Tokyo Renewable Energy Strategy: Bordering on the Impressive

Initially i wasnt to interested in this as renewable enrgy stratageis come along all the time and the targets are usually pretty lame as they are the first generation...real tough goals are something that can be added after the framework is set up, thats my way of thinking about most these policies. However, this strategy is notable for its breadth, it is 20% renewables by 2020, but 20% of primary energy, not just electricity! That is not usuall as far as i can see, including transport in that, as i think they do is vital for measurablke progress. (After re-reading the article i hope they are clear that 'energy' is not synonomous with 'electricity', 'primary energy' would have made me more confidant, as would any reference to transport)

Bureau of Environment
Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Tokyo Renewable Energy Strategy

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has carried out innovative projects, including the installation of wind generators in the Tokyo waterfront area, equipping a water treatment plant with one of Japan's largest solar generators, and utilizing exhaust heat and sludge from sewage treatment plants.

Renewable energy use and energy efficiency are the keys to measure to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Also, as a city facing the risk of periodic
earthquakes, an effective integration of energy policy and disaster preparedness/mitigation policy is needed. Furthermore, growing renewable energy market can create new business opportunities.

Therefore, TMG formulated its “Renewable Energy Strategy” to go beyond the level of on-going pilot projects and increase renewable energy use in Tokyo.

Outline of the Strategy

The present situation of renewable energy in Tokyo

● Renewable energy supplies about 2.7%of Tokyo's total energy demand.
● Power and heat from waste incineration plants, and solar light and heat are major sources of renewable energy in Tokyo.
The proposition of an ambitious use target
TMG proposes to increase the proportion of renewable energy use out of Tokyo's total energy consumption to aim at around 20 percent by 2020. Here, TMG opens discussion and will set the final target in the TMG Environmental Basic Plan expected to revise in 2008(FY).
● This target is proposed from the view point of being in line with other advanced countries and regions on renewable energy use to avoid serious future effects of global warming.
● Energy use should be reexamined, with the reduction of energy consumption being the major premise.
● Not only can renewable sources be established within Tokyo, but the tremendous purchasing power can also be utilized, thereby boosting levels of renewable energy within Japan as a whole.

Policy directions

● Create demand―Demand-pull policies
● Utilize the character of the natural energy in housing
● Enhancing local energy choice
Policy measures and model projects toward the target
To achieve the target, TMG starts to consider the introduction of effective policy measures, such as information dissemination system on renewable energies and policy measures to promote certain introduction of renewable energy use.
In addition to these policy studies, the TMG will launch pilot projects toward the widespread use of renewable energy. Through these projects TMG can experiment with new uses of renewable energy and methods of collaboration among various entities. These pilot projects will examine the links between demand and policies, ways to increase added value, and ways to create other advantages.

For example:
● Enhancing “Green Purchase” to promote renewable energy use among business, power suppliers and governments
● Promoting citizen-based investment schemes, corporate sponsorship for the installation of renewable energy.
● Promoting design of low energy and comfortable housing with the use of renewable energy.
● Promoting project of solar heat in housing