Analysis of energy efficiency standards for Japanese appliances

Panel: Panel 1: Assessment of Energy Efficiency Policy

Author:
Yutaka NAGATA, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI)

Abstract

As one of the countermeasures to achieve six percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions agreed to at Third Conference of Parties to the Climate Change Convention, the Japanese Energy Conservation Law was revised and entered into force in April 1999. The points of the revision were to strengthen efficiency standards for electrical appliances and automobiles using the "top-runner" approach, and to strengthen efficiency standards in factories and buildings.

This strengthening of standards uses the "top-runner" approach, because the standards apply to the most efficient domestically-shipped models. The eight items targeted are automobiles; refrigerators; air conditioners; fluorescent lights; televisions and VCRs; photocopiers; computers; and magnetic hard-disk drives. For example, efficiency gains of 17% for televisions and 58% for VCR standby power are expected.

In this paper, the concept underlying the new electrical appliance standards is explained by comparing them with the European and American standards, and economic and technical issues arising from the use of the standards and concept are discussed.

One issue is gauging the economic effects of efficient technologies. To do so, recommended retail prices sought by manufacturers were used, but the actual prices as determined by the market are considered to be more suitable for this purpose.

Finally, government estimates of actual efficiency improvements in some appliances are presented and the obstacles faced in reducing future energy consumption are discussed.