Environmental Action Report 2003

(3) Improving the Efficiency of Power Facilities

TohokuEPCO has made every effort to reduce CO2 emissions through reducing the consumption of fossil fuel by maintaining a high level of thermal efficiency at thermal power stations and the capacity factor at nuclear power stations. In addition to these measures, we are trying to reduce internal power consumption at power stations and losses in the transmission and distribution process.
Higashi Niigata Unit 4-1 system (capacity: 826 MW, LNG combined-cycle power plant) has attained an annual thermal efficiency of 50.32% (Gross, HHV), and the efficiency of 49.53% (HHV,excluding internal power consumption) was the highest in JAPAN for four years in succession.
At our nuclear power plants, we have kept a capacity factor of more than 80% as a result of safe and stable operation and shortening the periodic inspect period.

Higashi Niigata Unit 4-1 system

Recent trends in electricity demands show an increase in seasonal and hourly variations, which can impede the efficient utilization of power supplies. In order to promote more effective use of energy and electrical facilities, TohokuEPCO is taking positive steps to achieve more flexible electricity charges (e.g. time-of-use rate and midnight power rate options) and innovative marketing (e.g. electric kitchens and all-electric houses).

TohokuEPCO promotes international programs that contribute to the mitigation of global warming, such as the afforestation project in Australia, the World Bank's Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF), and the project for improvement of generating efficiency in Kazakhstan. At the same time, we are looking ahead to the possible use of the Kyoto Mechanisms provided for in the Kyoto Protocol.

Investment in Afforestation Project in Australia

TohokuEPCO joined the afforestation project operated by the Albany Plantation Forest Company of Australia Pty. Ltd. (APFL) to reduce CO2 emissions. APFL's afforestation project will continue to plant and harvest trees on a total land area of 26,000 ha , and supply resources for the paper manufacturing industry. This project, in harmony with existing agriculture, helps make a great contribution to the conservation of the natural environment by preserving forest resources and preventing damage from salinity in the region.

Involvement in the World Bank's "Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF)"

TohokuEPCO is involved in the World Bank's PCF to acquire know-how to explore new projects, procedures to certify greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, and the acquisition of GHG emission reduction credits. The PCF contributes to global efforts to reduce GHG emissions through financial assistance and technology transfers to projects in developing countries and East European countries. Their steady performance resulted in the first CO2 emission credit generated in FY 2003. TohokuEPCO made additional contributions of 5 million dollars (totally 10 million dollars) to the fund, due to an increase in its capital in June 2002.

PCF profile
PCF is an international system financed by contributions from developed countries and various businesses. This fund invests in projects to reduce GHG emissions in developing countries and East European countries, and returns GHG emission reduction credits resulting from the implementation of projects.
The participants are 6 governments and 17 companies, including TohokuEPCO.

Improvement in Generation Efficiency in Kazakhstan

TohokuEPCO was entrusted with a NEDO (The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan) with an energy saving model project. The project site is the Uralsk heat power station plant (West Kazakh, Kazakhstan). By utilizing both a highly efficient gas turbine and its high-temperature exhaust heat through a heat recovery steam generator, this project aims to improve generating efficiency and energy–saving technologies (2002 - 2005). This CO2 emission reduction project is validated by the government as the very first JI (Joint Implementation) project which is designated in the Kyoto Protocol.