1. Customer Communication
  2. Challenges of TEPCO
  3. Corporate Information
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Challenges of TEPCO

New energy is a valuable domestic energy source that contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Although there are several issues to be solved, such as energy supply stability and economic viability, TEPCO is promoting new energy through the installation of new energy power generation facilities and its Green Power Program. In cooperation with its customers, the Company is supporting the continued utilization of new energy sources.

Solar Power (Photovoltaic Power)

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TEPCO Fuji Service Center

This is a power generation system that uses solar power batteries that directly convert photovoltaic energy to electric energy.
When solar battery panels are exposed to light, they generate a direct current, which is then converted to an alternating current by a power conditioner (inverter) and used as electricity.

Advantages:
  • A clean power generation method that emits no CO2 or other harmful substances
  • Infinite energy source
  • A simple system enabling easy maintenance
  • Enables free design, from small-scale (for household use) to large-scale systems, and can be set up almost anywhere

Disadvantages:
  • Because of low energy density per unit area, a huge space is necessary to generate large amounts of electricity
  • Power generation is determined by the duration of solar radiation (the equipment cannot be used during the night)
 
Wind Power

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TEPCO Hachijojima Wind
Power Station

The power of wind rotates a windmill, and the force of revolution turns a generator and generates electricity. A variety of measures are being contrived to maximally use wind power, such as automatically changing the angle and direction of the windmills' blades to adjust output.

Advantages:
  • A clean power generation method that does not emit CO2 or other harmful substances
  • Infinite energy source

Disadvantages:
  • Is liable to be affected by natural conditions such as the weather and has large output variations
  • The noise created by the windmills as well as their influence on the landscape may become problematic
 
Geothermal Power

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TEPCO Hachijojima Wind
Power Station

The power of steam generated from heated water that was taken from underground is used to rotate a generator's turbine to generate power. In Japan, the world's foremost volcanic country, geothermal energy is a precious energy source that is 100% locally produced.

Advantages:
  • A clean power generation method that emits only small amounts of CO2 and other harmful substances
  • A stable energy source
  • Ample resource volume

Disadvantages:
  • The system can be set up only in volcanic regions (since most promising geothermal regions are located inside national parks that are subject to development regulations, or close to large-scale hot spring areas, development in highly promising areas is difficult.)
  • Substantial costs and time are required to survey suited areas

(Note) The New Energy Law does not classify geothermal energy under "new energy." Since it is recyclable (natural energy), however, we have decided to include it in this website.
 
Other New Energy Sources
We are also eyeing new possibilities.
At TEPCO, we are focusing on other new energy sources such as fuel cells, biomass power generation and waste power generation.

Fuel cells
Hydrogen that is generated by decomposing natural gas, naphtha and other fuel is combined in a continuous manner with oxygen in the air, causing a chemical reaction. As a result, electricity is generated.
Its advantages are that it is a clean power generation method that produces no CO2 or other substances, and that it can use waste heat. Problems such as durability and cost still need to be solved, so technological innovation is further called for.

Biomass power generation
This is a power generation method that makes use of biomass (biology-derived) energy obtained from organic substances that plants and animals produce and excrete. Specifically, power is generated by burning substances that are excreted through the papermaking process such as tar and waste chips, as well as substances excreted during the agricultural/forestry and livestock business operations such as wood chips and cow excrement.

* Biomass refers to organic substances derived from animals and plants other than fossil resources that have the possibility of being used as an energy source.

Waste power generation
This is a power generation method that uses high-temperature combustion gas generated when waste is burnt inside waste disposal factories.

Under "the Special Measures Law Concerning the Use of New Energy (The New Energy Law)", enforced in 1997, "new energy" is defined as follows:
  1. Forms of energy which, technically, are nearing the feasibility stage, but whose spread is insufficient due to economic restrictions.
  2. Energy that is especially needed to introduce oil-alternative energy.

It is said that new energy accounts for approximately 1% of Japan's total supply of primary energy. However, this rate does not include hydropower or geothermal energy. If these are added as "recyclable energy," it accounts for approximately 5%*, a level comparable with that of Europe and the United States.

* Actual results for FY1999.
Source: A report by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy's Subcommittee on New Energy.