This Week’s Update – Reconstructions of Electricity Power System in Japan after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster (23th April, 2012)
This Week's Column
1) Japan's energy situation has changed fundamentally after the accident in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power. One of the changes is in a stable supply of electricity. The electricity could be used freely with just turning a switch. However, from now on, there is a possibility that electric power shortage could be constant by stopping nuclear power plants.
Yumiko Iwafune, Associate Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, contributed a column “From Emergency Power-saving, 2011 to Sustainable Power-saving, 2012” In addition to her study in energy consumption, she is active in enlightenment activities of power-saving etc to the general pubic.
Iwafune pointed out that electricity savings in Japan in 2011 was achieved by the burdens on the economy and the people. She gives an opinion that we should consider electricity savings in a way that effect meeting efforts, reflecting 2011 experience.(English Translation Coming Soon)
2) GEPR is researching about the smart grid with experts. Tokyo Electric Power Company announced in March that it intends to buy smart meters.（press release）
According to reports by media, TECO intends to buy 1.7millions smart meters within 5 years, which scale are never seen before in the world. However, experts pointed out TEPCO decided the basic specifications of smart meters in a form that are advantageous for themselves.
GEPR submitted opinions on the specifications. We pointed out problems of TEPCO’s action, and requested to drastically reconsider about it.(English translation coming soon)
