- Information
- News Releases
- Back Issues
- March 2012
- Bill to Partially Amend the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Act)
Bill to Partially Amend the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Act)
The Cabinet today decided the "Bill to Partially Amend the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Act)." The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will submit the bill to the 180th ordinary session of the Diet.
Considering that the stabilization of supply-demand balance of energy in an early stage is indispensable for growth of Japan's economy, the bill provides for necessary measures on the demand side from the viewpoint of sustainable energy conservation, with taking all possible measures to enhance the supply system.
1. Background of the bill
For growth of Japan’s economy, stabilization of supply-demand balance of energy in an early stage is indispensable and it is necessary to take all possible measures for enhancement of the supply system. Further, electricity consumers need to take measures to reduce consumption at peak demand hours, so that storage batteries and energy management systems that are becoming popular can be utilized more effectively.
In addition, considering that energy consumption in the consumer sector, including both business and home use has recently tended to increase, further promotion of energy conservation measures is requested not only in the industrial but also the consumer sector.
2. Summary of the bill
In this bill, the following measures are mainly taken:
(1) Measures on demand side at peak demand hours (factories, transportation, etc.)
In addition to conventional measures to save energy, when consumers make efforts to reduce the use of power from utility grids during peak demand hours using storage batteries, energy management systems (BEMS or HEMS), private power generation, heat storage type HVAC, gas HVAC etc., the current system shall be amended to evaluate such efforts.
(2) Top Runner Program (*) for Building Materials, etc.
The top runner program has so far been applied to machinery and equipment that consume energy. This amendment adds certain items that contribute to higher efficiency of energy consumption at buildings and other equipment to the subject of the program.
*Top Runner Program: A program to request manufacturers and importers of energy consuming machinery and equipment to satisfy a high standard (top runner standard) in the target fiscal year set at three to ten years after, and to submit a report in that fiscal year so that the government checks achievement situations.
Reference
Release Date
March 13, 2012
Division in Charge
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Division, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy