figure 4). To secure the oil, Japan almost depends on imported oil. Above all, the rate of dependence on Middle East has been high primarily. That rate was 78% on first oil crisis. After oil crisis, that rate had been decreasing because Japan got large influence from oil crisis. In 1988, the rate decreased to 68%, it was the minimum until now. But the rate has been increasing since 1989. In 1995, the rate was 80% (refer to figure

1 By Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, Comprehensive resources energy Investigation Committees. "About a future energy policy" (July, 2001)

5). In 2000, the rate reached to about 85%. In1998, the rate of Asia energy demand is about 24% in the world. It is estimated that the rate will rise to 32%. It expects that Asia have the large influence to Japanese energy security. Dependence on imported oil on Asia including Japan was 63% in 2000. It is estimated that the rate will increase to 70% (refer to figure 6). Above all, dependence on Middle East will increase from now on. Thereof, it expects that Japan get serious impact from current of imported oil on Asia. So, Japan has to notice current of Asia, especially, Japan try to reduce the dependence on Middle East and oil. Concerning energy security of nuclear energy. Japan has to depend on imported resources as well as oil, because Japan was poor in uranium. But uranium is distributed widely throughout the world. What’s more, the area that is distributed uranium is the country where the political situation is stable. Japan imported uranium from Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, USA and so on. Japan tries to diversify the partner on trade with entering into a long-term contract. So, Japan can get energy security. Then, the national energy consumption increases every year. Energy security is one of the important subjects. In this situation, nuclear energy contributes to energy security largely (refer to figure 7). The other subject is economic efficiency. Up to now, Japan has been trying to get economic efficiency through saving energy actively. Because Japan poor in resources. Today, to achieve economic growth more, and to survive intensification of international economic competition, the decline cost of generating electricity is demanded. Japan aim for economic efficiency through deregulation. Under the achieving economic efficiency, it estimated that coal thermal generation which is low cost increase through deregulation. The cost of nuclear energy is competitive. In this situation, nuclear energy also will increase in deregulation. We explain cost of nuclear energy in detail chapter 2. About environment preservation, environment preservation can say in other word to achieve the target that was composed on COP3 at Kyoto conference. The country of AnnexⅠ have to reduce the greenhouse gas following each target. Japanese target is that Japan has to reduce 6% emission CO2 compared with 1990 level. 80% Japanese greenhouse gas is discharged by energy origin. Japan has to wrestle with reduction from energy origin. The target of reduction from energy origin is as same degree as 1990 level. But, in 1999, the amount of CO2 from energy origin overstepped 8.9%

compared with 1990 (refer to figure 8). Taking the present measure cannot achieve the target. It estimates that the emission of CO2 will excess 6.9% more than the target with present measure in 2010. It requires for energy origin to reduce 2 millions t-c more. The government considered additional policy measures to reduce 2 millions t-c. Additional policy measures are saving energy (reduce 6 million t-c), new energy (reduce 9 million t-c) and changing fuel (reduce 5 million t-c). But present measure estimated that from 10 to 13 increases of nuclear power plant perform until 2010. Under present measure, the rate of nuclear energy supply under the total amount of energy supply will rise to 40.7%. Under taking additional measures, the rate will rise to 42.7%2. That is to say that increases of nuclear power plant is important factor for achievement of target. Besides that, operation rate of nuclear power plant is 81.3% now. There is a trial calculation that says that the rate can rise to 85%3. In this situation, it can reduce 2 million t-c compared with coal generation. However, in recent years, it is doubted whether the government can increase the plant or not. There are three reasons why it is doubted. 1st, people got bad image against nuclear energy because some accidents happened around nuclear energy. 2nd, it supposed that deregulation make coal generation increased instead of nuclear power generation. 3rd, the rate of efficiency nuclear power generation of electricity is 30% included loss of power supply. This rate is not low as same as thermal generation. By these reasons, the government made a trial calculation of the case where nuclear power plant will not increase. In this case, the total amount of nuclear power plant is 51. It estimates that the excess of CO2 emission is 40 millions t-c. To reduce 40 millions t-c, Japan have to take strong measures. In detail, Japan try to reduce the total amount of energy output, and increase the generating electricity plant of natural gas. If this measures carry out, Japanese economy will get serious impact by a boost in energy price by the influence reduction of total amount of energy supply. Therefore, we can understand that increases of nuclear power plant are necessary to achieve the target that is composed at Kyoto.

