Kansai Electric Power’s

Global Environmental
Action Report
A Well-Balanced Environment Today and Tomorrow

September
2000

A Message fromthe President
Global environmental problems such as global warming, acid rain and ozone layer depletion havebecome the focus of international discussions in recent years. To address the issue of global warming,
the Framework Convention on Climate Change was concluded at UNCED, the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development, in 1992. An agreement was made on the goals foreach advanced nation to reduce greenhouse gases at the Third Session of the Conference of theParties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3), held in Kyoto in
December 1997, in which a strict objective was imposed on Japan to reduce overall greenhouse gas
emissions by 6% below 1990 levels from 2008 to 2012.
With each country executing its own plan, we can now say that the “age of action” against
global environmental problems has begun.
Having recognized early on the importance of environmental protection, the Kansai ElectricPower Company has been endeavoring to minimize the environmental impact of its operations. We
defined Five Basic Principles of the Action Plan for Global Environmental Considerations in 1990,
and have put our best efforts into promoting concrete activities in every sphere of our enterprise.
Furthermore, with major changes surrounding our management environment, including the partial
liberalization of retail energy sales this year, we feel that we must take on the challenge ofenvironmental problems and other issues that are in the public interest, as we strive to make electricity
an ever better product while at the same time gaining the trust of the society we serve. Based on thisunderstanding, we have drawn up our Eco Action 2000, a plan that outlines how we will achieve bothbusiness efficiency and public benefit in our stepped-up efforts to protect the Earth’s environment.
This report introduces the company’s fundamental principles regarding environmental issues
and the objectives of related activities. Aiming for sustainable development of the world in the 21st
century, we are working to obtain solid results by tackling environmental issues independently andassertively. We would like to receive comments and opinions from all those concerned withprotecting the earth’s environment. We hope you will assist us in these important endeavors for the
future of our planet.
Hiroshi Ishikawa
President
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

C O N T E N T S
Overview of Kansai Electric1

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures

3

1 Environmental Policies and Concrete Action Plans

3

2 Environmental Management System

7

3 Environmental Accounting

9

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business 11
1 Measures to Prevent Global Warming

11

CO2 Emissions Worldwide and in Japan

11

Measures to Reduce CO2 Emissions in the Electric Power Industry

12

Kansai Electric’s Measures to Prevent Global Warming ~New ERA Strategy~ 13

E
R A

E
R A

E
R A

Efficiency (Efficient utilization of energy by society as a whole)

15•Promoting Load Leveling

15•Promoting an Eco-Friendly Transportation System

17•Utilizing Untapped Energy Sources

17•Developing New Energy Sources

18(Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply)

19•Promoting Nuclear Power Generation

19•Improving and Maintaining Thermal Efficiency of Fossil Fuel Power Stations

21•Using LNG

22•Renovating Hydropower Stations

22•Reducing Transmission and Distribution Losses

23•Technological Development with the Goal of Reducing CO2 Emissions

23•Developing Advanced Energy Supply Technology for the Future

24•Reducing Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Other than CO2

25

Activities Abroad (Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

26•Research and Development to Expand Natural Resources

27•Activities and Business Feasibility Studies for the Utilization of the Kyoto Mechanisms 29•Developing International Business that Contributes to the Decrease of Global Warming 32•Domestic Efforts that Consider International Business

33•International Group Activities Aimed at Sustainable Development

33

Protecting the Ozone Layer

34

2 Working to Protect the Environment

35

Environmental Assessment for Power Station Construction

35

Environmental Protection Measures

36

a. Measures to prevent air pollution

37

b. Measures to prevent water pollution

40

c. Measures to prevent noise and vibration

41

Measures to Deal with Chemical Matters

42

a. Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)

42

b. Dioxins

42

Exchanges with the Community Through Environmental Preservation Measures 43
a. Green zoning measures

43

b. Electric power facilities in harmony with the environment

44

c. Efficient utilization of thermal discharge

46

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society
1 Business Activities Geared Towards the Metabolic Society

47

47

Reducing and Reusing Waste Materials

47

Promoting Green Purchasing

50

Promoting Eco-Business Throughout the Kansai Electric Group50

2 Earnest Exchange and Cooperation with External Groups

53

Community Relations Facilities

53

Education to Help Spread Energy Conservation Awareness

55

Everyone’s Eco-Friendly Campaign

55

100,000 People’s Eco-Family Campaign

56

Cooperation with the Kansai Economic Federation and Other Groups

56

Cooperation with the Local Community

57

Information Exchange with Overseas Electric Power Utilities

58

3 Raising Employees’ Awareness of Their Responsibility as Global

59

Citizens[Reference]•Changes Up to Now in Environmental Policy and Concrete Action Plans

60•Report on the New Mid-term Action Plan for Global Environmental Considerations(Companywide Action Plan)

60•History of Energy and Environmental Issues

61[Questionnaire]

Overview of Kansai ElectricJapan has ten major private electric utility companies

electricity demand, which has increased with the growthwhich operate independently. Each company producesof the Japanese economy. As of March 31, 2000, theand distributes electricity to a specific geographicalcompany’s capacity for hydroelectric power is 8,107 MW,

region of Japan. Kansai Electric’s service area is locatedfossil fuel power 19,921 MW, and nuclear power 9,768

in the central part of the main island Honshu and covers

MW, making the total capacity 37,796 MW, which is 17

28,681 km (8% of Japan’s total land area). This region,

times larger than the initial figure of 2,284 MW in May

generally known as Kansai, includes Osaka, Kyoto, and1951, when we began operation. Electricity sold in fiscal

Kobe and has a population of 21 million, accounting for1999 amounted to 140,403 million kWh, accounting for

16% of the nation’s total.

17% of the total power sold in Japan, or the second2Since its establishment, Kansai Electric haslargest amount in Japan, following the Tokyo Electricemphasized the development of power sources to meetPower Co., Inc.

System capacity (as of March 31, 2000)

System capacity (as of March 31, 2000)

Fiscal year

Capacity

1979

Hydro

Fossil fuelNuclear23,115

24%

51%

25%

1989

30,173

20%

55%

25%

1999

37,796

21%

53%

26%

(MW)

Hydro
8,107 MW
(21%)

Total
37,796 MW
Nuclear9,768 MW(26%)

Annual gross output (Fiscal 1999)
Fiscal year

Generation(millions of kWh)Hydro

Fossil fuelNuclearPurchased
power,
other1979

90,217

14%

55%

22%

9%

1989

123,552

12%

44%

37%

7%

1999

153,712

9%

29%

46%

16%

Fossil fuel19,921 MW(53%)

Annual gross output (Fiscal 1999)
Purchased power, other(from other companies)
24,138 million kWh (16%)

Performance highlights (as of March 31, 2000)

1

System capacity

37,796 MW

Annual gross output

153,712 million kWh

Annual power sales

140,403 million kWh

Maximum power demand

30,710 MW (Aug. 31, 1999)

Number of customers

12.6 million

Annual revenue from power sales¥1,959 billion

Capital¥489 billion

Service area

28,681 km2 (7 million acres)

Number of employees

26,248Overview of Kansai ElectricHydro
13,880
million kWh
(9%)

Total
153,712
million kWh
Fossil fuel45,306 million kWh(29%)

Nuclear70,388million kWh(46%)

Service areas of Japan’s ten electric power companies

Okinawa
Hokkaido

TohokuHokuriku

ChugokuKansaiKyushu

Tokyo
Chubu

Shikoku

Outline of Japan’s ten major power companies (as of March 31, 2000)
Capital

Number ofcustomers

Maximum
power
demandAnnualpower sales

Annual revenue
from powersales(billions of yen)(thousands)(MW)(millions of kWh)(billions of yen)

Hokkaido Electric Power Co.

114

3,719

5,112

28,070486

Tohoku Electric Power Co.

251

7,463

14,43071,804

Tokyo Electric Power Co.

676

26,33059,250274,226

Chubu Electric Power Co.

375

9,915

25,806

Hokuriku Electric Power Co.

118

1,940

5,280

Kansai Electric Power Co.

489

12,625

Chugoku Electric Power Co.

186

5,062

Shikoku Electric Power Co.

146

2,804

System capacity (MW)
Number of
employees

Hydro

FossilNuclear

Total

6,448

1,278

3,500

1,158

5,936

1,118

14,5682,431

11,4301,349

15,2094,022

41,882

8,103

32,43417,30857,846

120,028

1,664

19,788

5,211

22,941

3,617

31,76924,853

354

5,683

1,806

3,862

540

6,209

30,710140,403

1,959

26,248

8,107

19,921

9,768

37,796

10,66952,914751

11,243

2,893

7,765

1,280

11,9385,240

25,000

412

6,647

1,123

3,171

2,022

6,316

2,370

11,327

5,258

18,955

Kyushu Electric Power Co.

237

7,962

15,12073,064

1,160

14,428

Okinawa Electric Power Co.

8

732

1,407

6,558

128

1,553

0

1,445

0

1,445

2,600

78,552

173,024

816,920

12,054148,488

33,322

117,79642,300

193,419

Total

Overview of Kansai Electric2Section 1 System of Environmental Measures
1

Environmental Policies and Concrete Action Plans

Kansai Electric’s most fundamental management policy has
always been to contribute to the development and prosperity of
the local communities.
As part of this commitment, we have undertaken arange of measures to address environmental issues in ourservice area, with particular attention to the needs of each
community.
Recently, environmental problems causing worldwide
damage—global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion,
vanishing tropical rain forests, and the spread of deserts—have
become a serious concern for everyone, and efforts to combat
and solve these threats are being undertaken on a global scale.
These global environmental problems are presenting a
new challenge to modern civilization. To effectively address
them will require integrated international efforts.
Not only technological measures, but changes in many
areas, such as social awareness and consumer lifestyles, need tooccur on a global scale. In order to achieve sustainable world
development, which will require both economic development
and global environmental preservation, it is vital for us as global
citizens to “think globally and act locally” in our communities.
Realizing that it has important responsibility as anelectric utility and energy supplier, Kansai Electric is strongly
committed to supporting global environmental preservation
while working to make people’s lives more comfortable. In thisrespect, we continue to study advanced measures forenvironmental protection and ways to integrate these into all
aspects of our operations.
This action has taken concrete form in efforts such as
our Five Basic Principles of the Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations, which we drew up in April
1990, and the Kansai Electric Power’s Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations of 1991. Both of these outline
the environmental protection policies that we follow in all areasof our business.
To further boost our efforts, in 1993 we created the
Mid-term Action Plan for Global Environmental
Considerations (1993-1995), which outlines concrete actionplans based on concrete numerical goals. This plan and the
New Mid-term Action Plan for Global Environmental
Considerations (1996-1999), created in 1996, have guided ourenvironmental protection efforts to the present.
3

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures

With major changes surrounding our management
environment, such as the partial liberalization of retail energy
sales starting in March 2000, we have revised the Kansai
Electric Action Plan for Global Environmental Considerations
as well as created a new plan of action, Eco Action 2000.
Through Eco Action 2000, we are aiming to take on even moreenvironmental challenges so that we may provide benefits forsociety and earn its trust by making electricity the best andmost environmentally friendly energy source available.

System of Environmental Measures
Environmental Policies

Philosophy

Five Basic Principles of the
Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations

Action Guide

Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations

Concrete Action Plans
Eco Action 2000

Environmental Policies
Five Basic Principles of the
Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations

Philosophy
1 Reduction of environmental impact
2 Promotion of effective and efficient use of energy and resources
3 Development of advanced technologies
4 Coordination of efforts throughout the Kansai Electric Group
5 Creation of a new corporate culture to support harmonious coexistence withthe global environment

Action Plan for Global Environmental Considerations

Action Guide
Action1Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business
1 Measures to Deal with Global Environmental Problems
a. Measures to Prevent Global Warming (New ERA Strategy)

Efficiency：
Reduction：

Efficient utilization of energy by society as a whole•Promoting load leveling •Promoting the spread of electric vehicles, etc.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply•Promoting nuclear power generation•Raising the thermal efficiency of fossil fuel power generation, etc.

Activities Abroad： Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming•International efforts such as expanded use of natural CO2 absorption mechanism•International business that aims to decrease CO2 emissions

b. Protecting the ozone layer

2 Measures to Deal with Local Environmental Problems
a. Measures to prevent air pollution•Reducing sulfur oxides (SOx)•Reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx)b. Measures to prevent water pollution•In-plant waste water treatment•Thermal discharge impact reduction

c. Measures to deal with chemical matters, etc.

•PRTR •Dioxin

Action2

Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society
1 Business Activities Geared Towards the Metabolic Society•Reducing and Reusing Waste Materials •Green Consumerism, etc.

2 Earnest Exchange and Cooperation with External Groups•Make public reports on our company’s environmental performance, increase opportunities for exchange with external groups•Develop grassroots activities in cooperation with external groups, etc.

3 Raising Employee’s Awareness of Their Responsibility as Global Citizens•Raise awareness among all employees that they are global citizens by carrying out environmental education andconsciousness raising activities, etc.

Concrete Action Plans
Eco Action 2000
Section 1 System of Environmental Measures

4Concrete Action Plans

Outline of Eco Action 2000 (Companywide action plan)[Set goals for the next 3 years and revise plans each year so as to stay on target for these goals.]

