Japanese Ministry Selects Nation's First 'Best 100 New Energies'

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan announced the "Top 100 New Energies" on April 22, 2009. These projects were officially selected as leading initiatives to promote the use of clean energy through regional-based approaches in which energy is produced and consumed locally.

Each of the 100 projects maximizes specific regional characteristics with originality. The projects include not only solar power, wind power and biomass-based energy, but also hot spring-based power in spa towns and snow and ice energy in the northern areas such as Hokkaido and the Tohoku district.

For example, Suttu Town in Hokkaido generates electricity through wind power generation from strong winter winds which whip through the town. Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture utilizes energy from disposed cooking oil after cooking their specialty products of fish sausages. Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture has installed photovoltaic power generation systems in all city-run elementary and junior high schools and also utilizes clean energy issues as a topic to educate students. Moreover, there are other municipalities aiming to promote multiple forms of clean energy as communities that are environmentally-friendly and people-friendly.

METI held a certificate award ceremony and a symposium on June 1, 2009. They also ran an exhibition on the first floor lobby of the main METI building from June 8 to July 10. These events are intended to share the best practices in introducing clean energy by regions and spread the use of clean energy across Japan by offering information about "Top 100 New Energies" nationwide.

Posted: 2009/09/23 06:00:15 AM