2 The difference of these rates between present measure and the taking additional measure is the difference of total amount of energy output. Under the taking additional measure, saving energy reduce the total amount of energy output. 3 By Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, Comprehensive resources energy Investigation Committees. "About a future energy policy" (July, 2001)

Thus, we can understand that nuclear energy is important for energy security, economic efficiency and environment preservation. However some accidents were happened around nuclear energy in Japan. For example, there are MONJU sodium leakage accident in 1995, JCO critical accident in 1999, dishonesty of data problem in 2000 and so on. People have anxiety and doubt against nuclear energy. So, today, nuclear safety is the most important subject for Japanese energy policy. The government was submitted reports that are ‘about securing of nuclear safety’ and ‘about securing of nuclear technology’ to show engaging to nuclear safety until now and countermeasure from now on4. In reservation of a nuclear safe base, in addition to regulation of old institution, the government is adding regulation to software, such as safe management, from now on, and is claiming securing a safe base. The government insists that some accidents were problem that happened by defect of solid management. So, the government tries to solve management problem. The government recognized that nuclear energy is safety from scientific viewpoint. The subjects of government are how to explain its safety of nuclear energy to people and sweep away the concern against nuclear energy. More over, the government will develop to a system base, a knowledge base, a man-talent base, an institution base and a financial base with describing today’s condition of each base. The government tries to strengthen many factors of nuclear energy. The government achieves nuclear safety with improvement in technology. The government insists that securing technology is important because nuclear energy is technology incentive energy. The government describes each existing infrastructure, developing technology, the field expects to advance and shows the attitude to trying to secure technology-base with economic efficiency and safety. The present conditions of each technology are seen below. About existing infrastructure, light-water reactor generation5 became mature and safety. About processing of uranium fuel, the government will carry out a cost reduction and endeavor

4 By Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, atomic-power safety and the Safety Department meeting sectional meeting 5 The nuclear reactor which uses ordinary water (light water) for the moderator and the coolant

after maintenance of a technical base, that low level radioactive waste disposal be perform smoothly, and demolition and its waste of a nuclear power plant have arrive at the region of practical use technically etc. As things are technology is securing and safety. The government said that developing technologies and development of new technologies would be keeping the investigation with investment and securing material. As a field to which development and utilization will be expected from now on, high-level-radioactive-wastes disposal, a fast breeder reactor and related nuclear-fuel-cycle technology, and uranium waste disposal are mainly mentioned by the government. And the government expresses the posture that development and research will be tackled positively. That is, the government said that the technology operated now and the developing technologies are safe. What’s more, the government tackles to development of new technology positively, and reservation of the technical base aiming at the improvement in economical efficiency and safety. We can see that the government is a positive posture to maintenance of the technology and development of nuclear energy. Although nuclear energy is in the situation where its safety is doubted by many accidents in recent years, nuclear energy is important for energy security, economic efficiency and restrain of CO2 emission by energy origin. So, the government has a strong posture to development of nuclear energy with securing safe base and getting national understanding.

Chapter 2 The Problem of Nuclear Energy

In this chapter, we will verify whether the government's policy of promotion nuclear energy is appropriate from the following three viewpoints. 1. The Safety Problem 2. The Economical Efficiency 3. The Best Mix of Electricity Composition 1. The Safety Problem: 1), The Safety Problem in existing nuclear energy generator.