Item

Reduction of CO2 emissions per unit ofelectricity used (sold)Reduction of greenhouse gas

Improving capacity factor of nuclear power stations
Maintaining and improving thermal efficiency offossil fuel power stations
LNG use
Output expansion through hydro power station renovation(Total from fiscal 1989 to present)
Reduction in overall loss
(losses in generation, transmission and distribution)
SF6 gas exhaust control

Efficient use of energy

Leveling
off peakload①

Increase number of“time-of-use lighting” contracts②

Increase number of“load heat storage adjustment” contracts③

Increase peak-shift demandthrough planned adjustment contracts④ Promotion of peak-cut-type equipment
Introduction of electric vehicles
Use of untapped energy sources
Cooperation in helping spread the use of
new energy sources
Effective rate of 100,000 People’s Eco-Family Campaign

Reduction of SOx and NOx emissions
per fossil fuel power generation

Improving recycling of industrial wastes
Usage rate of 100% recycled copy paper
Compliance with ISO standards
Introduction of environmental accounting

5

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures(Fiscal 2000-2002)

Goals
Fiscal 2000
Approx. 0.3kg-CO2/kWh(forecast)Fiscal 2001

Fiscal 2002

Approx. 0.3kg-CO2/kWh(forecast)

Approx. 0.3kg-CO2/kWh(forecast)[Reference]
Result for fiscal 1999

See
page

13〜14

[Our goal for fiscal 2010]
We aim to reduce emissions to approx. 0.3 kg-CO2/kWh by 2010 in order tomeet the goals that have been set for the electric power industry (emissions
unit of CO2, based on use, to approx. 0.3 kg-CO2/kWh in fiscal 2010)

0.28kg-CO2/kWh

More than 80%

More than 80%

More than 80%

82.0%

19

More than 41%

More than 41%

More than 41%

41.9%

21

More than 5,000,000t

More than 5,000,000t

More than 5,000,000t

5,490,000t

2229,652kW

30,452kW

33,872kW

27,052kW

22

Reduce as much as
possible

Reduce as much as
possible

Reduce as much as
possible

8.7%

23

Gas reclamation rate during
equipment inspection: 90%

90%

90%

83%

25

110,000 contracts

130,000 contracts

150,000 contracts

95,000 contracts

3,000 contracts

4,000 contracts

5,000 contracts

2,804 contracts

500,000kW

530,000 kW

550,000 kW

530,000 kW

200,000 units

250,000 units

300,000 units

148,000 units

176 vehicles

We will set goals each year based onmarket trends and technological innovation

162 vehicles

17

10 districts

11 districts

10 districts

17

We will contribute to the spread of new sources of energy bypurchasing excess electricity generated byphotovoltaic power, wind power, and the burning of waste material

Photovoltaic power generation: 5,800,000kWh
Wind power generation:
0kWhPower generation using waste materials:
3,940,000kWh

18

70%

66% (Result for fiscal 1998)

56

15〜16

75%

12 districts

80%

SOx: maintaining at current reduced level(Reference: An average of 0.12 g/kWh for the five-year period from fiscal 1995 to 1999)

NOx: maintaining at current reduced level

0.08g/kWh37〜39(Reference: An average of 0.17 g/kWh for the five-year period from fiscal 1995 to 1999)

0.15g/kWhMore than 90%

More than 90%

More than 90%

88%

47〜49

Will switch by end of
fiscal year

100%

100%

—

50

Will work to increase the number of our business bases that are ISO compliant

18 districts

8

Will do as much as possible to make public the results of ourenvironmental accounting

—

9〜10

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures6

2

Environmental Management Systema. Our Environmental Management System(Companywide Efforts)

To boost independent efforts in all workplaces throughout
the company, we have appointed about 360 environmental project
promotion staff members, whose job it is to carry out activities
such as internal education and training and external public
relations for their own part of the company.
Every year, we publish for the general public the Kansai
Electric Power’s Global Environmental Action Report, which
outlines the state of our environmental management activities.

Environmental management at Kansai Electric is based on theprinciples of TQM (total quality management) *. This system isoutlined below. (See Figures 1 and 2.)
The Nuclear Power and Environmental Committee is chaired by ourcompany president and made up of members of management. Every
year, this committee sets concrete action plans for the entire company.
Based on the company’s environmental policies and actionplans, all divisions, departments, and branches make their own
plans and goals that they follow in their environmental
improvement activities. They independently check and review theresults of these activities.
The Environmental Considerations Department checks
and reviews all the various activities carried out throughout thecompany. When necessary, the Quality and Safety Improvement
Audit Department assesses the appropriateness and effectivenessof the environmental management system.
Furthermore, the Environmental Considerations
Department reports the results of the check-and-review process to
the Nuclear Power and Environmental Committee so that theseresults can be reflected in the company’s concrete action plans forthe following year.
The Environmental Considerations Department is thegeneral control center for the operation of the environmental
management system. In all divisions, departments, and branches,
the Department has set up organizational structures and appointed
personnel for the purpose of environmental management.

■PDCA Cycle (Figure 2)
Nuclear Powerand Environmental
Committee

Environmental
Considerations Dept.

All company divisions,departments,
and branches

Quality and Safety
Improvement
Audit Dept.

Notify concrete
activity plans forthe entire company
Defineenvironmental
policyReview activity results
and establish concrete
activity plans for theentire company

Establish
concrete activity
plans

Make the company’s
achievements open to
the public through the
Global Environmental
Action Report

Evaluate propriety andefficiency of the system

Implement
environmental
management activities
Check and review
activity results

Activities at the bases(see page 8,
Figure 3 for details)
Collect, check andreview activity results■Organization (Figure 1)
President
Policy andcorporate plan
definition

Planning/Implementation
Environmental Considerations Dept.
(Responsible for the entire company’senvironmental measures)

Nuclear Powerand Environmental
Committee[Chaired by the Vice
President (Chairman),with participants drawn
from the board of
directors and other areas]

Quality and Safety
Improvement Audit Dept.

Other divisions

Global Environmental
Project Promotion staff(Approximately
360 staff members)

Branch offices
Sales offices
Technical Research Center
Construction offices, etc.

Electric power offices

Power stations

Environmental Technical Research Center• Promotion ofvoluntary activities• Employee education• PR activities

Note: In 1981, we were the first electric power company to introduce a TQC (total quality control) method. In 1984, we received the Deming Prize for contributions to quality anddependability of product. Since then, we have been pursuing consistent and comprehensive activities aimed at improving our environmental performance.

7

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures

■ISO compliance activities (Figure 3)• Following laws and regulations• Developing concrete actionplans for the entire company• Assessing the environmental
impact of business activities•••

Manager’s environmental policy

Drawing up plans for environmental
improvement activities

Carrying out andmanaging these activities

power stations (see Figure 3). The result has been a vast
improvement in our ability to conserve energy and resources anda higher awareness of these issues among all employees.
Based on these results, we began environmentally-oriented
activities at our Mihama Power Station (nuclear) in fiscal 1999
and at our electric power offices and sales offices in fiscal 2000.

Acquiring External Certification

Auditing the system

Manager evaluates andimproves the systemb. Environmental Improvement Activities Basedon ISO 14001 (Examples from our bases)
Efforts at Bases to Create a Comprehensive
Environmental Management System
In order to improve the company’s environmental management
system, in 1997 we began building an environmental
management system compliant with ISO 14001, an international
environmental management standard, starting with our fossil fuelInternal auditors who have been trained at official external
institutions carry out our company’s system auditing process,which follows ISO 14001 standards. We have worked to makethis auditing as fair and objective as possible.
In fiscal 1999, the Miyazu Energy Research Center and
Himeji No. 1 Power Station (both fossil fuel power) achieved
ISO 14001 certification from third party institutions. This will
ensure even more objective assessment of our activities.
In fiscal 2000, we will continue our efforts by working
to make several more fossil fuel power stations ISO 14001
compliant.

Environmental Management System at the Miyazu
Energy Research Center理念
宮津エネルギー研究所は、温排水利用研究と新・省エネルギー研究、ならびに火力発電による電力の安定供給を使命としたエネルギー産業の一翼を担う事業所として、人々

The Miyazu Energy Research Center (fossil fuel power) works to protect theenvironment, following all laws and regulations and preventing pollution
before it happens. It also carries out research into new sources of energy.

の豊かな生活の実現を目指すとともに、当所および当所所員一人ひとりが地球市民の一員であることを自覚し、事業活動のすべてにおいて最重要課題の一つである地域環
境保全、ならびに地球環境保全に全力で取り組みます。

環境基本方針１． 所員一人ひとりの環境保全に係わる意識向上を図り、環境保全活動の推進体制を確立し、環境管理システムの継続的改善に努めます。

２．法令及び関係自治体との協定を遵守し、積極的かつ継続的な環境保全活動を推進します。
３．環境保全設備の性能の維持ならびに循環型社会に適合した事業活動の推進により、環境汚染の未然防止に努めるとともに、教育訓練の実施により異常時の即応体制の維持に努めます。

４．発電熱効率の維持向上、省エネルギー活動の推進に努めます。

５．温排水利用研究、新・省エネルギー研究を通じ、地域環境保全と地球環境保全に努めます。

６．地域共生活動などに積極的に取り組み、当所の環境保全活動を社外に積極的にＰＲするとともに、ＰＲ施設において環境保全に関する提言を通じて、地域環境保全活動に努めます。

制定

関西電力

平成9年11月28日

最終改正

平成12年5月30日

関

力

西

電

株

式

会

社

宮 津 エ ネ ル ギ ー 研 究 所
所長

TopicsBy doing away with a special bus that used to take employees to work and having them instead takepublic transportation, the Miyazu Energy Research Center has cut costs and taken a contributor of
exhaust fumes off the road.
This has allowed the public bus system, which used to operate in the red, to increase thenumber of buses and lengthen routes. Public transportation now takes people as far as our office andthe Tango Watch-Kan, a public exhibit which houses an aquarium.
This expansion of the bus system has meant more convenience for local senior citizens
and students traveling to school. The local municipality no longer has to subsidize underused bus
routes, the bus companies have more passengers to keep them in business, and there are fewer carson the road. Locals have praised the Miyazu Energy Research Center for energizing public
transportation and creating convenience in the local
community.
The Miyazu City Eco Network, formed by thecity and major local groups, has called for companies in
the area to be ISO 14001 compliant. By being the firstcompany to do so, the Miyazu Energy Research Centerhas made itself the cityﾕs leading corporate citizen.

Miyazu Energy Research Center Environmental Policy Leaflet

Miyazu Energy Research Center

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures8

3

Environmental Accounting

Environmental accounting is a method for quantitatively
calculating, analyzing, and publicizing the costs related toenvironmental protection (investment and expenses) and theeffects of these investments and expenses. Kansai Electricbegan working towards introducing environmental accounting
in fiscal 1999. Using the publication “Towards Establishing an

Environmental Accounting System (Fiscal 2000 Report)”, a
guideline put out by the Environment Agency in May 2000, we
carried out a solidly grounded trial accounting of as much of
the entire company’s environmental costs and effectiveness as
was possible.

Range of total: Entire company
Period: April 1, 1999-March 31, 2000
Environmental protection costs

Units: 100 million yen

Field

Main items(1) Environmental protection costs to control theenvironmental burdens from manufacturing andservicing activities that arise within the business areas(costs within business areas)

Amountinvested

Expenses

76.7

337.9

①Pollution prevention costs

Air pollution prevention measures(eliminating sulfur and nitric acid)
Water pollution prevention measures

44.0

286.8

②Environmental protection costs

Measures to improve the thermal efficiencyof existing thermal power stations; purchasing
excess power from new energy sources

31.8

37.7

③Cost of recycling resources

Recycling industrial waste

0.9

13.4

(2) Costs to control the environmental burdens that arise
upstream or downstream as a result of manufacturing
and servicing activities (upstream/downstream costs)

Introducing electric vehicles

0.0

0.7

(3) Environmental protection costs incurred inmanagement activities (management activities costs)

Environmental concentration measurement
surveys, in-house education, ISO 14001
certification by third party certification bodies

0.6

14.3

(4) Environmental protection costs incurred in researchand development activities (R&D costs)

Absorbing CO2, fixing CO2 levels,
recycling waste, superconductivity research

0.7

29.0

(5) Environmental protection costs incurred duringsocial activities (social activities costs)

Underground line construction, afforestation
work, making environmental reports public

420.8

511.4

(6) Costs to deal with environmental damage(environmental damage costs)

Levies on pollution

0.0

12.3

498.8

905.6

Details

Total* Amount invested: The cost of plant and equipment incurred in construction
Expenses: Cost of maintaining and operating plant and equipment, cost of in-house education, other costs

Reference

Units: 100 million yen

Main items

9

Total investment during the related period

Construction of power stations

Total R&D expenses during the related period

R&D to streamline operation of power stations

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures

Total amount
6,122.9
276.3

Effect of environmental protection activities
Field(1) Effect of environmental
protection in business areas(effect within business areas)

Items

Unit

SOx

Compared tofiscal 1990

Details

0.08g/kWh0.09g/kWhTotal emissions: 3,808 t

NOx

0.15g/kWh0.09g/kWhTotal emissions: 6,626 t

CO20.28kg-CO2/kWh

0.07kg-CO2/kWh

Total emissions: 39,260,000 t-CO2

Industrial waste, etc.

