Lesson in transportation from Japan

We saw two areas where the Japanese save energy in their transportation systems.

Electric trains.

The first is their high speed and efficient rail system.   We toured one of their railroad maintenance   facilities where we learned how they have converted their train motors to AC induction motors that provide regenerative breaking.  This is the same system that hybrid and electric cars use where breaking produces electricity which in the case of these trains is simply returned to the power grid. The result of using these motors is that it only costs 1.6 K kw-hr to move a train car 1 km.  That is equivalent to roughly $0.26 per mile.  Compare this to the $0.50/ mile (diesel @ $3.00 and 6 miles per gallon) of our system where we use large 18 wheelers to move most of our goods.   The other advantage of their system is reduced use of oil, reduced air pollution, safer roads, and reduced road maintenance.

The Japanese high speed train system (Shinkansen) is also very effective for moving people compared to our greater use of cars and airplanes.  These trains are very comfortable, not subject to delays, and offer more schedule alternatives than airlines.  In Japan the trains are the preferred mode of travel for short and intermediate distance travel.  Use of these trains by travelers offers the same environmental benefits compared to the use of cars and airplanes in our country.

Small cars.

To encourage the use of small energy efficient cars, the Japanese government has a greatly reduced annual registration fee for vehicles that have a engine with a displacement of 1000 cc or less.   These vehicles can be easily identified by their yellow license plates.  These vehicles come a wide variety of configurations including sedans, delivery vans, and small trucks,  They are widely used in the city for things like dropping the kids off at school, shopping trips, running errands, etc and in the farming areas for general use.  We didn’t see these cars on the express ways so they may be excluded from the major roads.   We saw many of these vehicles and estimate that they represent roughly 50% of all the vehicles.  The reduced oil consumption and reduced air pollution resulting from the use of these small cars is significant.

by Doyle Tinkey

Solar Electricity in Japan

Our amazing month of exploring renewable energy (and many other fascinating experiences) in Japan has come to an end.  This entry recaps what we learned about their use of solar electricity and some of the challenges our two countries share in pursuing more of our energy from this resource.

Our first exposure to solar photovoltaics (PV) in Japan was in Ninohe.  We visited a government office and a hospital, both of which have solar PV systems.  What we gleaned from these visits was that these were really showcase projects for the government.  They weren’t installed because they wanted a return on investment but rather they simply wanted their government facilities to be at least partly solar-powered to demonstrate a commitment to clean energy.  It was challenging to figure out the exact installed cost of the systems and how long it might take for the investments to pay themselves back.  It was nice to see that the government clearly wanted to promote solar by using it, but our understanding did not get much below the surface.

In Kuzumaki we visited a school that had a 50 kW solar PV system.  I was excited to see that because my company (Namaste Solar) is in the process of installing solar PV systems on 16 Denver Public Schools (DPS), and I was curious to learn more about what the students were learning in the school about their solar system and about renewable energy in general.  Unfortunately, it was the weekend, so we could not speak with anyone at the school.  However, we did learn that there is some aspect of the curriculum that is focused on learning about solar.  I look forward to facilitating a connection between students in Kuzumaki and DPS students next school year.  Kuzumaki is known as the town of dairy, wine, and clean energy.  They produce more clean energy from solar and wind power than the town uses.  However, we still found it difficult to get consistent answers about the use and cost of residential solar PV.  Our curiosity continued…

Over the last two weeks of the trip, I spoke with a few homeowners and business owners who have installed solar PV systems.  One of my homestay families had a solar system installed on their apartment building, our hotel in Miyako was partly solar-powered, and the son of another one of my homestay families had a solar-powered home.  We received various answers when we asked questions about cost, payback time period, incentives from the utility company or the government, and the general enthusiasm for solar in the community.  It seemed that the general feeling was that solar PV was still too expensive and therefore hadn’t made a significant impact in Japan yet.  While costs for solar PV in Colorado have decreased considerably and interest continues to rise, these arguments sounded very familiar.  However, we could see a fair number of systems on roofs as we drove around in various towns, so it seemed there was a noticeable segment of the population that thought solar PV was a good idea.  Our curiosity continued…

In our final week of the trip we found ourselves back in the largest city in the area, Sendai.  We had a chance to visit with some people at the local electricity company, Tohoku Electric Power Company.  However, the individuals we met with were focused on building and maintaining the company’s facilities, and it was challenging for them to answer questions about the company’s plans on renewable energy.  Our curiosity continued…

We decided to inquire with our gracious Japanese hosts if we might be able to fit in a visit with a company that installs solar PV systems as this seemed the best way to really get to the bottom of what we were hoping to learn.  They immediately made a few phone calls and set up an opportunity for us for the next day (this is indicative of their incredible efforts on our behalf throughout the trip).  We met with Hokusho Housing, a homebuilder that also installs solar PV systems.  They were able to answer so many of the questions for which we had received uncertain answers.  It was fantastic!  Here’s is what we found out:

• The average system size they install is about 3 kW.  In Colorado it is a little larger than 5 kW.
• The installed cost is about $6/watt.  This is similar to current prices in Colorado. 
• The Japanese government provides an up-front incentive to homeowners of about $0.70/watt.  Xcel Energy in Colorado currently provides a rebate of about $2.55/watt. 
• There are no permitting fees.  In Colorado, permitting fees vary by jurisdiction, but they all charge something. 
• It is not the practice of Hokusho Housing to float the rebate for their customers.  It is almost universal in Colorado that companies will provide this service. 
• Anytime a solar system in this area is producing more than the home is using, the excess electricity is bought by the utility company at a rate of about $0.48/kWh.  The homeowner then has a choice about how they want to purchase any electricity their home may need.  They can either pay about $0.24/kWh anytime they need electricity, day or night, or they can pay a variable rate of $0.09/kWh from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM and $0.30/kWh between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM.  In Colorado, we have net metering laws by which a homeowner receives an even exchange for any electricity sent to the grid and any they need to buy back.  Our rates are about $0.10/kWh.
• The payback time period is estimated at 10 years.  In fact, the government structured the incentive program (the combination of the upfront incentive and the per kWh purchase price) to ensure that the payback time period would be 10 years.  If an installation company is charging too much per watt for the system to be installed, then the homeowner will not receive the upfront incentive. 
• They expect the incentive levels to decrease over time as the cost of solar PV decreases.  This is the case in Colorado as well. 
• The installation techniques are somewhat different in Japan than what we typically do in Colorado.  Almost all residential roofs in Japan are a traditional style of tile.  I could not quite glean exactly what their process is, but they seem to have an easier way of installing panels on tile roofs than we are using in Colorado.  I look forward to finding out more about these options to see if we can use them at home.  In addition, it does not appear that they use ballast-only racking systems for commercial systems.  When I tried to ask about this, they said that they have very good skills in taking care of the roof penetrations, so putting many holes in a commercial roof was not a concern. 

That afternoon we visited Tohoku University.  We saw several laboratories, one of which was focused on increasing the efficiency of polycrystalline solar PV cells.  There are two primary methods for manufacturing crystalline solar PV cells, polycrystalline and monocrystalline.  Polycrystalline cells are more common and less expensive, monocrystalline are slightly less common and more expensive but also more efficient.  This lab is focused on keeping the manufacturing costs of polycrystalline cells low while improving efficiency.  The primary way they are doing this is to make the crystalline structure more uniform and reduce impurities and defects.  They have created a process called the “dendritic casting method” which tries to mirror the growth patterns of a leaf.  They grow the leaf-like dendrite crystal on the bottom of a crucible of molten silicon.  Then the polycrystalline silicon structures grow up from the surface of the dendrite crystal. 

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures of the result, but it created a fan-like shape that was considerably more uniform than the conventional method.  They are able to achieve an efficiency of 18.2% with this method compared with closer to 14% with the conventional method.  Their goal is to get their efficiency above 20%.  They are also working on creating a cell that is over 40% efficient by using a combination of silicon and other materials to create a more full spectrum cell.  I look forward to any method that will create lower cost but more efficient solar PV cells!

Overall my take away message from studying the use of solar electricity in Japan is that they are focused on being leaders in R&D and manufacturing of solar PV modules, but they are at a similar point in their overall adoption of the technology for their energy needs as we are in the United States.  I hope that our two countries can work together to ensure that solar is an integral part of our global energy future. 

Written by Lauren Coyne

A Family of Architects

When I learned my homestay in Hanamaki would be with an architect, I was surprised to hear  1- my host mother is also an architect, 2-their first son is an architect, 3-their second son is a carpenter/builder, 4- their daughter graduated in architecture design is becoming an architect!  I thought – This is going to be intense.  Sake, please?

It didn’t take long for my nerves to settle.  Upon arrival, I learned that the family had several homes on the triangle shaped lot- the parents house, the first son’s house, and their architecture studio.  An empty space still exists where they plan to design and build their second son’s house in 2 years.  The entry to the homes face each other and I imagine this will create a shared courtyard when the third house is built and it will be nice place to hang out.  They will fit 4 buildings on a lot that is similar in size to 1 suburban home site in the U.S.