80％ of the existing nuclear power plants in the world are the Light Water Reactors, which are put to practical utilization in many countries. Also in Japan, 53 of 55 including the plant under construction sets are the light water reactors. Thus it is necessary to verify the safety of the light water reactor. We list the technical problems in the light water reactor as below. First, since the nuclear fuel is a solid and is sealed, the fuel object may receive the damage by radiation irradiation. As a result, it is easy to deteriorate and there is a risk of damaging. Moreover, in order to compensate degradation of the capability of the nuclear fuel, nuclear reaction needs to be held down and needs to be change the position of a fuel. Generally, for those work, it is the nuclear reaction must to be interrupted temporarily. And, since it will become unstable, and re-starting may become difficult. Furthermore, if water is used as a transfer medium of thermal energy, it will decompose with radiation and water will generate hydrogen. This hydrogen has the risk of exploding. So, it can be said to the light water reactor is danger. The problem about earthquake resistance and radioactive-waste disposal is a problem not only to the light water reactor but all nuclear power equipment. Unfortunately, Japan is one of the most happening earthquakes contrary in the world. However, It is hard to say that all nuclear power generation equipment do excel in earthquake resistance. In Japan, there are twice urgent stop by earthquake. Since the control rod that absorbs a neutron was fortunately inserted and stopped nuclear action, nuclear accidents are avoided. However, if this operation was late, it may have become the large-scale nuclear accident. And, since the operation may be overdue when a very big earthquake arises, it is hard to say that the safety is secured. The radioactive waste is also a problem. In Japan, burying in a stratum is the way to disposition of the radioactive waste. But, the concrete place of the last disposition is still "under examination". At the beginning, the candidate location of the last disposal is 16 point, but at present, they are decreasing to 4 places due to opposite movement of

residents. Thus, it is the present condition that the reservation of the last disposal place has not been almost solved at all. Furthermore, if the reservation of the last disposal place is attained, it is proved in the main countries including Germany or the United States that there is the possibility of the subterranean contamination by the radioactive waste. Thus, it can point out that there are many problems unsolved about the disposal of the radioactive waste. 2) The safety of FBR and plutonium thermal use in LWR The fast breeder reactor has the feature that increases plutonium used as a fuel after power generation than before. Therefore, if it succeeds in development of the fast breeder reactor, the problem of exhaustive natural uranium resources will be solved. The main countries were drawing the scenario of extracting the fast breeder reactor. But, each of the United States, Britain, Germany, and France could not but give up by failing in the development of the fast breeder reactor (table 1 reference). One of the reasons of this is that the fast breeder reactor has technical danger. Plutonium used as a fuel is very strong toxically. And, the radioactive half-life is as long as 24,000 years. Moreover, because plutonium is easy to fission, a nuclear accident tends to happen. The fast breeder reactor has the possibility of occurring the nuclear-core-meltdown accident. A nuclear core meltdown is that the reactor core made from stainless steel dissolves by the high temperature produced at the time of power generation. If this nuclear core meltdown happens, the fast breeder reactor will easily become to an atom bomb. In the United States, the nuclear-core-meltdown accident occurred 2 times. Furthermore, sodium used in order to take heat from fuel can reacts with water and air and cause fire accidents. The air mixing accident with sodium happened in France, and the sodium fire accident occurred frequently in Germany. The sodium fire accident has arisen also in the United States and Britain. Also in Japan, the fast-breeder-reactor Monju sodium fire accident happened in 1995. 2.The Economical Efficiency 1), Existing nuclear power plant The Unclear Energy Committee in the Ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) of Japan did a trial calculation of the costs by the nuclear power generation, steam

power generation, etc. to compare the economic efficiency of various power generations in December, 1999. The calculation result is as Fig. 9. Figure 9

g to this calculation, the cost of unclear energy is 5.9 Yen/kWh, 6.4 Yen/kWh

igure10

in a table of specification of the cost in figure 9, the capital expense costs lmost 40 percents (2.3 yen) of the totality. On the contrary, the fuel costs 28% (1.7

Breakdown of Cost

(Source) A Report of the 70th Nuclear Energy Subcommittee, Advisory Committee for Energy, December 1999.･