Recycling rate: 88%

Total emissions: 101,000 t

Items

Results for each year

Total results

Introducing electricvehicles

162 vehicles(Total at end of fiscal 1999)—

Total cable length forunderground electricalwiring routes

339km

12,064km

Green zoning area

5,000 m2

4,089,000 m2

Tree planting

33,000 trees

235,000 trees (Total since fiscal 1993)

Community beautification

801 times

2,753 times (Total since fiscal 1996)(2) Effect of environmental
protection upstream or
downstream(upstream/downstream effects)(3) Other effects

Economic effect of environmental protection measures
Field

Units: 100 million yen

Main items

Total amount

Income from recycling

Flue gas desulfurization plasterCosts saved from energy conservation

Measures to improve the thermal efficiency of existing thermal power stations

Costs saved from things like reuse and recycling Reuse of things like transformers

0.4
3.6
33.3
37.3

Total
(*) The economic effects of environmental protection do not include estimates based on hypothetical calculations.

Future Environmental Efforts
It is not possible to take compound costs that consist ofenvironmental costs among many others and isolate in detail
only those costs that are related to environmental protection.
A typical example of a compound cost is nuclear power
stations, which are an effective way of contributing to the
reduction of global warming but are also an important source of
secure energy. However, since there are so many ways we could
separate the environmental protection costs from the overall costof nuclear power stations, we have left this area out of ourenvironmental accounting in this report.
But if we were to calculate things like the cost of wastematerial disposal at nuclear power stations as environmental
protection costs, it would total investments of about ¥60 billion
and expenses of about ¥170 billion.

Depending on the method of calculation, environmental
protection costs vary greatly. Since there are risks involved insuch calculation, we did not sum up environmental cost in thisreport. We will, however, consider it for future reports.
We are also carrying out solidly grounded trial
accounting of economic effects.
We will continue to work to achieve a more accurate
idea of our environmental protection costs and effectiveness inorder to make environmental accounting a more powerful toolfor creating and carrying out effective environmental protection
measures.

Section 1 System of Environmental Measures10Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business1

Measures to Prevent Global Warming
CO2 Emissions Worldwide and in Japan

CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, the basis of much of our social andeconomic activity, are considered a major cause of global warming.
Worldwide CO2 emissions amounted to approximately 22.6
billion t-CO2 (result for 1997), with Japan accounting for 5% of
the total (see Figure 4).
Looking at CO 2 emissions in Japan by sector, theindustry sector accounted for 40%, the domestic sector(households) 13%, the commercial sector 12%, and thetransportation sector 21% (see Figure 5).
Of the increase in CO 2 emissions caused by energy
generation in each sector since fiscal 1990, sharp increases
were attained of 13% in the commercial sector and 21% in thetransportation sector, while the industry sector almost
maintained its current levels (see Figure 6). This is mainly due
to the increase of energy consumed with the growth ofamenities in the commercial sector, as well as the increase in
number and size of private cars in the transportation sector.
■World CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion(1997) (Figure 4)

Others30%(Figure 5)
Waste material
1.7%

U.S.A.
24%

Energy conversion
6.8%

Industrial processing
4.8%(power stations, oil
refineries, etc.)(limestone consumption,etc)

Transportation
20.9%(cars, ships,
planes, etc.)

Total
1230.8 million
t-CO2
En

erg

y-r elate d 92%Commercial
11.6%(offices,other businesses)

Domestic
12.6%

Industry
40.1%(households)(factories, etc.)■Japan’s CO2 emission trend by sector (Figure 6)
China
14%

Australia 1%

Others 1.5%

(incineration of plastics, etc.)(Note)• Figures indicate percentage of total emissions by power plants allotted to various sectors by
their final demand in proportion to their power usage.
• Figures in this graph indicate percentage of total emissions.
• “Others” includes statistical errors as well as the consumption of lubricants.
Source: assembled from Environment Agency data

Worldwide:
22.6 billion t-CO2

Expansion rate since fiscal 1990 isindicated in parentheses(million t-CO2)

Mexico 2%
France 2%
Korea 2%
Italy 2%■Japan’s CO2 emissions by sector (Fiscal 1997)

（+1％）

500

RussiaJapan 6%
5%

Industry

400

Canada 2%
U.K. 2%300

Germany 4%

493

490

Commercial
and Domestic（+13％）
298

India 4%263

Source: Outline of Energy and Economic Statistics 2000
Japan Energy and Economic Research Institute200（+21％）

258

Transportation
212

（+8％）

100
EnergyConversion
0

84

77

90

97

Source: assembled from Environment Agency data

11

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business(Fiscal year)

Measures to Reduce CO2 Emissions in the Electric Power Industry
Japan’s electric utility companies strive to reduce CO2 emissions voluntarily.

To reduce CO2 emissions resulting from power generation, we must
attack the problem from both the supply side and the demand side.
CO2 emissions(kg-CO2)=Power consumption
×(kWh)
Quantity of electricity consumed

CO2 emissions
per unit of power generated(kg-CO2/kWh)
CO2 emissions unit

In order to achieve this, electric utility companies have taken a numberof measures to reduce CO2 emissions per kWh, by working to achieve
the optimum generation capacity mix with a focus on nuclear power
and improve the efficiency of facilities at fossil fuel power stations.
We are also promoting load leveling to achieve efficientenergy use by developing and popularizing equipment that has highenergy efficiency.

The Electric Power Industry’s Environmental
Plan of Action

the Environmental Plan of Action for the Electric Power Industry in
November 1996, in order to step up voluntary efforts to solve
problems such as global warming. The second review was
conducted in September 1999.
The plan outlines the goal for the electric industry to strive
to reduce CO2 emissions units (amount of emission per 1kWh ofelectric power consumed by customers) in fiscal 2010 by around
20% (approximately 0.3kg-CO2/kWh) of fiscal 1990 levels bypromoting nuclear power development and improving the nuclear
power utilization factor.
Accordingly, even though gross electric power output is
expected to increase by 150% by 2010, CO2 emissions are expected
to increase by around 120%, based on 1990 levels.
CO2 emissions
approx.
340 million t-CO2(1.2×1990 levels)=

Power consumption
approx.
1 trillion kWh(1.5 times)

×CO2 emissions
per unit of power consumed
approx. 0.3kg-CO2/kWh(20% reduction)

The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan published

Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3)
Approximately 10,000 people from fields such as government, NGOs, andmedia in 161 countries participated in the Third Session of the Conference of theParties to the UNFCCC (COP3) held in Kyoto, December 1-11, 1997.
Although assertions from each country were strongly divided over thegoals for greenhouse gas reduction, the conference ended by adopting the Kyoto
Protocol to determine concrete numerical goals for advanced nations. The Kyoto
Mechanism and observance systems will be decided in detail at COP6 which
will be held in the Netherlands in November 2000.

■Main Contents of the Kyoto Protocol
Target Period

Five years between 2008 and 2012 (First Phase)

Target Gas

CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, HFC, PFC, SF6 (note 1)

Base Year

1990 (1995 may also be selected for HFC, PFC, SF6)

Emission Reduction Target

At least 5% reduced from the base year by advanced nations (note 2) as a whole
EU 8%, U.S.A. 7%, Japan 6%, Russia 0%, Australia +8%, etc.

Sinks

Resulting from land use change and forestry activities, limited to afforestation, reforestation and deforestation
since 1990, were considered. Although implementation was decided, details will be determined at a later date.

Kyoto
Mechanism

Emissions Trading

The difference between numerical goals and actual emission can be traded as an “emission right.”

Joint
Implementation

If the greenhouse gas reduction project is performed among advanced nations, emission reductions
from the project can be transferred and/or obtained.

Clean Development
Mechanism

The greenhouse gas reduction project will be performed between advanced nations and developing
nations. Advanced nations can obtain their reduced amount through a certain authentication
procedure. Developing nations also receive profit from the project activities.

(between advanced nations
and developing nations)“Buenos Aires
Plan of Action”
adopted at
COP4. Rules ofmechanism will
be determined
before COP6.

(note 1) HFC (hydrofluorocarbons) and PFC (perfluorocarbons) are substitution gases for specific chlorofluorocarbons. SF6 (sixth fluoridation sulfur) is insulation gas.
(note 2) Advanced nations: Annex B countries to the Kyoto Protocol (OECD member nations as well as the former Soviet republics and Eastern European nations); 38
countries, 1 international organization (EU)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

12Kansai Electric’s Measures to Prevent Global Warming - New ERA Strategy
Kansai Electric attacks the global warming problem with its New ERA Strategy.

Kansai Electric is actively developing its New ERA Strategy, acomprehensive policy on the further reduction of greenhouse gas.
We will continue to explore new possibilities that can be
integrated in this strategy.
“ERA” is an acronym for
Efficiency:
efficient utilization of energy by society as a whole
Reduction:
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply
Activities Abroad:activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming.
The initials “ERA” also represent our commitment to cultivate a
new era in environmental protection (see Figure 7).
A report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Changes) states that the impact of global warming on
nature and society will appear over a long-term period, and areas

affected will increase throughout the whole world.
In order to solve the global warming problem, not only is
it vital to take immediate action but also to face the problem witha medium/long-term and global view.
Kansai Electric will continue endeavoring to maintainsustainable development by simultaneously achieving its goals the 3Es, which are:Economical Growth
Energy Security
Environmental Preservation
We are working to balance the “E,” “R,” and “A” of our New
ERA Strategy in order to propel our long-term endeavor topreserve the global environment.
The various measures included in the New ERA Strategy
are described from page 14 onwards.

■New Era Strategy (Figure 7)
Promoting load levelingthrough development andpopularization of high-efficiency
electrical appliances

Promoting an eco-friendly
transportation system
Utilizing untapped energy sources
Developing andpopularizing new energy

Efficiency
Efficient utilization of energy bysociety as a whole
Promoting nuclear
power generation

Improving thermal
efficiency of fossil fuelpower stations

Reduction

Reduction ofgreenhouse gas
emissions in electric
power supply

Activities Abroad
Activities carried out
abroad to prevent
global warming

Developing tropical rain
forest reforestation andmangrove afforestation
techniques in order toexpand CO2 absorption

Renovating hydropower stations
Undertaking projects abroad inorder to utilize the Kyoto Mechanism
Developing fuel gas
decarbonization technology

13

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our BusinessKansai Electric’s CO2 reduction target■CO2 emissions per unit of power generated andnuclear/hydropower ratio (1998) (Figure 9)■Trend of CO2 emissions per unit of electric power
consumed (Figure 8)
140
130
120
110
100

（kg-CO2/kWh）

131.9

120.6 122.7 122.6 123.3

140.4
137.4 138.8
133.8 136.4

Volume of power consumed (sold)(billion kWh)

CO2 emissions perunit of power consumed

0.35
0.33

0.33
0.31

0.30
0.28

40 42.6

0.27

40.7

43.2

41.9

0.26
41.0

37.6

30

39.3

0

90

91

92

93

Volume of CO2 emissions

94

95

96

97

0.25

35.2

0.20

(million t-CO2)

0

0.30

0.25

35.7

33.9

0.35

（kg-CO2/kWh）

0.31

50

CO2 emissions perunit of power consumed

150(million t-CO2)

Volume of CO2 emissions

Volume of power consumed (sold)(billion kWh)0
98
99
(Fiscal year)■CO2 emissions saved by New ERA Strategy(Figure 10)

CO2 emissions perunit of power generated

Under the New ERA Strategy, we have set a number of numericalgoals to reduce CO2 emissions per kWh (emissions per unit ofpower consumed) utilized (sold) in fiscal 2010 to 0.3kgCO2/kWh, in accordance with the targets of the electric powerindustry (see page 12).
As a result of the New ERA Strategy, CO2 emissions
utilized in fiscal 1999 amounted to 0.28kg-CO 2/kWh, a
reduction of approximately 8% over fiscal 1990 despite the 16%
increase of electrical power consumed (sold). (see Figure 8.)
Kansai Electric’s CO2 emissions per kWh are lower thanthose of major Western nations, just above France with its highnuclear power ratio and Canada with its high hydropower ratio. We
will continue in our efforts to voluntarily and assertively reduce
CO2 emissions based on the New ERA Strategy (see Figure 9).

（kg-CO2/kWh）

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0

Ratio of electric
power generated

Endeavoring to reduce CO2 emissions
per unit of power consumed.

0.45

0.54

0.59

0.32
0.21

0.23

0.09
FranceCanada Kansai Electric Japan

U.K.

Italy

37

30

20

11

2

13

20
40

0.50

47
77

60

Germany

U.S.

29

21
9

3

11

60

Nuclear power

80

12

Hydropower100（％）
Source for foreign countries: Energy Balances of OECD Countries 1997-1998
Source for Japan: survey by the Federation of Electric Power Companies
Note: Kansai Electric’s emissions per unit of CO2 are just above those of France(high nuclear ratio) and Canada (high hydropower ratio)

The effect of CO2 reduction through the
New ERA Strategy

Promoting nuclear power is the key
to reduction of CO2 emissions
As a result of our efforts, CO2 emissions saved were approximately 20.5
million t-CO2 less in fiscal 1999 as compared to fiscal 1990 levels. Thisis equivalent to approximately 2% of Japan’s total CO2 emissions – 1.23
billion t-CO2 – in fiscal 1997. Converted into the petroleum equivalent,
this amounted to an estimated saving of approximately 7.4 million s ofoil (equivalent to about 70% of our annual fuel consumption).
Nuclear power generation accounted for approximately 90% of
the total reduction, primarily due to the start-up of Units 3 and 4 at the
Ohi Power Station (nuclear) after 1990 and the increased generation of
CO2-free nuclear power owing to the improved capacity utilization
factor at nuclear power stations.
Other measures to reduce CO2 emissions include improved
thermal efficiency at fossil fuel power stations, use of LNG, anddevelopment of hydropower resources (see Figure 10).
Cooperative measures withlocal communities, etc.

