Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.

Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. Environmental Action Report 2007

Activities to Propose Efficient Use of Energy

Efforts for Load Leveling

In proportion to the increase in the number of air-conditioners, etc., the “maximum demand” where electricity consumption reaches the highest level of the year is expected to continue to increase. The increase in the seasonal and day-and-night gap of electricity demand becomes a factor that impairs efficient use of power generation equipment, etc. Minimizing such gap of electricity demand (load leveling) and promoting efficient operation of equipment are expected to avoid new and additional installation of power generation equipment and reduce CO2 emissions in mid- and long-term. Tohoku EPCo is promoting its load leveling efforts in terms of both rate options and business development.

Image of Load Leveling

Figure:Image of Load Leveling

Diversification of Rate Options

Reflecting the lifestyles and electricity usage of customers as well as regional characteristics, Tohoku EPCo is intended to diversify the rate options that can be selected by customers and promote efforts for load leveling.

Special Contract Options Recommended to Construct Fully Electrified Houses

Figure:Time-of-Day Lighting A Yarikuri Night (Shifting) 8

Figure:Time-of-Day Lighting B Yarikuri Night (Shifting) 10

In addition to the options mentioned above, various other contract options are available. For more information, please consult our contact persons. Our rate options are also introduced on our website (http://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/).

Promotion of Wide Use of Eco-Cute

Image:Eco-Cute Specified for Cold Climate Areas

The Eco-Cute is a next-generation water heater that boils water by using the “heat in the air.” As it efficiently collects heat from the air with its heat pump that uses CO2 refrigerant that is superior in the high-temperature boiling characteristic, it can create energy (heat value) more than input energy (electricity). Moreover, as it does not use CFC refrigerant, it has no effect on ozone depletion and less effect on global warming. It is an environment-friendly appliance.

The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has declared a target of “having 5.2 million units of the Eco-Cute come into wide use by FY2010” to cope with global warming issues. For this purpose the ministry has introduced a system to provide subsidies through Japan Electro-Heat Center. In FY2007, the amount of subsidy to Eco-Cute is 45,000 yen for both new and existing homes. We also aim to lower the price of the Eco-Cute (including installation cost) from about 700,000 yen at present to about 400,000 yen in FY2010.

In our service area, a cumulative total of 32,000 units of the Eco-Cute have been installed and adopted as of the end of FY2006. We plan to promote more active proposal and PR activities.

Mechanism of Eco-Cute

Figure:Mechanism of Eco-Cute

Promotion of Wide Use of Electrification Systems

Tohoku EPCo carries out activities to offer proposals that help customers create comfortable houses and improve living environment such as electrification systems, thermal storage air-conditioning systems, etc., which are suitable for highly insulated and highly airtight houses, as a way to use energy effectively, aiming at harmony with the environment.

Promotion of Wide Use of Electrification Systems Suitable for Highly Insulated and Highly Airtight Houses

Amid a growing interest in the environment and energy conservation in recent years, the needs for electrification systems suitable for highly insulated and highly airtight houses are increasing. Tohoku EPCo specially gives support to the general exhibition site of fully electrified house located in Nakayama, which is called “E-NA TOWN” (Aoba Ward in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture), and promotes activities to propose comfortable and economical electrification systems such as the combination of pieces of equipment that uses electricity available late at night such as Eco-Cute and electric water heaters, thermal storage electric heaters, and cooking heaters, etc.

The number of fully electrified houses built in Tohoku EPCo's service areas in FY2006 favorably increased by 133.7% (22,012 houses) from the previous fiscal year, and the cumulative total exceeded 130,000 houses as of the end of March 2007.

Introduction of Fully Electrified Houses

Graph:Introduction of Fully Electrified Houses

Promotion of Wide Use of Electrified Kitchen Systems for Business Use

In the food business, the provision of “safe foods” is required first. In addition, the improvement of efficiency of management and that of comfort of work environment have become more important than ever. What can meet such requirements and realize safe and clean kitchen environment as well as effective use of energy is an “electrified kitchen for business use.”

Tohoku EPCo's electrified kitchen, which has adopted a so-called HACCP system that can realize the concept of sanitary management, is “worry-free, safe and clean” and boasts good usability. It is introduced in school lunch cooking facilities, hospitals, welfare facilities, food service industry, etc.