Comparison of Power Costs

5.9

13.6

10.2

6.4 6.5

0

24

6

81012

14

16

Nuclea

r

Hydroe

lectric

Oil-

fired

LNG-f

ired

Coal-fir

ed

¥/kWh

Accordinby LNG-fired generator, 6.5 Yen/kWh by coal-fired power, 10.2 Yen/kWh by oil-fired generator and 13.6 yen/kWh by hydropower. The government concluded that the nuclear energy is competitive to other power supplies in economic efficiency. F

Overall expense ･/kW h Percentage5.9

Cost of capital 2.3 39.0% (depreciation, fixed-asset tax, decommissioning costs)

Operation and maintenance 1.9 32.2% (repairs, general management, enterprise tax)

Fuel 1.7 28.8% (nuclear fuel cycle costs)

(Source) A Report of the 70th Nuclear Energy Subcommittee, Advisory Committee for Energy, December 1999.･

As shownayen). In the nuclear power generation cost, that the share of capital expense is large and the share of fuel cost is small. Moreover, the calculation was performed also about cost change when fuel price and exchange rate changes. The result of the calculation is that the cost is seldom influenced by such diversification.

So nuclear energy is excellent in securing the steady supply of energy. Moreover,

re are several problems of uncertainty in the cost. he scale of an initial investment of nuclear power generator is very large. Usually, it

To earn back the vast

ade distantly from area where has rge population for safety reason. This causes huge initial investment for transmission

calculation by government, the cost is counted on the given conditions on 0% of capacity factor and 40 years of operating period. However, actually electricity

nancial aids from government and electricity companies which are used to support the

an there three laws to support the cicatrices power development especially to cate the nuclear power generation. These three laws are "Electric Power

nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides, in the generation process, and it thus imposes little load on the environment. So it is being appraised that the nuclear power generation contributes to global-warming prevention. The government concluded that the unclear energy is important in stable energy supply and global-warming prevention and economy efficiency. However, theTrequires 400 billons-yen to build a nuclear generation in Japan.investment as early as possible, the electricity company has to keep the power generation in best condition to run full capacity. Moreover, a nuclear power generation must be mlasystem. For instant, Tokyo Electricity Cooperation must to invest 500 billions yen to built a 500kw transition system. Because of the long distance, the transition loss is also large. In the cost 8companies calculate the cost on a much short-middle term like ten years. So the actual electric power generation cost is 8-9 yen more highly than cost that government calculated. If there is no protection from the electricity rates system and the government, building a new nuclear power generator will be a huge burden to company. Moreover, in the cost by government, only direct cost is calculated. But, there are huge filocal economy where nuclear power generator is located, are not carried out to power costs. In JaploDevelopment promotion tax law", "Electric Power Development promotion special account law", and " Power Supply Area Infrastructure Improvement law". According

to these three laws, financial grant in aid is deliver to the local government of the power plant located to promote the local economy. The annual budget of financial aid that is related to the METI is around 130 billions yen. Though these costs cannot be calculated in the electricity cost directly, it is hard to deny that these costs are not related to the cost. The cost of decommissioning is constructed in the capital cost. According to a trial alculation by the Nuclear Committee, 18.7 billions yen for BWR and 19.7 billions yen

cost, 90 percents or more of metal and concrete that re low radioactive are supposed to be disposed as ordinary industrial waste. Because

ic efficiency of FBR and plutonium thermal use in LWR

ast Breeder Reactor, eprocessing of the spent fuel that came out from Light Water Reactor needs to be