0.4 million t-CO2 (1.8%)

Development ofhydropower resources, etc.

0.4 million t-CO2 (1.8%)

40

Improved thermal efficiency offossil fuel1.0 million t-CO2 (4.8%)30

Use of LNG

1.1 million t-CO2 (5.5%)

20

Improved capacity factor of
nuclear power stations

5.2 million t-CO2 (25.6%)

Operation of
new nuclear power stations

12.4 million t-CO2 (60.5%)(million t-CO2)

60
50

12.9

15.6

21.1

21.2

20.5

42.6

41.9

41.0

35.7

35.2

39.3

90

95

96

97

98

99 (Fiscal year)

100

CO2 emissions

CO2 emissions saved(Note) * Percentage may not add up to exactly 100% as figures are rounded off.

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

14

E
R A

Efficiency(Efficient utilization of energy by society as a whole)

Promoting Load LevelingKansai Electric promotes the use of off-peak nighttime electricity which emits less CO2.

(kg-CO2/kWh)(thousands in cases)
100
Number of contracts forour time-specific electricity
80(cases)95
80

2,804 3,000

65
2,500

60
49
1,877

2,000

40
1,392
20

1,103

1,500

Number of contracts forour heat storage adjustment systems

0

0.35

3,500

96

97

98

1,000

Number of contracts forour heat storage adjustment systems■Kansai Electric’s CO2 emissions per electricity sold(Estimates) (Figure 11)■Number of contracts for our heat storage adjustment
systems and time-specific electricity (Figure 12)

Number of contracts forour time-specific electricity

In recent years, the increasing demand for electricity to power air
conditioners in the daytime has created a large gap between daytime
and nighttime electricity use. Kansai Electric Power has been trying
to narrow this gap (load leveling) and thus achieve effective use ofenergy and facilities. As well, we have been pushing for more useof nighttime electricity, which results in less CO2 emissions andthus less contribution to global warming (Figure 11).

0
99 (Fiscal year)

0.31（0.31）
0.30

0.28（0.28）

Efficiency

0.25
0.22（0.22）
0.20
0.15
0.10
0
Daily AverageNighttime (10pm-8am)

Daytime (8am-10pm)(Average demand over five years from 1995 to 1999. Figures in parentheses are for 1999 only.)

To achieve this, we have been striving to spread the use of our ice(water) storage air-conditioning systems and electric water heaters. In
addition, we introduced a system of cheaper electricity rates in the evenings
in an attempt to shift some of the use from the peak daytime period and thus
lessen the above-mentioned electricity gap between day and night.
These are some of the benefits of our nighttime electricity
use devices and system:
1 Customers achieve substantial savings by using
cheaper nighttime electricity.
2 We can improve our operation efficiency by reducing
power generation costs because the gap between
daytime and nighttime demand can be leveled off.
3 Through the use of nighttime power, with its highnuclear power generation ratio and low CO2 emissions,
we are contributing less to global warming.
As a result of our promotion of these programs, there has been asteady increase in the number of contracts for our “load heatstorage adjustment” and “time-of-use lighting” (see Figure 12).

15

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

Apart from these, we have had great success in shifting use awayfrom peak periods with our systematic adjustment contracts andthrough the introduction of the Eco-Vender, a peak-cut-type softdrink vending machine.
In November 1999, to celebrate reaching 2000 contract customers
for our load heat storage adjustment systems, we held the Kanden (Kansai
Electric) Customer Forum 2000, at which participants vowed to spread theword and the use of load heat storage adjustment systems.
Furthermore, starting in March 2000, we introduced plansincluding our “Happy Time” initiative (customers sign up forelectric supply that varies depending on the season and time of day),which lowers electricity costs during the morning, evenings, andholidays, times when the whole family is often together at home.
Such are the electricity fee systems we are introducing inorder to level the electricity load. The public and private sectors arealso working together to promote more effective and efficient use ofelectricity by offering tax incentives, preferential financing, andgovernment subsidies. As well, every July, the Heat Pump/Energy
Storage Center sponsors Energy Storage Month, during which time,
the Get-together for Energy Storage events bring together 10 powercompany presidents, related companies and groups, building
owners, and representatives from public agencies. Kansai ElectricPower also joins in, cooperating with the public and private sectors
in presenting events like the Energy Storage Fair and the Eco Ice
Campaign, held twice a year in summer and winter.

E
R A

Developing Technology forHighly Efficient Energy Use

Kansai Electric is promoting the use of energy storage air-conditioning
systems which store energy as ice or cold water by utilizing lessexpensive off-peak nighttime electricity. The space requirements for
the Eco-Ice (ice-storage air-conditioning system) are even less thanthose for the cold water system, adding to its increasing popularity.
In October 1998, in collaboration with electric powercompanies and manufacturers, we developed the Eco-Ice Mini foruse in offices andshops with an area of
50-200squaremeters. We are also
promotingourenergy storage airconditioning systems
to a wide spectrum
TV commercial for Kansai Electric’s Eco-Ice Miniof customers.
Since 1999, Kansai Electric has been endeavoring topromote the Ice-Storage Freezing Water Condensing Systemthroughjoint development with manufacturers. This systemfreezes drainage water at night to reduce the volume ofdrainage water by making pure ice. It also makes other uses ofwater such as storing ice as an energy source for air
conditioning or sprinkling melted water.
Furthermore, we are promoting the installation of the
Eco-Vendor, a peak-cut-type
soft drink vending machine,
as well as electric vehicles
and electric water heaters,that draw minimal electricity
during peak-load times.

Generating constant output is more energy-efficient andeconomical than starting up and shutting down the power station
to adjust to fluctuations between nighttime and daytime demand.
Accordingly, Kansai Electric is researching and studying
power storage batteries such as redoxflow battery which will
enable nighttime power to be stored during the nighttime and thenput to use during the daytime.

Ice-Storage Freezing
Water Condensing System

Efficiency

Promoting and expanding load levelingapparatus and systems

Redoxflow battery

Inverter

Main body

We are also conducting technological development onhigh efficiency power equipment aimed at leveling off the peakload. By examining ways to increase the efficiency and operation
methods of heat pumps and heat storage systems, we developed
appliances that make highly effective use of electricity, such as the
Small Eco-Ice (ice-storage air-conditioning system) with homewater-heater, and the Eco-Ice Mini, a small ice-storage airconditioning package. We also developed the Air-Conditioning
System with Thermal Storage in Slabs which utilizes nighttime
electricity and uses stored heat from the building structure byblowing cold and hot air against large heat capacity concrete slabs.

Eco-Ice Mini

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

16

E
R A

Efficiency(Efficient utilization of energy by society as a whole)

Promoting an Eco-Friendly Transportation System
Electric vehicles lead to reduction of CO2 emissions for society as a whole.

Efficiency

Electric vehicles are more energy-efficient than gasoline vehicles, as theyemit some 60% less CO2 even when taking into consideration the loss ingeneration (from the 1997 edition of the Environmental White Paper). CO2
emissions are further reduced when electricity is charged at night.
At present, Kansai Electric is aggressively promoting the use ofelectric vehicles within the company. We have also placed 162 electricvehicles (as of March 2000, excluding vehicles solely for use on thepremises) mainly at five sales offices located in major cities, and are using
them on a daily basis. We plan to further
increase the number of electric vehicles
introduced as a replacement for gasoline anddiesel vehicles.
Recently, electric scooters which canbe recharged at 100V have become popular.
These scooters contribute to reducing CO2
Electric scooter
emissions if they are recharged at night.

Kobe Eco-Car Co., Inc.
Kobe Eco-Car Co., Inc., a subsidiary of Kansai Electric, commenced
business in April 1998. Kobe Eco-Car is the first car-rental agent in Japan torent out “eco-cars” (low pollution vehicles) such as electric vehicles andcurrently it has 53 eco-cars.
As well as installing electricity supply stands for electric cars at 28
locations in Kobe City, Kobe Eco-Car has set up a service system toaccommodate both tourism and business operations. Promoting the eco-car is
expected to raise
citizens’ environmental
awareness and upgrade
Kobe’s image as a“clean sightseeing city.”

Electric vehicle

Utilizing Untapped Energy Sources
Kansai Electric contributes to environmental preservation by converting untappedenergy into useful energy
As part of our efforts to promote regional heating and cooling systems, we haveestablished 10 regional heating services throughout Kansai (see Table 1).
We are also considering
introducing a regional heat supply thatmakes use of river water in the Osaka
Konohana Rinkai districts andNakanoshima 3-chome.

A large amount of energy in municipal areas disappears without being used.
Recycle-type regional heating services which make effective use of such
untapped energy contribute to environmental preservation.
We are making efforts to convert untapped energy from sources such as
steam from fossil fuel power stations, waste heat exhausted from office buildings
and computers, and the regional heat supply, by taking advantage of thedifferences between river or seawater temperatures and atmospheric temperatures.

Cosmo Square, Osaka Nanko■Projects for Practical Use of Untapped Energy (Table 1)
Area
StartedService area (ha)Facility capacity

Energy source17

Low temperature
heat (RT)High temperature
heat (Gcal/h)Osaka
Nishi Umeda
Apr. 1991
11

Osaka
Honjo Higashi
Jan. 1992
6

Nakanoshima
6-chome Nishi
Nov. 1992
2

Waste heat from
Waste heat from
Waste heat fromcogeneration computers and buildings
buildings

Osaka Nanko
Kansai
Wakayama
Kobe Research
Tenmabashi
Rinku Town
Cosmo SquareInternational Airport
Marina City
Park Kanoko-dai
1-chomeArea
Apr. 1994
Apr. 1994
Jul. 1994
Nov. 1994
Jan. 1996
Sep. 1996
21
511
49
15
5
49
Sea water temperature,
River water temperature, Waste heat from
Waste heat from
Extracted steam from
Waste heat fromwaste heat fromwaste heat frompower stations
power stations
computers and buildings
substations
cogeneration and buildings
cogeneration

Sannomiya
Station
Apr. 1999
1
Waste heat from buildings
and cogeneration

3,217

3,041

2,740

17,70026,3805,050

10,460

6,600

5,550

2,150

9.0

5.1

5.2

49.5

77.1

18.0

6.6

25.1

25.8

5.5

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

E
R A

Developing New Energy Sources
Kansai Electric also endeavors to use natural energy, etc.

changeable weather conditions, and the generation cost is higher than fortraditional forms of energy. However, in Japan, which lacks natural
resources, these new energy sources are being developed assertively, andthe volume of photovoltaic power generation introduced is the highest in
the world. Meanwhile, Japan’s wind power installations fall below
international levels, with only 1% of available land area used comparedwith Denmark which uses approximately 50% (see Figure 13).

Wind power generation(thousand kWh)

150

133
100

100

54

50

18

0
0

Japan

U.S.

Germany

32

Italy
155

1,000

6

1

1

Dutch

U.K.

Denmark

425

474
1361

2,000
3,000

2055
2579

(thousand kWh)

6000

5804

(Purchases)

4636

4000

5000

5000
4000

556

1000
1
12

2

58

5
83

93

92

94

259

1000

1454

247 554

95

2000

2528

1569

2000

0

3000

3035

3000

96

97

98

Efficiency

Photovoltaic power generation■Photovoltaic and wind power introduced (1998) (Figure 13)■Purchase of surplus power from photovoltaic
generation (Figure 14)

Number of purchases(bar graph)

Although natural energy sources such as photovoltaic and wind power
are CO2-free, energy density is low, power generation is unstable due toelectricity and hope to sell surplus power can have their equipment linked to ourpower grid (see Figure 14). To encourage the early development and use of thisnew technology, the purchase price of such surplus power is set equivalent to theordinary sales price.

Volume of electric power purchased(line graph)

Photovoltaic and wind power generation

0
99 (Fiscal year)

Note: There are no records for surplus power purchased from wind power generation.

Furthermore, we are planning to implement a Green Electric Power
System for large-scale wind power generation and photovoltaic power generation
for public use through cooperation between Kansai Electric and our customers.

(thousand kWh)Electric power from waste is generated by using combustion heat from waste as aheat source. Since there is no additional burden on the environment from thissystem, Kansai Electric purchases waste-generated power at a higher price thansurplus power from other independent power producers and at a similar price toKansai Electric’s unit selling price. We also provide consulting services to local
governments on matters such as effective patterns of generation. In 1999, Kansai
Electric purchased 394 million kWh of electricity generated by the municipal
waste incineration from 12 cities (22 purchases). (see Figure 15)■Purchase of surplus power from waste generation (Figure 15)(million kWh)

394

400
300
200
100
0

277

152
11

92

161
12

93

179

16

346

352

19

20

30

287
22

20

17

13

94

(Purchases)

10

95

96

97

98

Number of purchases(bar graph)

Under the auspices of NEDO (New Energy Development
Organization, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry), our Rokko Test
Center has installed equipment for photovoltaic power generation (500 kW) andwind power generation (33 kW). Trial tests are being conducted on the effect ofphotovoltaic generation on power quality and safety when numerous
photovoltaic power systems are connected to our power grid, as well as
countermeasures and technology to improve utilization merit.
Photovoltaic cells are expected to become an important auxiliary
energy source in years to come. Therefore, we install more photovoltaic facilities
when building or renovating our buildings. As of the end of fiscal 1999, 740kW
of photovoltaic power generation systems have been installed, moving us closer
to the fiscal 2000 target of 765kW.
Kansai Electric has also installed a low wind velocity power generator to
conduct verification tests and deepen our knowledge of actual operation. At the endof fiscal 1999, equipment with a combined capacity of 159kW had been installed.
We have been promoting an institutional program for new energy
sources such as photovoltaic power since April 1992. Customers who install
power generation equipment for new energy sources to produce household

Power Generation Using Waste materials

Volume of electric power purchased(line graph)

Source: Assembled by Kansai Electric from General Energy Chosakai’s New Energy Meeting and NEDO data.
Note: Solar power figures are for end of fiscal 1998. Wind power figures are for end of 1998.