Similar to the exterior spaces, the interior of the family home, or parents home, is modest in size.  It is warmly detailed with pine wood, earthen plaster walls, light neutral paint colors, and natural tatami mats.  A delicate staircase floats along the living room wall to a second private level.  Although the spaces were small compared to typical American homes, the plan is very open and free from clutter.  The kitchen, dining area, and living room are visible to each other – similar to contemporary American homes where the kitchen is the heart of the home and where people gather.  Several of the employees from the architecture studio came over to eat and drink.  There were 6, then 10, then 12 people, that moved about the space.  I felt lucky to be where it was all happening, the casual flow of things, and the intimacy of the family and friends around. The room where I slept has some elements that reminded me of a traditional Japanese home.  It is 4-1/2 tatami mats large, with sliding doors and translucent screens.  A futon was laid out for sleeping.  The shower and bath are separate, like other Japanese showers we have seen where there is a stool, pan, and low wall for accessories.  A combination of new and old made their home very inviting.

Their heating system is primarily from a ground source heat pump, 75 meters deep x 2 (150 meters long).  The temperature in the ground is approx. 10 degrees C, and the temperature in the house ranges from 20-30 degrees C, via heat exchanger.  After staying in several homes after the Kimura’s, I have learned this is a common system for heating homes in Japan.  Many of the homes have a radiant floor system, radiant wall panels, and radiant towel warmers.  The house is a wood framed structure, possibly with diagnol bracing between studs for lateral resistance against earthquakes.

On the second morning, with only a few hours left in Hanamaki, we visited just a handful of many projects designed by Mr. Kimura.  A temple, Kenji Miyazawa education center, his architecture studio.  At his studio, I viewed animations of several projects he is working on.  I wasn’t familiar with the software he is using, but the practice of building 3d computer models to visualize the spaces is something I do as well.  One of his projects, a senior living center, is under construction, and it was fun for me to walk through with him.  He described the spaces, the finishes he selected, and we watched some of the work being done.

Looking back, the short time I spent getting to know the Kimura Family was so memorable.  Despite the incredible hospitality of the Rotarians, it grounded me to be around a live-work setting, where a lot of thought is given to design.  Mr. Kimura has designed over 100 projects in Hanamaki and nearby areas – libraries, education center, historical center, government office, national data room, bicycle parking structure, and more.   He is a regional architect and aims to hand down his skills to the next generation.   I believe his strong connection to family, his town, and his history is why he has been able to produce so much work, continue to inspire, and be inspired.  As a parting gift, Mr. Kimura gave me several books related to Mr. Kenji Miyazawa, which I will treasure and share with people in Colorado.

Thanks to Rotary for all the planning that was involved to connect me to the Kimura Family!

Synopsis: Week 2.5

The travelling GSE Colorado team from District 5450 has continued to absorb insights from the multitudinous of activities prepared by our hosts in northern Japan, District 2520.

As was noted, we visited with officials from the Toyota affiliate, Kanto Auto Works in Kitakami City.  There are a number of initiatives that the company is employing that are part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability programming.  Included within this:  focusing on MPG in all stages of automobile design, utilizing recycled steel in assembly parts, piloting a solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine project for determining feasibility, and utilizing a “snow mountain” as the base source of their summer cooling demands.  See snow mountain picture and diagram below.

We met with mayors of Miyako City and Ichinoseki City over the past week.  The diplomatic meetings focused on the purpose of our GSE exchange, learning about local efforts for sustainability, and gathering information on local culture in each area.

We also visited Nippon Paper Industries, which has a large biomass energy facility onsite.  Quite impressive.  They also have a new machine that increases productivity, efficiency, and environmental protection called the N6.  The machine produces 1,500 meters of paper per minute–a breakneck speed.

The GSE team visited a refuse facility in Ishinomaki that produces electricity by incineration.  The kWH output is quite impressive as well as the cleanliness and reduction of emissions.

We continue to be impressed by the advances in renewable and sustainable industries here in northern Japan.   Rotary!

An Idea for Colorado

Two days ago we had a tour of a large Toyota Assembly plant. Watching how they put the cars together and watching the robot carts delivering parts was fascinating. However the focus of our visit was to see what they were doing to save energy and resources. They have a lot of ongoing programs like rainwater collection for hand washing, bio-diesel created from waste from the company cafeteria, and reuse of packing materials.

The one program that they were very proud of and that we thought could have application in our area was their snow storage. During the winter months they collect all the snow that they have to remove from the plant roads and store it in a big pile which is protected with and insulating blanket. This snow is then used to supplement the the cooling of their buildings.

We were not successful in getting any of the sizing criteria that they used or any operating data except that that they had about 3,000 cubic meters stored at a density of about 0.5 kg/L. Also they had a process diagram that showed a heat exchanger connected to their chilled water system. The also used the melt water in their cooling tower.

It seems like a similar system could be feasible in places like DIA where we have to remove a lot of snow in the winter and then turn around and cool the terminals during the summer. Also there is a lot of open space at the airport for storage of he snow.

Other places where this concept could be evaluated are shopping centers, downtown office buildings and other buildings that have an associated large area that has to be cleared of snow.