cfor PWR are needed. However, it cannot be negated that there is still no actually having carried out decommissioning (the first case of decommissioning is Tokai nuclear power generator which is scheduled to begin in this year), and there is remarkable uncertainty like other fuel costs. Moreover, in the decommissioning aof the strong objection from the local citizen, it is possible that these waste are demanded to dispose as low radioactive waste. Accordingly, the cost may turn into a vast amount. 2) Econom In order to use MOX fuel in Light Water Reactor or plutonium in Frcarried out. Moreover, in order to reuse uranium fuel of a Light Water Reactor, the reprocessing of the spent fuel is required. In the cost by government, because the reprocessing cost does not pass over 11% of total cost, it is not a dominant element for the economic efficiency of the nuclear power generation. But, according to Professor Kenji Yamachi of the University of Tokyo, the Rokasyo reprocessing plant (the capacity of 800t/year), which is the only reprocessing plant in Japan, has cost 2,000 billions yen in establishment. If it takes advantaging of this value in 10% of year expense rates, the capital cost of every year will be made to per 200 billions yen and 250 millions yen per ton. If an operation carrying charge 50 millions yen per ton adds, the reprocessing cost can be 300 millions yen per ton. This means the cost will increase to bout 1.1 yen/kWh. Furthermore, if the dimmissioning cost of reprocessing plant and the tax are also taken into consideration, it will be indicated that the reprocessing cost has a possibility that it may soar to about 2 yen per kWh.

Moreover, In order to raise the efficiency of using neutron, large-sized generator is

eeded. This will be very complicated and expensive. Despite some technological

f Electricity Composition

emand for the electric power is not fixed. lectric power needs to be supplied so that it can correspond to this fluctuation.

coal-fired energy are used as base supply capacity.

appliance needs to maintain the capacity that can usually orrespond to the peak demand. Since it is difficult to store electricity, it is necessary to

r power generation, which acts as the core of base supply apacity, in total electricity-generation appliance is below 30%. The power adjustment

nachievements, the United States and some European countries have discontinued FBR development projects, or otherwise changed their policies for economic or political reasons. Japan almost all the advanced countries has quitted to develop the FBR despite Japan. 3.The Best Mix o Through every year and every day, the dETherefore, the optimum electricity-supply composition by hydraulic power, firepower, and the nuclear power generation that pursues economic efficiency and secures the stable power-supply composition is needed. And it is called best mix of electricity-supply composition. According to those power supplies character, those can be divided roughly as below: Base supply capacity: which can provide stable and economical electricity. In Japan, nuclear energy andPeak supply capacity: which can adjust output easily to correspond to fluctuation. Oil-fired energy and pumped power generation are used for this. Middle supply capacity: which has the merits of base supply and peak supply energy. LNG is used for this. The electricity supplycadjust the output of electricity corresponding to demanded is decreased. This is called power adjustment operation. Until now, the share of nucleacoperation is depending on other power generator. If 13 nuclear power generations is extended as government planed, the share of nuclear energy will increase and power adjustment operation by nuclear energy also becomes necessary. The midnight minimum demand of electric power from 1995 to 1995 is about 50MkW. The capacity of nuclear power generation was 45MkW at that time and has increased to 50.7 MkW by

July 1999. So it is possible that nuclear power generation capacity is already over the minimum electric-power demand. However, the power adjustment operation by nuclear power generation is extremely

angerous technically. Because when the output of the nuclear power generation falls, it

ed 2 times of power adjustment operation by the Ikata enerator (1987 and 1988) in Japan. A strong campaign against it by local people

power adjustment operation and work a high capacity, umped power generation is usually placed with the nuclear power generation.

ity exceeding base upply line has bad efficiency.

about safety of nuclear power generation, economic fficiency and best mix of power-supply composition, we consider that nuclear energy

dbecomes unstable and easy to have accident. The Chernobyl nuclear power generator disaster in the old Soviet Union is just the large disaster that is in an unstable status of power adjustment operation. Shikoku Electric Company testghappened. So power adjustment operation is seldom actually performed in Japan henceforth. Therefore, it will be very dangerous to do power adjustment operation without plenty experience of it. In order to avoid the danger of pPumped power generation pumps up water of a lower dam up to the upper dam with the surplus electric power of the nuclear power generation at midnight to deposit electric-power and generate electricity for peak demand in daytime. But the efficiency of the pumped power generation is low which is supposed as 65%. This means 35% of energy generated by nuclear power generator will be lost. And, the operating rate is very as low as 7%, so it hardly contributes to electric-power output. Therefore, it will be said that the nuclear energy generation capacs Based on the analysis above ehas large contributions to a stable energy supply and global warming prevention. But Our opinion is that distrust on safety problem, uncertainties on economic efficiency and limited proportion of best-mix are 3 vital problems which can not be ignored on energy policy decision and we oppose the government plan which ircrease the nuclear energy capacity.