099 (Fiscal year)

Purchasing cities: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Suita, Wakayama, Toyonaka, Itami, Takatsuki, Sakai, Nishinomiya, Ibaraki, and Akashi

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Reduction(Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply)

Promoting Nuclear Power Generation
Kansai Electric promotes nuclear power generation which does not emit CO2.

Reduction

Improving capacity factor of nuclear power stations

Control of radioactive waste

Kansai Electric plans to increase electrical power generation
using nuclear energy, a power source that does not emit CO2,
while making every possible effort to improve the reliability andcapacity factor of our nuclear power stations.
We have taken specific steps at our nuclear power
stations to improve reliability and safety, such as replacing steam
generators and top lids of nuclear reactors, as part of our regularpreventive measures. We completed all the necessary steam
generator replacements in fiscal 1997.
By continuing to improve detailed process management
and operation efficiency, we plan to achieve short periodic
inspections around 40 days constantly, on condition that we
ensure safety and reliability. By doing so, we aim to upgrade theefficiency of maintenance work and set the capacity factor of ournuclear power stations at above 80% (see Figure 16).

Radioactive waste generated by our nuclear power stations ishandled through a rigorous and precise control system tominimize impact on the environment. Radiation impact to thesurrounding area is kept to an extremely low level, less than
1/1000 of the annual radiation dose from natural sources, about
1 millisievert (see Figure 17).
After separating valuable substances such as uranium
through reprocessing of spent fuel from nuclear power stations,remained high-level radioactive waste is stored safely for
approximately 30-50 years for cooling and disposed of several
hundred meters underground. Based on the Principles of Fair
Burden Between Generations, expenditure for future disposal is
to be secured as funds during operation at power stations.
Nuclear power is operated with reliable disposal of waste inconsideration of future generations (see Figure 18).

■Nuclear power generation capacity factor (Figure 16)
(%)

90
84.2
77.1

80
72.6
69.0

70

74.1

82.0
71.4

73.3

63.1
60
50
0

84.3

71.3 71.2
73.8
67.8
71.1
68.8
67.7

Target:80 and
over

61.3
57.3
53.2
80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 2001
(Fiscal year)■Control of radioactive waste (Figure 17)
Processing

Monitoring

Sources and levels of radiation
Effective dose equivalent(millisievert)

Gas

Natural radiation
Attenuatedin tank

10
Radiation
level
check

LiquidEvaporation andcondensation

Artificial radiation

FilterNatural dose perperson (annual)Continuous monitoringof radiation level(monitoring post)
Impact on theenvironment is checkedby periodically inspecting
the surrounding ecosystem.

Filtering・0.38 from space

6.9 Chest X-ray by CT scan
2.4
1・0.46 from the earth(excluding exposure for medical purposes)

0.3 Chest X-ray (once per year)

・0.24 from food・1.3 from radon

1.0 Dose limit for general public (annual)

0.1

Analysis of seaweed, grasses,
fish, sea bed sediment, soil
and dust in the air.

0.01

Solid
Solidification equipment(asphalt, cement)

Safely stored at
waste storage site
Incineration

19

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

0.001

Dose equivalentfrom nuclear power plant

E
R A■Processing and Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste (figure 18)
Generation of waste

Storage

DisposalCanister

Waste

Solidified glass body

Spent fuelReprocessing

Products

Processing

Canister
After separating uranium and otheruseful substances from the spent fuelthrough reprocessing, high-level
radioactive waste remains

Enriched, condensed waste fluids
and glass are mixed, creating a stable
solid substance inside the canister

The resulting substances are safely stored
to cool for about 30 to 50 years at storage
management centers in Rokkasho-mura,
Aomori Prefecture

Eventually, the waste is disposed of indeep stratums several hundred
meters underground

Activities Aimed at Gaining Trust

Under the Pluthermal Plan, plutonium which has been collectedby reprocessing spent fuel is mixed with uranium to form MOX
fuel (mixed oxide fuels) and then reused in nuclear reactors (lightwater reactor; thermal reactor). (The word “pluthermal” comesfrom the “plu” of plutonium and the “thermal” of “thermal
reactor.”) Countries such as Germany, France, and the UnitedStates have reported successful results with this program.
With limited natural resources, Japan’s basic energy policy is
to recycle any spent fuel that can possibly be reused. In line with thispolicy, Kansai Electric is proceeding with its own Pluthermal Plan.
Regarding the problem last year with MOX fuel produced
at BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.), our BNFL MOX Fuel Issue
Investigation and Examination Committee, with the help of outside
experts, is thoroughly investigating the causes of the problems andcreating measures to prevent recurrence. In June 2000, theCommittee presented its final report to the related organizations
including the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the
Fukui Prefectural Government. As a result of discussions with
BNFL, it was agreed that BNFL would recall the eight assemblies
of MOX fuel currently stored at the Takahama Power Station andcompensate Kansai Electric for its damages. We have to do ourutmost to gain the understanding of local public and private groups
affected by our operations.

Recent incidents in the nuclear power industry, such as thecriticality accident at the JCO uranium processing plant anderroneous data on MOX fuel at BNFL, have raised calls formore thorough quality control, safety management, and anincreased sense of responsibility among workers in the nuclear
power industry. This is why we at Kansai Electric are working
to gain the trust of society by creating measures to ensure safe
nuclear power and peace of mind for the general public.
The September 1999 criticality accident at JCO, the firstever such accident in Japan, had huge social and economic effects:
three workers, two of whom died, were seriously exposed toradiation and local residents were ordered to evacuate or stay indoors
for a period of time. Up until the accident, workers in the nuclear
power companies had been working to improve safety throughactivities such as exchange inspections among different plants andfacilities. However, the JCO accident provided the impetus for thecreation of the Nuclear Safety Network (NS Net), which works topromote mutual safety among not only power companies but also 35
companies and groups including fuel processing plants andmanufacturers. Currently, we are carrying out support activities
including information exchange and safety education and training.
The focus of activities is safety-oriented peer review among
members of the nuclear power industry (see Figure 19).

Reduction

Pluthermal Plan

■Nuclear Safety Network (Figure 19)
Japan Federation of Economic Organizations
Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc.
Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization
Atomic Energy Society of Japan
World Associations of
Nuclear Power Operators (WANO),Tokyo CenterCouncil
Liaison

Nuclear Safety Network(NS Net)Cooperation
Participants: Power companies, fuel processing companies,
Liaisonplant manufacturers, research institutes

Composed of neutral third
parties (experts, critics,
journalists, etc.)
Functions carrying out open,transparent discussions,thus acting as outside
checks of industry activities

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Reduction(Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply)

Improving and Maintaining Thermal Efficiency of Fossil Fuel Power Stations
Kansai Electric strives to conserve fossil fuel by improving thermal efficiency offossil fuel power generation.

Reduction

Measures to improve thermal efficiency using
combined cycle generation

Combined cycle generating system with state-ofthe-art gas turbines

By improving thermal efficiency at fossil fuel power stations,
we are able to conserve fossil fuel which enables us to control
CO2 emissions. We have introduced highly efficient combined
recyle generation (thermal efficiency 54%) at our Himeji No. 1
Power Station. As a result, we have raised the total thermal
efficiency for fossil fuel power stations by maintaining a highutilization factor.
In combined cycle power generation, hot exhaust from agas turbine is routed to a heat recovery steam generator, where it
is used to generate steam to run a steam turbine. Effective
combination of these two generation cycles can improve thethermal efficiency of the entire generation facility.
We are also working to maintain and improve thermal
efficiency by adopting improvement measures for both
equipment and operation at steam turbine plants, an existing
generation method.

We are planning to adopt a combined cycle power generation at
Wakayama Power Station, which is in the construction planningstages, incorporating state-of-the-art 1500˚C-class (combustor
exit temperature) gas turbines.
We expect that this will raise the gross thermal efficiency
to the world’s highest level, about 59%, and will reduce CO2
emissions from electricity generation by about 25% compared toconventional LNG power generation (see Figure 21).
Thermal efficiency is shown at a lower heating value.

■Kansai Electric’s fossil fuel power grosstransmission thermal efficiency (Figure 20)■Gross thermal efficiency of combined cycle
generating system (Figure 21)
Combined cycle plant(Example of Wakayama Power Station)
Gas turbine 40%
Generator output

59%
Fuel
(LNG)
100%

Steam turbine 19%

Steam cooling loss/other losses 41%
(%)

41.9

42

Steam turbine plant
Generator output

44%
Adoption of combined cyle
Fuel
(LNG)
100%

41

Steam cooling loss/other losses 56%

40

0

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99 (Fiscal year)

In recent years, we have introduced highly efficient combined cycle power generation with thermal efficiency of 54%.
By operating existing equipment, gross thermal efficiency is approximately 41% at all fossil fuel power stations.

21

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Using LNG
Using LNG, a superb environmentally-friendly fuel■Amount of LNG consumed (Figure 22)(millions of t)

6.0

5.49

5.5
5.19
5.09
4.99

4.97

5.0

4.60
4.48

4.5

4.49

4.45

92

93

4.50

4.0
0

90

91

94

95

96

97

98

99
(Fiscal year)

Reduction

Since carrying out trials with LNG in 1973, we started importing
this fuel, first from Indonesia in 1977, then from Western Australia
in 1989, from Malaysia in 1995, and from Qatar in 1999. In 1999,
we used a total of 5.49 million tons of LNG. (See Figure 22.) Thisaccounts for approximately 72% of fuel used for thermal reactors(heavy oil conversion ratio), making it the major source of fuel forour company. LNG has minimal impact on the environment: it
contains almost no sulfur or
nitrogen, and it emits far less
CO2 than fossil fuels like oiland coal. We plan tocontinue making LNG ourmain fuel for our fossil fuelpower stations.
Ship carrying LNG from Qatar

Renovating Hydropower Stations
Kansai Electric endeavors to produce pure domestic energy with zero CO2 emissions.

■Increase in hydropower output from facility
renovation (Figure 23)(kW)40,00035,00033,87230,000Hydropower output

It has become increasingly difficult to conduct large-scalehydropower development, since undeveloped areas are mainly
small in scale. However, because hydropower is a clean energy
resource that is purely domestic, we are developing this powersource as much as possible.
When we replace obsolete facilities in already-existing
power stations, we use more efficient water turbines. In rivers with
an ample amount of water, we strive to produce as much electricity
as possible by using the maximum amount of water for power
generation. From 1989 through fiscal 1999, output had increased
to 27,052 kW at hydropower stations as a result of plantrenovation.
We plan to further increase output by 6,820 kW, or sevenmore units, from fiscal 2000 through fiscal 2002 (see Figure 23).

29,65230,452

27,05225,00020,00017,342
17,842

15,00010,876

13,672

10,000
7,716
5,000

2,713
50

0

89

8,416

4,173
3,223

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99 2000 2001 2002
(Fiscal year)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Reduction(Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply)

Reducing Transmission and Distribution Losses
Striving to use energy more efficiently by reducing transmission and distribution losses

We have managed to reduce and maintain a low loss ratio formany years now at transmission and distribution facilities bydeveloping and introducing technology such as higher
transmission voltage and greater volumes of power transmitted
and distributed. (See Figure 24.) We will continue to work toensure that distribution facilities are structured so as to ensure
low transmission and distribution losses and that we operatefacilities with the same goals.

■Ratio of transmission and distribution losses(Figure 24)
(%)

40
30.8
30
20
11.6
10
0

1951

1960

6.2

5.1

5.3

1970

1980

1990

5.3
1999
(Fiscal year)

Technological development with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions
Reduction

Kansai Electric is conducting cutting-edge R&D in order to reduce CO2 emissions
Developing Flue Gas Decarbonization Technology
With the goal of eliminating CO2 from flue gas at fossil fuelpower stations, we have been researching chemical absorption
methods since 1991, by operating a flue gas CO2 recovery pilot
plant at Nanko Power Station (see photo right and Figure 25).
We have succeeded in reducing the amount of energy
required to recover CO2 by using newly developed absorbent
liquids, and we are evaluating the optimum system configuration
based on these results. We are working to solve problems such as
the large amounts of energy still needed to recover CO2 and theFlue gas CO2 recovery pilot plant at Nanko Power Station

environmental impact from disposal of recovered CO2.
We have applied for a patent for the results of ourresearch so far in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia, andmany countries have recognized the patent. Using these results,
highly efficient CO2 recovery equipment has been adopted at
Malaysian companies.
Also, we are conducting comprehensive CO2 recycling
studies, such as synthesizing methanol and dimethyl ether from
CO2 and using water electrolysis with solar batteries to produce
the hydrogen necessary for synthesis.

