Japan to raise renewable-power goal
TOKYO, JAPAN - The government said that it wanted to expand the amount of electricity that Tokyo Electric Power and other utilities were required to generate from solar power and other renewable energy sources.
The Trade Ministry said it had drawn up a plan requiring Japanese power producers to generate 16 billion kilowatt-hours of energy from renewable sources by March 2015. This would be an increase of 31 percent from the target of 12.2 billion kilowatt-hours, equal to 1.35 percent of total output, set for March 2010.
Japan, a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol on cutting the production of greenhouse gases, wants to expand generation from clean energy sources, particularly solar panels, to help the nation meet emissions targets.
"The proposed target is very tough, and it isn't acceptable," said Mamoru Muramatsu, general manager for planning at the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan. "We don't even know whether we can meet the requirement" for 2010.
To reach the 2010 target, utilities need to invest about 100 billion, or $820 million, he said.
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Christmas electricity spike equivalent to roasting 1.5 million turkeys: BC Hydro
VANCOUVER - BC Hydro is reminding British Columbians to conserve power over the holidays after a report commissioned by the utility found the arrival of guests for Christmas dinner results in a 15% increase in electricity usage.
Cooking appears to be the number one culprit for the uptick in peoples’ hydro bills. According to BC Hydro press release, British Columbians use about 8,000 megawatt hours more of electricity by mid-day Christmas — that's about 1.5 million turkeys roasted in electric ovens.
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About 95% of British Columbians said they would make meals at home from scratch over the holiday season.…