Chapter 3 New System of Energy Supply

In chapter 3,We propose a new system of energy supply as a method of substituting nuclear power paying attention to efficient use of energy. 1) The problem of the conventional system of energy supply (Fig. 11) The energy flow-chart of the conventional system of energy supply Source of: "comprehensive energy statistics" (1998) Fig. 11 is an energy flow chart of the conventional system of energy supply. The left side is a primary energy used as a raw material, and the center is the energy conversion system and the right side is the final consumption. The point is that one-third of the supplied primary energy is thrown away as "waste heat". Moreover, more than 80％ of waste heat arises from the power generation. Because all thermal energies produced at the time of power generation are thrown away, such energy losses arise. Furthermore, the losses of the power transmission or them of transformation also arise. Rather than promoting energy saving in the industry sector, the residential and commercial sector and the transportation sector of the demand side, utilizing waste heat produced at the time of power generation effectively can save more energy. Then, at the time of power generation, by generating electric power more efficiently and by promoting the system that carries out effective use of heat that is generated at the time of power generation, we can reduce the amount of injected primary energy very much. 2) The new system of energy supply (Distributed power-generation systems and Renewable energy) We think that the promoting of "Distributed power-generation systems" is indispensable, in order to realize efficient energy use. This spread contributes to the solution of the energy problems greatly. The distributed power-generation system is a system that many small-scale

power-generation systems are set near the consumption ground, and supplies electric power to users. It dif lant to the place left

istantly from the consumption ground and supplies electric power to users by using a

ght it should be promoted in he distributed power-generation systems.

,Co-generation system y utilizing

ste heat produced at the time of power generation as not electric power but heat as it . The merit of co-generation system is that synthetic energy efficiency is attained to

ized the electricity produced by he large scale power generation which could but be set far away and heat which is fuel

waste heat

tural gas co-generation

nds,

aving effect can be expected very much.

is a micro gas turbine. hereas the co-generation system stated until now is used for the scale of an area, the

e gas turbine of small capacity about several 1,000,000kW, adapting he technology of the turbocharger for cars, and is the simple and low cost system that

fers from the system that stands the pdpower-transmission line, like the existing nuclear power station or old mold thermal power plant. Then, we introduce some technology we thout 1The co-generation system is the technology that can increase heat efficiency bwaisabout 70-80% by utilizing waste heat. Until now, we utiltof the feeder or the heater etc. is obtained from burning gas or coal oil. If which is generated at the time of power generation is utilized by the feeder or the air conditioning, it become about 25 % of the energy saving by nasystem in case that the institution which the ratio of the heat and the electricity (the ratio of the demand of heat and the demand of electric) is about 1:56. In the Netherla34% of the capacities of the power-generation equipment have already converted into co-generation system. IN Denmark,it is 71％. But in Japan, it is still only 1.6% at the 1998 times7. The government counts 4,640,000 kW by the introduction of a natural gas co-generation system in 2010 8 . But, if it is combined with the fuel cell mentioned later, the energy-s2 Micro gas turbine Here, we introduce the co-generation system that utilizes the internal combustion and is expected that it can compete in economical efficiency enough to the existing electric power. ItWmicro gas turbine is the co-generation system that can be utilized for the scale of about one building. It is thtuses town gas, LPG, lamp oil, etc. as a fuel. Since 30-40％ of the injected energy is

6 7 8

taken out as the electric power and 40％ of that is used as heat, the synthetic energy efficiency is attained to no less than 80%. The introduction of the micro gas turbine has already started in Japan. McDonald's decided the introduction of the micro gas turbine in the metropolitan area, and Lawson also advances the introduction gradually from spring of 2001, cooperating with Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Corporation, Tokyo Gas, etc. By according to an actual result, Lowson is doing the deployment to the