23

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business■Mechanism of flue gas CO2 recovery equipment(chemical absorption method) (Figure 25)
Denitrificationequipment

BoilerElectrostatic
precipitator

Exhaust gas

Recovered CO2

Absorber

Stripper

CO2

BlowerHeatingstreamCO2

Rich solvent Lean solvent
Fuel

Desulfurization equipment

Flue gas CO2 recovery equipment

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Developing Advanced Energy Supply Technology for the Future
Kansai Electric considers future energy.
Achieving Sustainable Energy

Research on electric power applied
superconductivity technology
Superconductivity technology could potentially bring about a revolution in
all areas of future society. Superconducting generators improve efficiency
over traditional generators and also improve power system stability.
Accordingly, incorporating superconducting generators leads to resource
conservation by reducing the use of fossil fuels and contributes to energy
conservation through improved stability of electric power systems, thereby
enhancing transmission capacity.
Kansai Electric is also engaged in basic research to determine thepossibility of applying superconductivity technology in power generation
apparatus, in preparation for a superconduction power generation system inthe 21st century, and participating in the government’s superconductivity
development project for the purpose of finding solutions to utilize
superconducting generators.

R&D on next-generation fuel batteries
Fuel cells, a system which generates electricity directly through a hydrogen andoxygen chemical reaction, are expected to develop into a new power generation

Toward joint R&D on nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the use of energy generated when plural nucleuses fuse into
one, as opposed to nuclear fission. It is expected to become a permanentsource of energy due to its superior features - it provides a stable supply offuel resources (its fuel - heavy hydrogen - is contained richly in the sea), a
fundamentally high safety level (reaction terminates immediately by stopping
the fuel supply), and advantages to environmental preservation (reaction does
not emit CO2 or SOx). In Japan, R&D on nuclear fusion is underway atinstitutions such as the International Thermal Nuclear Fusion Experimental
Reactor (ITER), the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, the National
Institute for Fusion Science, and Osaka University (see Table 2).
Designating nuclear fusion as one of the energy supplying
methods for the next generation, Kansai Electric is cooperating with researchat the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, the National Institute for
Fusion Science, Institute of Advanced Energy Kyoto University, and Osaka
University Nuclear Fusion Center.

Reduction

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power exist in much greater
abundance than the energy consumed by the human race and they can beconsidered in practically unlimited supply. However, these energy sources
have their setbacks: a low energy concentration, inconsistent output, andhigh costs. Conversely, while nonrenewable energy sources like oil have ahigh energy concentration and are inexpensive, they are in limited supply.
Consequently, before the nonrenewable energy sources are
depleted, we must create a society that can continue to function using therenewable energy sources. Furthermore, the current pace of global
warming will make it a major threat to the human race even before we runout of natural resources in the latter half of the 21st century. It is therefore
urgent that we secure sustainable energy sources as soon as possible.
This century we must introduce renewable energy sources that areeconomical, while at the same time making the most efficient use of fossil
fuels and developing advanced technology aimed at supplying the next
generation of energy. We at Kansai Electric vow to work earnestly towardachieving these goals.

system. This is an efficient method of low energy conversion loss, enabling fueldiversification using fuels such as natural gas, methanol, and coal.
Kansai Electric is conducting an elementary technicaldevelopment of the Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell and the Solid Oxide Fuel
Cell, two next-generation fuel cells with high power-generation capacity
and superior utilization of exhausted waste heat. Our goal is to apply thesecells to be used in the electric power sources of the future.

■Research activities by main research agents (Table 2)
Main theme
Research agent

Reactor coreplasma technology

Reactor engineering technology
Technologies relating to other areas

Japan Atomic Energy
Research Institute*

Designing of Tokamak reactor,
Magnetic Confinement reactor materials,
superconduction magnet,
Fusion (Tokamak)
tritium, measuring, theory

Electrotechnical Laboratory

Pinch Method
Inertial Confinement
FusionNational Institutefor Fusion Science*

Magnetic Confinement Measuring, theory, reactor materials,
superconduction magnet,
Fusion (Helical)
heating apparatuses

Institute of Advanced Energy
Kyoto University

Magnetic Confinement
Measuring, heating
Fusion (Helical)

Tsukuba University
Plasma Research Center

Mirror Method

Measuring, heating

Osaka University Institute ofLaser Engineering*

Inertial Confinement
FusionMeasuring, fuel pellet, laser, theory

Superconduction magnet, laser

Magnetic Confinement
Kyushu University Research
Fusion (Tokamak)
Measuring, heating
Institute for Applied Mechanics (superconduction)
National Reseach Institute formetalsOther Universities

Reactor materials,
superconduction magnet materials
Basic research

Source: Nuclear White Paper 1998

*Research in which Kansai Electric is participating

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Reduction(Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in electric power supply)

Reducing Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Other Than CO2
Kansai Electric strives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases other than CO2.

At COP3 in Kyoto in December 1997, reduction goals were
determined for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2),methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbon (HFC),
perfluorocarbon (PFC), and sixth fluoridation sulfur (SF6).
CO2 has more emissions than other greenhouse gases,
more than 90% of Japan’s total, and over 99% of Kansai
Electric’s total (see Figures 26 and 27). Apart from CO2, SF6 isrelevant to Kansai Electric as we use it in gas insulators.
■Emission rate of greenhouse gases in Japan(Fiscal 1997) (Figure 26)

Reduction

HFC 2.5%
N2O 1.5%
CH4 2.1%
CO2(non-energetic cause)
7.1%

PFC 1.2%
SF6 3.6%

CO2 (energetic cause)
82.0%

Note: Emission rate was calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent, using global warming
coefficient
Source: assembled from Environment Agency data

■Emission rate of greenhouse gases at Kansai
Electric (Fiscal 1999) (Figure 27)

Reducing emissions of SF6SF6 is widely used in electric apparatus, namely gas circuit
breakers and gas-insulated switchgears, because it is a highly
efficient insulation gas which helps to make the electric
apparatus lightweight and compact, and does not cause harm tohuman health. The SF6 gas insulator has been indispensable toelectric enterprises because, (1) the substation sites can be greatly
reduced, (2) it is harmonious with the environment as it does not
require a large site and (3) it enables construction of undergroundsubstations in urban areas.
SF6 gas, such as that used for electric insulators, isnormally used hermetically and there is almost no leakage while
the apparatus is in operation. However, SF6 gas is known to havebeen emitted during complete inspections of the insulating parts,
which are required every 12 years.
We will continue to use SF6 in the future since currently
there is no other alternative in terms of performance, handling, safety
and economy. However, we are endeavoring to control emissions
during use. We were able to recover 83% of the SF6 during
inspection in fiscal 1999,
but we will work to attain
90% in fiscal 2000 and
97% by fiscal 2005 (seeFigure 28).
SF6 gas recovery
equipment

SF6 0.7%■SF6 gas recovery rate during apparatus inspection(Figure 28)

Note: Emission rate was calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent, using global warming
coefficient.

(t)

97
18.0
13.7

15

13.5

80

83
10

70
60
50
0

60

60

60

60

95

5

10.9

5.0

96

97

98

99

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

(Fiscal year)

25

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

20

90

90

0

Emissions (bar graph)

CO2 99.3%

Gas recovery rate (line graph)

(%)

100

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Activities AbroadE
R A(Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

International R&D and projects aimed at preventing global warming

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(FCCC) is emphasizing international cooperation in the fieldsof technology, funding, and research into climatic change. At
the third session, COP3, in 1997 in Kyoto, members agreed to
introduce the mechanisms of the convention—Emissions
Trading, Joint Implementation, and the Clean Development
Mechanism—to complement the goals each of them set for
reduction of greenhouse gasses in their own countries. (Seepage 12)We believe that by applying the objectives of the Kyoto
Protocol, we can contribute to solving the social problem ofglobal warming while at the same time carrying out our businessin an environmentally-friendly manner.
It is to this end that we are developing our international
business with the aim of applying the Kyoto Mechanisms. We
are using our advanced technology built up over many years andour know-how gained through dedicated survey and research inorder to invest in and start business on a global scale.

Activities Abroad

Activities Abroad Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming
R&D on expanded use of natural absorption mechanism
Developing technology to restore tropical rain forests

Indonesia

Research into CO2 absorption and fixation through the use of coastal ecosystem

Australia, Thailand

Developing afforestation technology to restore the mangrove ecosystems

ThailandActivities aimed at applying the Kyoto Mechanisms and surveys into their feasibility for business
Attaining better thermal efficiency at existing fossil fuel power stations by improving station operation

Thailand

Project to bring power to outlying areas

Indonesia

Basic study on combined cycle generation at the Konakovo Power Station

RussiaBasic study on replacement of Symferopoloskaya Thermal Electric Power Station

UkraineDistrict Heating Plant in Tbilisi Improvement Study

Georgia

Rehabilitation plan for the Ambuklao Hydro Electric Plant

Philippines

Business feasibility study on CO2 fixation afforestation using carbonization

Malaysia

International business developments to contribute to the decrease of global warming
Hydroelectric wholesale power station project

Philippines

Investment fund to support energy conservation businesses among the countries of Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe

Domestic Efforts that Consider International Business
Development of technology for creating compound environmental measures such as
preventing global warming through the carbonization of things like trees

Japan

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

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Activities Abroad(Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

Research and Development to Expand Natural Resources
Increasing the scale of nature’s CO2 absorbing capacity, such as thetropical rainforests, is an important and cost-effective way toachieve reduction of greenhouse gases. That’s why, from early
1990s, we have been carrying out research and development ontechnology that can fully apply the principles of the Kyoto
Mechanisms such as the Joint Implementation, and the Clean
Development Mechanism projects.

Developing technology to restore the rainforests
through large-scale afforestation

Activities Abroad

Every year, 12.6 million hectares of tropical rainforest—an arearoughly one-third the size of Japan—disappear.
Although we tend to think that tropical rainforests canreplenish themselves quickly, this is unfortunately not the case.
Because the temperature in the tropics is high, organic matterdissolves quickly and is dispersed into the air as substances such as
CO2 and CH4 (methane). This means there is only a thin layer ofsoil with few nutrients. For example, the lauan only bears fruit once
every three to five years since doing so every year would drain its
nutrients and cause it to die. Accordingly, restoration of therainforests requires the help and guidance of people.
Against this background, Kansai Electric and Gadjah Mada
University in Indonesia have been carrying out international joint
research since 1992 under the Tropical Rainforest Restoration
Technology Development Project.
Under this project, researchers make use of the symbiotic
relationship between lauan and micrrhizal mushrooms in order toraise the number and growth rate of the seedlings. So far, they haveselected certain micrrhizal mushrooms beneficial to the growth oflauan saplings and developed a method of inoculating large
numbers of lauan saplings with these micrrhizal mushroom fungi.
As well, they have found that the fungi have been effective indoubling tree size growth and in increasing the number of trees by
five times.
In 1998, the experimental forest area was increased to 60
hectares, and in this forest researchers have been testing technology
for improved afforestation, developing afforestation support
technology such as agroforestry (a method of afforestation in which
the forest is managed while planting and harvesting agricultural
crops so as to eliminate the necessity of slash and burn farming),
and attempting to improve soil by confining CO2 using charcoal.
27

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

Four-month-old saplings (left) havebeen treated with fungi and grow at
twice the rate of untreated ones (right).

Afforestation field test (Sumatra,Indonesia)■Outline of joint project with Indonesia’s Gadjah
Mada University
Contents
Project name

Tropical Rainforest Restoration Technology Development Project

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai ElectricKansai Environmental Engineering Center Co., Ltd.

Cooperative body

Gadjah Mada University

Project content

Develop technology for reforestation of lauan, a native tree, in order torestore the tropical rainforests, which act to absorb CO2

Site

Java and Sumatra, Indonesia

Duration of the project

1992—2001■Symbiotic relationship between lauan andmicrrhizal mushrooms
Effect of micrrhizal mushrooms• Contribute to growth of thelauan seedlings and planted trees• Resistant to dryness• Not susceptible to disease• Not likely to wilt and die

Symbiotic relationship between
lauan and micrrhizal mushrooms
Phosphorous

Sugar
Root
cells

PotashMushroomspawn Water,
nutrients

Water,
nutrients

Nitrogen

Soil

Water

Various
germs

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Developing technology for planting mangroves indevastated lands for the sake of local improvement
Organic matter,
nutrients

Fish

Coral reef

Mangrove*

Algae* “Mangrove” is the general term for thickets of salt-resistant plants distributed throughout
tropical and subtropical regions in the brackish waters of coastal and estuarial intertidal
regions. In these swamps, leaves and twigs fall continuously from plants, then decay
and are consumed by plankton, which are in turn eaten by fish. Thus, a mangroveswamp plays an important role, forming the center of an entire food chain.

■Outline of project with the Australian Institute ofMarine Science
Contents
Project name

CO2 Absorption and Fixation Research Through the Use of Coastal Ecosystems

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai ElectricKansai Environmental Engineering Center Co., Ltd.

