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Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany

Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 3, 25 - 34, 01.07.2018

Abstract

Fossil
fuels have traditionally powered modern societies since the Industrial
Revolution and our present day well-being have been achieved through such
fuels. They are, however, finite in nature and quite harmful to the environment
since they are the main source of global warming. Japan, Germany as well as
many other countries are highly dependent on the import of oil, gas or coal and
have to pay the world market price. Unsustainable extractions have brought
fossil fuels under constraint and countries which want to (partly) mitigate
this issue, should start investing in renewable energies and re-arrange their
energy generation sector to a more sustainable system. A functional mix of
renewable and conventional power plants can reduce the need for fossil fuels in
the electricity generation sector, thus lessen the carbon dioxide emission
while securing supplies and stability. The main aim of this study is to
investigate Japan’s potential for renewable energies and how to influence its
energy generation sector with some take-away lessons from Germany. Qualitative
and quantitative research designs were adopted to provide reasonable arguments
to support the hypothesis that a fair share of its total (electric) energy
demand could be achieved by capitalizing on renewable energy sources, while
phasing out some old thermal power plants. A significant take-away lesson from
Germany turns out to be adoption of more innovative energy policies and their
constant upgrades. Patience with higher price of renewable energy sources
during times that world oil prices significantly drops through political
manipulation is another consideration.

References

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Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 3, 25 - 34, 01.07.2018

Abstract

References

  • [1] German Federal Government, Der Weg zur Energie der Zukunft - sicher, bezahlbarund umweltfreundlich - https://web.archive.org/web/20111116042621/http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/__Anlagen/2011/06/2011-06-06-energiekonzept-eckpunkte,property=publicationFile.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [2] METI (2016 a), Japan’s Energy 20 Questions to understand the current situation, METI, Tokyo http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/category/brochures/pdf/japanenergy_2016.pdf (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [3] Papandreou, A., Ruzzenenti, F., On the effects of fossil fuel prices on the transition towards a low carbon energy system Part A, FESSUD FINANCIALISATION, ECONOMY, SOCIETY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Working Paper Series No 89, (2015) http://fessud.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ Papandreou_Ruzzeneti_Effects-of-fossil-fuel-prices-on-transition-to-low-carbon-energy-part-A-working-paper-89.v2.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [17] Sovacool, B. K.. Contesting the Future of Nuclear Power: A Critical Global Assessment of Atomic Energy, World Scientific, pp. 287, (2011)
  • [5] Scriba, A., Kaiserreich Industrie und Wirtschaft, LeMo Lebendiges Museum Online, Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, (2014) https://www.dhm.de/lemo/kapitel/kaiserreich/industrie-und-wirtschaft.html (Last access: 2017.1.9)
  • [6] Danilevich, Y.B.; Kirichenko, B.E.; Tikhodeev, N.N., ELECTRICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS - History of Electric Energy Systems and New Evolution, UNESCOEOLSS, 2016 http://www.eolss.net/outlinecomponents/Electrical-Energy-Systems.aspx (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [7] Auer, J., Energiemix in Deutschland im Wandel Treiber sind Energiewende und internationale Trends, Deutsche Bank Research, Aktuelle Themen Natürliche Ressourcen, ISSN 1435-0734, (2014) https://www.dbresearch.de/PROD/RPS_DE-PROD/PROD0000000000444456/ Energiemix_in_Deutschland_im_Wandel%3A_Treiber_sind_.PDF (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [8] Painter, D.S., Oil and Geopolitics: The Oil Crises of the 1970s and the Cold War. Historical Social Research. Band 39, Nr. 4. GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the SocialSciences, Köln 2014, pp. 190
  • [9] Corbett, M., Oil Shock of 1973–74, Federal Reserve History, (2013) https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/oil_shock_of_1973_74 (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [10] Schiffer, H.-W., Energiepolitische Programme der Bundesregierung 1973 bis 2017; Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen Year 67, 2017, Issue 11 http://www.et-energie-online.de/Portals/0/PDF/zukunftsfragen_2017_11_schiffer.pdf (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [11] BMU, The Federal Government's energy concept of 2010 and the transformation of the energy system of 2011. Bonn, Germany: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU), October 2011
  • [12] FECP, Results and Prospects of Power Generation Volume by Source, Historical Trend of Power Generation Volume by Source in Japan, (2014) https://www.fepc.or.jp/english/nuclear/necessary/sw_necessary_02/index.html (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [13] World Nuclear Association, Nuclear Power in Japan, (2017) http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-/japan-nuclear-power.aspx (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [14] METI (2016 b), What does the liberalization of the electricity market mean? METI; Tokyo http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/category/electricity_and_gas/electric/electricity_liberalization/what/ (Last access: 20181.10)
  • [15] EIA, Country Analysis Brief: Japan; U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/analysis_includes/countries_long/Japan/japan.pdf (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [16] Kingdom of Netherlands. Wind Energy Japan, Embassy of the Netherlands, Japan, (2012) https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/Wind%20Energy%20Japan.pdf (Last Access: 2018.1.10)
  • [18] Wakeyama, T., Ehara, S.. Estimation of Renewable Energy Potential and Use- A Case Study of Hokkaido, Northern-Tohoku Area and Tokyo Metropolitan, Japan Sustainable Cities and Regions (SRC); World Renewable Energy Congress 2011, 8-13 May 2011, Linköpping, Sweden http://www.ep.liu.se/ecp/057/vol12/012/ecp57vol12_012.pdf (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [19] Price, T. J.. James Blyth — Britain's First Modern Wind Power Pioneer, Wind Engineering Volume: 29 issue: 3, pp. 191-200 Issue published: May 1, 2005 https://doi.org/10.1260/030952405774354921 (Last access: 2018.1.10)
  • [20] Kojima, T., How is 100% Renewable Energy Possible in Japan by 2020? Global Energy Network Institute, (2012) https://www.geni.org/globalenergy/research/renewable-energy-potential-of- japan/renewable_energy _potential_of_Japan_by_2020.pdf (Last access: 2017.11.20)
  • [21] Kagel, A; Bates, D; Gawell, K, A Guide to Geothermal Energy and the Environment, Geothermal Energy Association Washington D.C., (2007) http://www.geo-energy.org/reports/Environmental%20Guide.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [22] Oishi Takayuki, Kado Yasuyuki. IEA Geothermal Implementing Agreement Japan Country Report (2014) http://iea-gia.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/11/ IEAGIA-2014-Japan-Country- (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [23] IEA, Solar Energy Perspectives: Executive Summary 2011 https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Solar_Energy_Perspectives2011.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.11)
  • [24] IEA, Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme Snapshot of Global PV 1992-2014, (2015)
  • [25] Ashton, Sarah; McDonell, Lauren; Barnes Kiley; Longholtz Mattew, Woody Biomass Desk Guide & Toolkit: National Association of Conservation Districts, 2015 http://www.nacdnet.org/policy/woody-biomass-desk-guide-and-toolkit?highlight=WyJiaW9tYXNzIl0= (Last access: 2017.1.9).
  • [26] Salje, P.. Stromeinspeisungsgesetz. Gesetz über die Einspeisung von Strom aus erneuerbaren Energien in das öffentliche Netz. Kommentar. Carl Heymanns, Köln, Berlin, Bonn, München, ISBN 3-452-24158-0, (1999)
  • [27] Bartholl, C., Auktionsverfahren im EEG – Was kommt Neues nach dem neuen EEG? Newsletter 1/2014 | Erneuerbare Energien, pp.10-11, (2014) https://united-kingdom.taylorwessing.com/fileadmin/files/docs/pdf- german/Beitrag_Bartholl.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [28] Wetzel, Stefan, WELT Die brutale Kostenwahrheit über die Windkraft Branche, (2017) https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article163681001/Die-brutale- Kostenwahrheit-ueber-die-Windkraft-Branche.html (Last access: 2018.1.9)
  • [29] Chiarello, G., Energiesparen im Haushalt Energiespar- Tipps, BBZ Biel, (2017) https://www.energie-klimawerkstatt.ch/fileadmin/projects_EKW/ 2016_17/p_2943/ubungs_va_energie_sparen.pdf (Last access: 2018.1.11)
  • [30] ISEP, Status of Renewable Energies in Japan (August, 2017), Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, Tokyo, Japan (2017) http://www.isep.or.jp/en/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ISEP20170827JapanStatus-EN.pdf (Last access: 2017.12.30)
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  • [32] METI, Japan’s Energy Plan, METI, Tokyo, Japan (2015) http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/category/brochures/pdf/energy_plan_2015.pdf (Last access: 2017.12.30)
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Environmental Engineering
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Philipp Huehn This is me