600 stores9.

lopment information center of fuel cell

the result, more energy-saving effect can be expected. If the co-generation system

7 Fuel cell The combined-cycle and the micro gas turbine stated until now are the systems that increase the energy efficiency that is produced by power generation utilizing the fossil fuel. The fuel cell we introduce now is the power-generation system that differs from these systems. This is the technology that is generated by hydrogen gas and utilizes the principle of an electrochemical atom and molecular structure, not a heat organization. The fuel cell is the pure hydrogen gas dynamo that produces electricity all the time, and is a technology that produces electricity, heat, and water by using hydrogen and oxygen. Except water, it can be used as energy. (figure.12) The concept figure of the fuel cell Source: fuel-cell deve The merits of the fuel cell are mainly 4 points. The energy-saving effect The fuel cell has few waste heat generated in connection with the energy transformation, because the electric energy is taken out without passing through the combustion process. Moreover, when being used as power-generation equipment of home use or business use, synthetic energy efficiency improves by using not only electricity but also waste heat. As

9

explained above is introduced, the energy efficiency is attained to 70-80%. The environmental load reduction effect The fuel cell produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. It discharges only water in the process of power generation. And it does not discharge air-pollution substances like nitrogen oxide, Sox and SPM. Moreover, it does not discharge CO2, which is the main factor of the global warming. 3) The diversification of energy supply Hydrogen that is the fuel of the fuel cell can be taken out from a very broad fuel.

le, they are natural gas, methanol, gasoline, naphtha, and biomass, etc.

rom these merits, the fuel cell is ultimate clean energy that differs from a ower-generation system so far. e thought it the best to spread the distributed power-generation systems that

ombined the fuel cell and the co-generation system as an energy system in the 21st entury.

m, heat produced at the time of power eneration is utilized effectively, having the merits of the fuel cell above-mentioned.

t the private generation at ome, an office building with exploiting a characteristic of the compact

hree merits. buted power generation system is set near a consumption

does not almost arise.

efficiency and does not have worries about waste proposal. Moreover, because the substances that are discharged are very clean, this system is able to contribute to the

For exampConsidering that the dependence on petroleum to middle east of Japan increases every year, the spread of the technology which can take out energy from the resources other than petroleum is preferred from the viewpoint of security, too. 4) Silence Because the fuel cell usually generates by utilizing the electrochemical reaction, it doesnot produce noise and shaking like an engine or a turbine. It is the feature suitable for the application for cars and home use. FpWcCBy combining with the co-generation systegFurthermore, the promotion of the system which carries ouhpower-generation equipment. This system has tFirst, because the distriground, The large-scale equipment of transmission and distribution is unnecessary and the loss of power-transmissionSecond, the equipment which transports generating heat is almost unnecessary and The reduction of the loss of heat accompanied by heat transportation can be attained. Third, introducing the fuel-cell co-generation system increases the synthetic energy

solution of the environmental problems greatly, including the problem of

more introduction of the distributed power-generation get of the introduction which the government

EFC)11" is the fuel cell ost expected.

As shown in Table 4, when the fuel cell is introduced into a home, the big reduction of

the field test of the fuel cell for home use started from

global-warming. The government counts 2,200,000kW by the introduction of the fuel cell in 201010. And if it is added with the target of introduction of the co-generation system above-mentioned, they are 6,840,000kW. However, we thought that systems were expectable than the tarcounts. Here, we verify how the fuel cell is actually utilized, and the differences compared with the existing energy. In the violent competition of the cost reduction etc. by each industry and the technical innovation is progressing, "A Polyelectrolyte Type Fuel Cell (Pwhich is mHere, we introduce the estimation about the economical efficiency in the case of introducing a constant type PEFC co-generation system for home use, which is said that the utilization is the earliest. the fuel and light prices can be expected. This is the big incentive for spreading fuel-cell co-generation system. In Japan, 2000, and some companies have been advancing preparation steadily for the utilization in 2003-2004. (Table 4) the estimation of the fuel cell for home use about the economical-efficiency Cell (Toshiba)