Cooperative bodyAustralian Institute of Marine Science

Project content

Because the coastal areas are highly effective in absorbing and fixing CO2,
propose measures to protect coastal ecosystems and promote effective CO2
absorption and fixation by developing mangrove forest restoration technology

Site
Duration of the project

Hinchinbrook, Australia; Chumpon, Thailand
1996—1999

Research results(t- CO2/ha/year)

The carbon fixation capacity of mangrove forests is equal
to or greater than that of tropical rainforests

50
Annual CO2 fixation amount

Activities Abroad

Mangrove is a general term for the tropical region vegetationthat exists in the coastal regions where sea water and fresh
water meet and mix. Mangrove forests provide an ideal habitat
for marine life, and also play an important role in providing
local residents with food and wood resources.
However, mangrove forests have been rapidly
disappearing in Southeast Asia due to expanded shrimp
cultivation and tin mining.
For four years from 1996 to 1999, the Kansai ElectricGroup and the Australian Institute of Marine Science carriedout joint research into CO2 absorption and fixation of mangrove
forests in Australia and Thailand. This research revealed thatmangrove forests are better at absorbing and fixing CO2 thantropical rainforests. As well, it was discovered that the areas
where sea and fresh water meet contain very little oxygen andthus things like falling leaves are not broken down but rather
accumulate as organic carbon. This means that these coastal
areas hold promise as storage areas for carbon.
The Kansai Electric Group will look to build on theseresults in the Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Reforestation
Technology Development Project, a joint effort with the Royal
Forest Department in Thailand starting in 2000.
The aim of this research is to restore the mangrove
forests, which have been devastated by industries like shrimp
cultivation, and develop reforestation technology that cansustain the mangrove forests and thus contribute to the local
improvement in a sustainable way.

Fertilizer,
agricultural chemicals,sand, soil

44.0
Underground section, soil

16.9

40

Above-ground section
30

25.3
10.6

20

27.1
20.2

14.7

10
0

Mangroves(Australia)

Mangroves(Thailand)

Tropical rainforest(• From Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines• Above-ground section only)

■Outline of project with Thailand Royal Forest
Department
Contents

Mangrove forest in Thailand

Project name

Tropical Rainforest Restoration Technology Development Project

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai ElectricKansai Environmental Engineering Center Co., Ltd.

Cooperative body

Royal Forest Department in Thailand

Project content

Development of technology to plant trees in a devastated mangrove
forest, which is a promising CO2 pool

Site

Samuth Songkram, Surattani, and other locations in Thailand

Duration of the project

2000–2004

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

28

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Activities Abroad(Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

Activities and Business Feasibility Studies for the Future Utilization of the Kyoto Mechanisms
Activities in the electric power field
The idea of Joint Implementation by several nations tocounteract greenhouse gas emissions was an important concept
emerging from the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Wanting to be involved in promoting AIJ (Activities
Implemented Jointly), Japan created a basic framework called■Outline of the project with the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
Contents■Outline of the project in Indonesia
Contents
Project name

Renewable Energy Supply Systems in Indonesia

Activities Abroad

Project namePower Plant Thermal Efficiency Improvement/Recovery
Through Enhanced Operational Management

Participating
Japanese companies

Kansai Electric, Tokyo Electric *Participating
Japanese companies

Kansai Electric, Electric Power Development, Chubu Electric

Cooperativebody

The Directorate General of Electricity and Energy Developmentof the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Indonesia (DGEED)

Cooperative body

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)

Project contents

Project contents

The four companies named above (“the parties”) have beenpromoting improvement of their power plants’ thermal efficiency,
and have developed various energy-saving techniques. Based on
this technical experience and expertise, the parties jointly andcooperatively implement the project to improve/recover the power
plant thermal efficiency.

To cooperate in ways contributing to sustainable energy supply
through renewable energy supply systems including theimplementation of solar home systems, microhydropower andhybrid system (photovoltaic and wind power) in rural areas inIndonesia.

Site

Rural areas in Indonesia

Duration of the project

1996-2000 (including monitoring)

Expected effectCO2 emission reduction: 1,200 t- CO2/year

Site

South Bangkok Power Station

Duration of the project

1996-2000 (including monitoring)

Expected effectCO2 emission reduction: 14,000 t- CO2/year

South Bangkok Power Station

29

the AIJ Japan Program. As part of our efforts to promoteinternational cooperation, Kansai Electric is involved in two ofthese projects: Power Plant Thermal Efficiency
Improvement/Recovery Through Enhanced Operational
Management in Thailand, and Renewable Energy Supply
Systems in Indonesia.

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business* This project will be implemented in the name of “E7.”“E7” is a group consisting of some of the world’s major producers and distributors ofelectricity (See page 31).

Solar home system

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In order to develop new projects in compliance with the Kyoto Mechanism,
Kansai Electric implemented the Basic Survey Project for Joint
Implementation, under a publicly recruited project organized by NEDO (theNew Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), toreplace the generation system at Konakovo Thermal Power Station in
Russia in fiscal 1998, and at Symferopoloskaya Thermal Power Station in
the Ukraine in fiscal 1999.

Under this scheme, it was decided in fiscal 2000 to participate in
the Feasibility Study on Renovation and Rehabilitation of District Heat
Supply System in Tbilisi, Georgia. Furthermore, it was also decided to
conduct Ambuklao Hydro Electric Plant Rehabilitation Project in thePhilippines under a publicly recruited project called the Study for
Environment and Plant Revival Projects, organized by JETRO (the Japan
External Trade Organization).
■Outline of the business feasibility study with Russia (Fiscal 1998)
Contents

Konakovo Thermal Power Station (Moscow)

Project name

Konakovo Thermal Power Station Upgrading Project

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai Electric, Mitsubishi Corp.

Cooperative body

United Power System of Russia

Project contents

The project would improve the total plant thermal efficiency of Konakovo
Thermal Power Station by introducing a modern gas turbine combined cycle
power plant which would substantially reduce the plant’s CO2 gas emissions.

Site

Konakovo Thermal Power Station (suburb of Moscow)
CO2 emission reduction: 2.3 million t-CO2 / year

Expected effect■Outline of the business feasibility study with Ukraine (Fiscal 1999)

Activities AbroadContents
Project name

Basic Study on Replacement of Symferopoloskaya Thermal Power Station

Implementing corporation

Kansai Electric, Sumitomo Shoji

Cooperative body

Krymenergo
The project would improve the total plant thermal efficiency of Symferopoloskaya
Thermal Power Station by introducing a modern gas turbine combined cycle
power plant which would substantially reduce the plant’s CO2 gas emissions.

Project contents

Symferopoloskaya Thermal Power Station (Crimea)

Site
Expected effectSymferopoloskaya Thermal Power Station (Crimea)
CO2 emission reduction: 0.7 million t-CO2/year■Outline of the business feasibility study with Georgia (Fiscal 2000)
Contents
Project nameRenovation and Rehabilitation of District Heat Supply

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai Electric, Shimizu Corp.

Cooperative body
Project contents

Ministry of Fuel and Energy, Tbilisi

Site

District Heating Plants in Tbilisi

To improve regional heating plant through restoration of existing hot
water boilers and construction of new gas turbines for power plants.

District Heating Plant in Tbilisi, Georgia■Outline of business feasibility study with the Philippines (Fiscal 2000)
Contents
Project nameAmbuklao Hydro Electric Plant Rehabilitation Plan

Participating Japanesecompanies

Kansai Electric

Cooperative body
Project contents

Philippine National Power Company (NPC)

Site
Expected effectAmbuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant (Benguet Province, Luzon Island)
CO2 reductions: 0.3 million t-CO2/year

In addition to using Japan’s experience and technology in repairing
stalled hydroelectric power facilities, plan and carry out measures toquickly get the facilities back up and running. Diagnose the facilities
and repair and replace intake mechanisms and deteriorated
machinery

Ambuklao Hydro Electric Plant (Benguet Province, Luzon Island)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

30

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Activities Abroad(Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

Afforestation Efforts■Outline of business feasibility study in Malaysia

In 1999, Kansai Electric embarked on its business feasibility study on
CO2 fixation afforestation that makes possible sustainable
manufacturing using carbonization in Malaysia as part of theEnvironment Agency’s Business Feasibility Study of Clean
Development Mechanism to Prevent Global Warming.
By making afforested tree into charcoal, which is semipermanently deactivated the CO2, and by using charcoal as medium toimprove the soil and to purify water, we can make lumber industry
being more sustainable. The Kansai Electric Group have determinedthat this research can be put to practical business use and have therefore
decided to start a more detailed survey in fiscal 2000 (see Figure 29).

Contents
Project nameBusiness feasibility study on CO2 fixation afforestation thatmakes possible sustainable manufacturing using carbonization

Participating
Japanese companies

Kansai Environmental Engineering Center Co., Ltd.

Cooperative body

Ta-Ann Group, Malaysia

Project contents

Feasibility study of afforestation business, which makes possible asustainable lumber industry and CO2 fixation by making afforested tree
into charcoal, which is semi-permanently deactivated the CO2, and byusing charcoal as medium to improve the soil and to purify water.

Site

Sarawak Province, Malaysia

Duration of the project

1999–2000■Conceptual illustration of CO2 fixation afforestation business that makes possible sustainable manufacturing
using carbonization (Figure 29)

Activities Abroad

Early-maturing afforestation

Deciding on sectioning and afforestation cycle

Fireproof bananas

Oil palms, cocoa palms, gum trees, paddies
Early-maturing saplings(eucalyptus, acacia, etc.)

Agricultural waste, etc.

Early-sprouting,early-maturing afforestation

Charcoal ditch

Harvesting and use ofearly-maturing trees

Charcoal ditch

Soil improvement,
fertility improvement

Return to afforestation area

Fine coal

Powdered charcoal

Energy conserving
carbonization system

Farming, agroforestry

Charcoal compost

Fine coal
Stock breeding
waste

Unused lumber resources

Tree waste such as
bark and branches

Harvester

Stock breeding
Briquettes
Fine coal

Charcoal briquettes
Raising mangroves

Purifying the environment formarine product cultivation

Fuel

Fisheries, marine
Charcoal briquettes
Logs

Pulp and paper

Making into chips

Waste water
Waste water
Processing facilities

Cities, residential areas
Purified water

Cut lumber

Cutting into lumber

Near and Middle East
Exporting charcoal and water

Used in dry region farming

Explanation
A

Afforestation of acacia and other early-maturing trees•Decide on the sectioning of afforestation areas in devastated regions and on
the afforestation cycle•Each year, plant early-maturing saplings in one section•Place charcoal in the sapling holes at the time of planting to improve the soil
•After planting is completed, harvest the first section and make the trees into
pulp and lumber. Plant a new batch of saplings in that section.
•Repeat this cycle to create a sustainable early-maturing afforestation
process.

31

B Using waste such as unused wood and bark
•Unused parts of trees such as bark and wood waste generated during theprocesses A and C, as well as agricultural waste products that are currently
disposed of by burning, are carbonized and used in the following ways:①As soil improvement in afforestation and farming areas (CO2 fixation)②As fuel③In waste water processing facilities

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

C Using lumber•Harvested early-maturing trees are cut down and processed into pulp andpaper or processed lumber

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Developing International Business that Contributes to the Decrease of Global Warming■Outline of the project in the Philippines
Contents
San Roque Multipurpose Project (115MW × 3 units)

Project name
Implementing corporation

San Roque Power Corporation *Project contentsConstruct a hydropower plant, and hand over the ownership of the plant to thePhilippines National Power Plant after 25 years of operation.

Site

Agno River (northern part of Luzon Island, Philippines)

Expected effectCO2 emission reduction: 0.7 million t-CO2/year* Kansai Electric will begin by establishing wholly owned company KandenInternational Co., Ltd., then establish subsidiary KPIC Singapore Ltd. in Singapore.
KPIC Singapore will invest in San Roque Power Co., Ltd.

Activities Abroad

Kansai Electric decided in April 1998 to participate in planning ahydropower generation project in the Philippines. This is the first time
for a Japanese utility to invest and participate in an electric power
generation project abroad. This project is called the San RoqueMultipurpose Project, supposed to be one of the biggest hydropower
generation projects in the Philippines, and we are jointly investing andparticipating in the project with Marubeni Corp. and Sithe Energies,
Inc. We consider it a significant step to participate in hydropower
development abroad, a renewable energy, from the viewpoint ofpreventing global warming.
Furthermore, in January 2000, our company made the decision
to participate in the “Dexia-Fond Elec Energy Efficiency andEmissions Reduction Fund, L.P.,” an environmental fund put together
by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development(investment: 10 million euros). The purpose of this fund is to invest inenergy businesses involved in such areas as electricity, heat supply, andgas in the 26 Eastern European countries which are candidates for loans
from the European Reconstruction and Development Bank, thereby
containing the emission of greenhouse gases at the same time asincreasing revenues through improved efficiency, while aiming for the
eventual acquisition of emission reduction credits of greenhouse gases.

Construction site for San Roque Project■Outline of the investment fund in Eastern Europe
Contents
Name

Dexia-FondElec Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Fund, L.P.

Investor

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (project planner),
Kansai Electric, Dexint, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Investment Manager

FondElec (Connecticut, USA)

Description of BusinessTo invest in energy businesses involved in electricity, heat supply, andgas in Eastern European countries, thereby containing the emission ofgreenhouse gases while at the same time increasing revenues throughimprovement of efficiency, eventually aiming for the acquisition ofemission reduction credits of greenhouse gases.

Size of fundEstablished at 60 million euros.
Additional fundraising to a maximum of 150 million euros

Duration

2000-2009 (extended a maximum of two years)

Anticipated Effects

Amount of CO2 reduction: 0.9 million t-CO2/year

Board ofDirectors

Limited Partners
Kansai Electric, et al.

Investment
Committee

Investment

Investment
Manager(FondElec)
Investment
Proposals

Investment

Fund

Individual Projects
Scheme for the Investment Fund for Energy-Conserving Businesses in Eastern Europe

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

32

E
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Activities Abroad(Activities carried out abroad to prevent global warming)

Domestic Efforts that Consider International BusinessIn August 2000, the Kansai Electric Group sent researchers to
the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth(RITE), which is conducting Development of Technology for
Creating Compound Environment Measures such as Preventing
Global Warming Through the Carbonization of Things like
Trees under the framework on guidance research related toenvironmental industry technology, which is run by the New
Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization(NEDO). Among the responsibilities of our members are
selecting carbon fixing plants and developing effective charcoal
compost manufacturing methods.