Davar Pishva

Publication Date July 1, 2018
Submission Date April 11, 2018
Acceptance Date July 18, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 1 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Huehn, P., & Pishva, D. (2018). Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany. Environmental Research and Technology, 1(3), 25-34.
AMA Huehn P, Pishva D. Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany. ERT. July 2018;1(3):25-34.
Chicago Huehn, Philipp, and Davar Pishva. “Energy Self-Sufficiency and Its Significance: Japan’s Potential and Some Take-Away Lessons from Germany”. Environmental Research and Technology 1, no. 3 (July 2018): 25-34.
EndNote Huehn P, Pishva D (July 1, 2018) Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany. Environmental Research and Technology 1 3 25–34.
IEEE P. Huehn and D. Pishva, “Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany”, ERT, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 25–34, 2018.
ISNAD Huehn, Philipp - Pishva, Davar. “Energy Self-Sufficiency and Its Significance: Japan’s Potential and Some Take-Away Lessons from Germany”. Environmental Research and Technology 1/3 (July 2018), 25-34.
JAMA Huehn P, Pishva D. Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany. ERT. 2018;1:25–34.
MLA Huehn, Philipp and Davar Pishva. “Energy Self-Sufficiency and Its Significance: Japan’s Potential and Some Take-Away Lessons from Germany”. Environmental Research and Technology, vol. 1, no. 3, 2018, pp. 25-34.
Vancouver Huehn P, Pishva D. Energy self-sufficiency and its significance: Japan’s potential and some take-away lessons from Germany. ERT. 2018;1(3):25-34.