Introduction of Electrified Kitchen System for Business Use (cumulative)

Graph:Introduction of Electrified Kitchen System for Business Use (cumulative)

Promotion of Wide Use of Thermal Storage Air-Conditioning System

Tohoku EPCo's thermal storage air-conditioning system is designed to store ice and hot water in a thermal storage tank by using relatively inexpensive night only services (from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), and use the stored ice and hot water for cooling or heating during daytime. As for advantages for customers, it can reduce running costs and quickly start heating or cooling. It is also easy to use, and it is clean and environment friendly because of no combustion involved.

Moreover, Tohoku EPCo is fully prepared to support the wide use of the system, and it is introduced in offices, medical facilities, educational facilities, etc. as the air-conditioning system to realize comfort environment and energy conservation.

Introduction of Thermal Storage Air-Conditioning System (cumulative)

Graph:Introduction of Thermal Storage Air-Conditioning System (cumulative)

TOPICS Daikin Starts Selling “Hot Eco Buil-Mul” Highly Efficient Multi-Air-Conditioner for Buildings in Cold Climate Areas
- To Realize Both Significant Energy Conservation and Comfortable Heating Even at the Time of Low Outside Air Temperature -

Image:Hot Eco Buil-Mul

Tohoku EPCo, Hokkaido EPCo, Chubu EPCo, Hokuriku EPCo, Chugoku EPCo and Daikin Industries, Ltd. have conducted demonstration tests on “Hot Eco Buil-Mul” highly efficient multi-air-conditioner for buildings in cold climate areas in Hokkaido and Akita, which realizes both significant energy conservation and comfortable heating even at the time of low outside air temperature. As the targeted performance was achieved, Daikin Industries started selling the multi-air-conditioner in August 2007.

Nowadays, air-conditioners are required to increase their efficiency from the viewpoints of promotion of energy conservation and prevention of global warming. In cold climate areas, the improvement of heating efficiency has been required particularly at the time of low outside temperature. Conventional heat pumps had a possibility of impairing comfort because their heating capacity decreases as the outside air temperature goes down.

“Hot Eco Buil-Mul” developed recently has drastically improved its heating efficiency at the time of low outside air temperature by adopting a newly developed two-stage compression system (Note 1). Its comfort at the time of heating operation is also improved such as drastic improvement of heating capacity, quick blowoff of warm air, easing of decrease in room temperature due to defrosting.

We will continue to actively address the development of energy-saving equipment. While contributing to promotion of energy conservation and global warming prevention, we will strive to meet the needs of customers such as reduction in energy cost, improvement of comfort, etc.
TOPICS Participation in “Team Minus 6%” National Campaign to Prevent Global Warming

Tohoku EPCo participates in “Team Minus 6%” national campaign to prevent global warming, and addresses on a company-wide basis the six actions called for by the campaign, i.e., (1) control of cooling temperature, (2) water conservation, (3) purchase of eco goods, (4) idling stop, (5) restraint in excessive packaging, and (6) power conservation. At the same time, we also conducted a light clothing (Cool Biz) campaign from June 1 to September 30, 2006.

Under the “Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan,” a call is made for everyone of the people as well as the central and local governments and businesses to cooperate in addressing measures against global warming as a basic concept of such measures. The Japanese government widely requests the people to participate in “Team Minus 6%.”

In response to such request, Tohoku EPCo participates in “Team Minus 6%” as an activity of each employee, and has decided to reinforce on a company-wide basis the efforts that we have promoted to date to prevent global warming such as setting of appropriate cooling and heating temperatures, shutoff of unnecessary lights, etc.

Through such efforts, each employee is expected to raise awareness of global warming issues and try to reduce CO2 emissions. Our Cool Biz campaign in FY2007 takes place in the period from June 1 to September 30.
TOPICS Cooperation In “CO2 Emissions Reduction by 1 Kilogram per Person a Day” Support Campaign

Tohoku EPCo has decided to cooperate in the “CO2 Emissions Reduction by 1 Kilogram per Person a Day” Support Campaign, which is conducted as part of the Team Minus 6% campaign, and support participation in challenging activities. We plan the events to support customers who bring “My Challenge Declaration Card*” with them. Further details will be announced on Tohoku EPCo's websites as soon as they are decided.

* My Challenge Declaration Card
The challenge declaration card can be obtained by registering your “My Challenge Declaration” on the special website that can be accessed from the home page of “Team Minus 6%.”

Special site of “Team Minus 6%”
https://m.tszc.jp/try-1kg/tm6_co2-1kg02.html
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