Energy after introducing fuel cell Energy before introducing fuel cell

Business electric：８１６ｋｗｈ／Year System electric：５１０９ｋｗｈ／Year

City gas：１１９７�／Year City gas：４３１�／Year

The amount of CO2 discharge：７３６ｋｇThe amount of CO2 discharge：８２７ｋｇ－ C／YearC／Year

10

S

11

ynthetic energy efficiency：６２．６％ Synthetic energy efficiency：５３．１％

－

Electricity charge decreases 105000 yen

the distributed power-generation systems have the merits that the initial

e instability and the uncertain nature in the electric utility

ater that utilizes the biomass and the natural energy, so, it can

onquered by economies of scale and technical innovation,

s stated above, the distributed power-generation systems can supply efficient energy

y thrown away is cut down very much and it may become the measure to

ut power-generation technology such as the fuel cell and the micro gas turbine, etc. hich may serve as the nucleus of the distributed power-generation systems at present,

e exhauhen, the simultaneous promotion of the fuel cell and the renewable energy such as the

wind power gehe renewable energy is the instability of supply. But the fuel cell can produce hydrogen

the problem re y spreading the new system of energy ly consisting of the fuel cell and

he renewable energy, the simultaneous achievement of stable supply, environmental p fficiency c n be b

, we propose that the government should promote the spread of the new system of

⇒charge of fuel and light decreases 20,000 yen Town gas charge increases 85,000 yen Source: it creates from "all of fuel cells". Becauseinvestment cost is relatively low and the construction term is very short, it can correspond to thderegulation. As mentioned above, because hydrogen used as fuel is gotten from not only natural gas but also disassembly of wbe selected in many fuels. And if such technology spreads, it can avoid the influence of the appreciation of the specific fuel cost represented by the oil crisis. If the subject concerning the cost is further cthe fuel cell co-generation system will spread adequately. By doing so, it is enabled to connect by network and collect surplus energies in addition to private dynamo ability, and fully has the possibility that winning the competition in the electric utility deregulation. Aand have many features, compared with the old system of energy supply. Thereby, energthe global warming. Bwmay use a fossil fuel, the problem of th stion of resources remains. Tsolar power generation and the neration is the most ideal. The problem of tby electrolysis and save it. Then,

he fore, bis solved.

suppTt

reservation, and economic e a rought. Then

energy supply above until now as a policy. until now should be used for the spread of

) For standing by the duty of the reduction of CO2 in 2010

n chapter 2, we propose that only 4 nuclear power stations should be extended.

rge reduction by governmental policy) – 7,000,000t( CO2

e think that we need to consider the system of energy supply with the object of long

supply is the

is impossible to spread the new system of energy supply in the

ism more in

Therefore, the budget on the nuclear powerthis new system. 3 IAs a result, in order to stand by the duty of the reduction of CO2 discharge of Japan that is set to the Kyoto protocol, we need to consider how to cut down more 11,000,000 t CO2 from a governmental plan. 20,000,000t(CO2 dischadischarge reduction by our proposal) ＝13,000,000t 13,000,000t – 2,000,000t(by raising operating ratio) ＝11,000,000t However, it is impossible to cut down 11,000,000t CO2 in 2010 only by promoting spread of the new energy system that we proposed. Then, we propose utilizing the Kyoto mechanism more than a governmental policy of now, in order to attain -6% reduction of CO2. . Wterm. This is because we consider that the promoting the new system of energybest policy and this promotion is needed for plenty of times. Therefore, because it short span, by 2010, we cannot but increase utilizing the Kyoto mechanism in order to stand by the duty of the reduction of CO2 discharge. So, our conclusion is that the government should utilize the Kyoto mechanThe e short term and promote the new system of energy supply in the long term.

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