■Outline of project to create anti-warming measuresthrough carbonization of things like trees
Contents
Project name

Development of Technology for Creating Compound Environmental Measures suchas Preventing Global Warming Through the Carbonization of Things like Trees

Implementing organization

Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE)

Participatingcompanies, etc.

Kansai Environmental Engineering Center Co., Ltd.
Wood Research Institute, Kyoto University
Ebara Corporation

Project content

In order to gather, fix, and deactivate large amounts of CO2, confine
carbon long-term by carbonizing the carbon fixed within plants, anddevelop effective uses for charcoal such as purifying water and improvingsoil. In addition to this long-term deactivation of CO2, carry out basic
research that will be useful in creating measures for things like preventing
pollution and protecting the environment

Duration of the project

2000–2004 (planned)

Activities Abroad

International Group Activities Aimed at Sustainable Development
To solve the problem of global warming, industries must reach beyond the bordersof their own countries and cooperate on a worldwide scale. Kansai Electric has
been a member of groups such as the E7 (a conference of major electric utilities
companies in the G7 countries) and the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development (WBCSD) since foundation, working in earnest making proposals

for environmental problems and offering developing countries advanced support
related to environmental technology. We announce the fruits of such activities in
the form of opinions and suggestions from the private sector at conferences such as
the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (FCCC).

■E7 (a conference of major electric utilities
companies in the G7 countries)■World Business Council for Sustainable
Development (WBCSD)

Established1992

Established1995

PurposeTo play an aggressive role in dealing with worldwide energy
problems and to promote sustainable development

Establishment
history, purpose

Contents ofactivities• Draw up proposals for the energy industry with the aim of
ensuring sustainable development and preventing global
warming• Provide technological support to developing countries (e.g.
providing solar powered electricity to outlying areas in Indonesia,
providing environmental technology to countries like Thailandand Laos, etc.)

The World Industry Council for Environment (WICE;
established in 1993) and the Business Council for Sustainable
Development (BSCD; established in 1990) merged in 1995 toform the WBCSD, which takes the lead in advocating measures
to deal with matters related to the environment and sustainable
development

Contents ofactivities

The group takes up various themes related to sustainable
development, such as climate and energy, eco-efficiency, andtrust in society, exchanging information, holding seminars, andpublishing reports

Members

About 130 companies and organizations,
including Kansai Electric, from more than 30 countries

Members

33

Kansai Electric Power (Japan), Edison International (US), EdF(France), ENEL (Italy), Hydro Quebec (Canada), Ontario Power
Generation (Canada), RWE-EAG (Germany), Tokyo ElectricPower (Japan)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our BusinessProtecting the Ozone Layer
Kansai Electric works to protect the earth from ultraviolet rays.

In the past, fire-extinguishing equipment at power
stations (fossil fuel and nuclear) were designed to use halongas. However, fire-extinguishing equipment at new facilities
now uses CO2 or powder extinguishing material instead of
halon gas. Existing extinguishers will be replaced by thoseusing halon substitutes as soon as regulations allowing their use
are approved, as they are only used in fire emergencies.
■Consumption of CFCs (Figure 30)
(t)
14.9

15

Amount consumed

CFCs and halon gas destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere,causing an increased amount of ultraviolet rays to reach theearth’s surface. Since ultraviolet rays are harmful to humans
and animals, the destruction of the ozone layer has asignificantly negative impact on ecological systems. For thisreason, production limits on these materials are being set underinternational control.
Although not regulated directly, Kansai Electric istaking every possible measure to abolish the use of specified
CFCs with the aim of aggressively promoting the Japanese
government’s measures to protect the ozone layer.
CFCs have mainly been used as air conditioning
coolants. However, all new air conditioners installed after 1996
have been using CFC substitutes. Existing air conditioners arebeing replaced as necessary with new models using CFC
substitutes. During inspection of air conditioners, recovery
equipment is being used to keep CFCs from escaping into theair (see Figure 30).

11.3

10

10.2
8.7
8.1
7.4
6.4

5

0

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

1.0

0.2 0.5

0.3

96

97

99

98

(Fiscal year)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business34

2Working to Protect the Environment
Environmental Assessment for Power Station Construction

Since 1973, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry(MITI) has required that an environmental impact assessment
be conducted when a power station is constructed. In
accordance with the ministerial council’s 1977 document
entitled “Strengthening of Environmental Impact Reviews inPower Plant Siting,” we have carried out 16 environmental
assessments to date in order to contribute to environmental
protection.
In 1997, the new Environmental Impact Assessment
Law was passed, and revisions of the Electric Utilities Industry
Law were implemented in June 1999. Under the Environmental
Impact Assessment Law, before implementing large-scale
development projects, corporations conduct their own
environmental impact assessment to determine the proceduresfor implementing environmental assessment with consideration
to environmental preservation. Specific procedures for power
stations have been determined additionally under the Electric
Utilities Industry Law.
Under the new system, environmental consideration isrequired from the early stages of the project, and procedures tojudge whether assessment is necessary or not and determine
contents and method of the assessment have been added. For
the construction of power stations, the result of the assessment
becomes the requirement for the approval of the construction
plan (see Figure 31).
Based on this new environmental assessment system,
Kansai Electric will endeavor to construct and operate power
plants with consideration to the environment.

■Power station assessment system in accordancewith the law (Figure 31)
Power station assessment(Environmental Impact Assessment Law/Electric Utilities Industry Law)
(Screening)
Establishment ofobjective undertaking

Opinions

Decision by MITI

(Scoping)

Deciding items /methods for assessment

Public announcement /general inspection

Opinions

MITI
inspection / recommendation

Opinions

Residents

Prefectural governor

Implementing the environmental
impact assessment
Making the environmental
impact assessment specifications
Public announcement / generalinspection, explanatory meeting

Opinions

MITI inspection /recommendation

Opinions

Making the report ofenvironmental
impact assessment

Opinions

Environmental consideration
through assessment report
Application and notification of
approval for construction plan(note)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

Prefectural governor

Making the environmental
impact assessment method report

Public announcement /general inspection

35

Judging individually whether or not anassessment procedure is necessary for
power stations within the scope
determined by the government
ordinances (implementing theenvironmental impact assessment by asimple method)

Residents

Prefectural governor

The Director
General of theEnvironment Agency
The Minister ofAn order to International Tradechange may and Industry
be issued

Effect on construction plan

Approval

MITI
In case oforder to change

Procedures which have been added in accordance with the enactment oramendment of a law.
Clauses complying with assessment report have been added to approvalconditions for construction plans.

Environmental Protection Measures
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agreement,
thorough care is taken at fossil fuel power stations in
implementing countermeasures against air pollution, waterpollution, noise and vibration, and also in supervising andobserving whether or not these measures are actually effective(see Figure 32).

Environmental protection measures

Air pollution
prevention measures

Water pollution
prevention measures

Sulfur oxide
reduction measures

In-plant waste
water treatment

Nitrogen oxide
reduction measures

Thermal discharge
impact reduction

Particulate reduction
measuresOil spill prevention

Noise / vibration
control measures■Environmental protection system in a fossil fuel power station (Figure 32)

Removal of sulfur oxides
Removal of sootFlue gas
desulfurization
facility

Reduction of noise

Flue gas
denitrification
facility
Electrostatic
precipitator

Prevention of oil spills

Afforestation

Removal of nitrogen oxides
SteamturbineGenerator
BoilerLoading arm
Heavy
oil/crude
oil tank

Switchgear

Oil fence
Condenser
Integrated water
treatment facility

Maintransformer

Green zone←

Intake of sea water from low depths←

Discharge into water

Reducing the impact ofthermal discharge

Reducing the impact ofthermal discharge
Purification of effluent water

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business36

a. Measures to prevent air pollution
Measures to prevent air pollution

SOx reduction

NOx reduction

Fuel with low
sulfur content

Improvement of
combustion method･ Fuel with low sulfur
content･ Two-stage
combustion method･ LNG, NGL･ Exhaust gas
recirculation method

Flue gas
desulfurization
facility

Particulate
reduction
Electrostatic
precipitators･ Low-NOx burners

Fuel with low
nitrogen content
Flue gas
denitrification
facility

Reducing sulfur oxides (SOx)
To reduce SOx emissions, Kansai Electric has promoted thefollowing methods:* Use of heavy/crude oils with low sulfur content* Use of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and NGL (natural gas
liquids)
We have also adopted flue gas desulfurization facilities toremove SOx from flue gas, thus reducing SOx emissions withboth fuel- and facility-related measures.

Use of heavy / crude oil with a low sulfur content
SOx is generated when fuel is combusted and the sulfur content
comes into contact with oxygen. Therefore, reducing the sulfur
content in fuel leads to SOx reduction. For this reason, Kansai
Electric uses heavy oil or crude oil low in sulfur content, which
is an important anti-sulfur oxide measure.

Use of LNG (liquefied natural gas) andNGL (natural gas liquids)
Kansai Electric uses clean LNG and NGL, which arecompletely sulfur-free. LNG consumption in fiscal 1999 totaled
approximately 5.49 million tons, accounting for 72% of thetotal fossil fuel power generation.

37

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our BusinessInstallation of flue gas desulfurization facilities
Kansai Electric has conducted extensive research anddevelopment on flue gas desulfurization facilities to reduce
SOx emissions.
As of the end of fiscal 1999, we have installed a total of
10 flue gas desulfurization facilities at power stations with a
total generating capacity of 3,330 MW. Together with the useof low sulfur content fuel, these facilities are contributing
greatly to the reduction of SOx emissions (see Figure 33).
■Installation of flue gas desulfurization facilities

The rate of SOx emissions per unit of fossil fuel power
generation achieved by Japanese power companies is
considerably lower than that of major Western countries (USA,Germany, UK, France, Canada and Italy). The Japanese
average is 0.24g/kWh as opposed to their combined average of
4.4g/kWh. Kansai Electric’s level is even lower than theJapanese average (see Figure 35).
■SOx emissions per kWh from fossil fuel power
generation (Figure 35)(g/kWh)10(Figure 33)

8.3
8Facility capacity (MW) (accumulated)

3,500
6

3,000

5.5
4.6

2,500

4

4.2

2,000

2.3
2

1,500
1,000

0

500
0

4.4
3.8

63 65

70

75

80

85

90

95

99

(Fiscal year)

0.24
France
1996

U.K.
1996

U.S.
1997

Italy
1995

Canada Germany Average Japan
1996
1997 for the six 1998
countries

0.08
KansaiElectric
1998

Source for foreign countries: OECD Environmental Data Compendium/1999,
Energy Balances of OECD Countries 1996-1997
Sources for Japan: survey by the Federation of Electric Power Companies

Development of flue gas desulfurization facilities
R&D of test plants
R&D for scaling-up
Installation of flue gas wet desulfurization facilities

Reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx)By implementing the above measures, the annual SOx
emissions in fiscal 1999 have been reduced to approximately
1.9% compared to fiscal 1965, despite the increase of fossil fuelpower generation (see Figure 34).
■SOx emissions and fossil fuel power generation(Figure 34)

Improving the combustion system(t)(millions of kWh)

80,000Fossil fuelpower generation

60,000200,000
40,000100,000
20,000SOx emissions

50,000
65

70

75

80

85

90

95

99

0

(Fiscal year)

Fossil fuel power generation

SOx emissions

300,000

0

NOx is generated when nitrogen in fuel and in the air reactchemically with oxygen in the air. It is said that the higher the
combustion temperature becomes, the more NOx is generated.
To reduce NOx emissions, our fossil fuel power stations are
implementing the following measures.

To reduce NOx emissions through the improvement of theboiler combustion system, three methods are available - thetwo-stage combustion method, the exhaust gas recirculation
combustion method, and the use of low-NOx burners.
Kansai Electric has made improvements on boilers toenable them to simultaneously use both the two-stage
combustion method and the exhaust gas recirculation
combustion method. For an even greater reduction in NOx
emissions, we have also installed low-NOx burners, which havebeen developed based on the principles of these methods.

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business38

Use of fuels with low nitrogen content
As of the end of fiscal 1999, Kansai Electric has converted theboilers at 14 out of 17 existing fossil fuel power stations to use LNG
or high quality oils such as NGL, which contain little nitrogen.

Installation of flue gas denitrification facilities
Kansai Electric has focused much effort on the research anddevelopment of flue gas denitrification facilities to reduce NOx
emissions and on their introduction to plants.
As of the end of fiscal 1999, we have 46 denitrification
facilities with a total capacity of 15,380 MW (see Figure 36).

In addition, average NOx emissions per unit of fossil
fuel power generation in Japan is 0.31g/kWh, a figure
considerably lower than the 2.0g/kWh combined average of theUSA, Germany, the UK, France, Canada and Italy. Kansai
Electric’s level is even lower than that of the Japanese average(see Figure 38).
■NOx emissions per kWh from fossil fuel power
generation (Figure 38)(g/kWh)

3.0

3.0

2.5
2.2

■Installation of flue gas denitrification facilities(Figure 36)

Facility capacity (MW) (accumulated)

1.9

2.0

1.9

2.0

1.8

1.5

16,0001.0

14,0000.5

12,0000

10,0000.9

0.31
France
1996

U.S.
1997

Canada
1996

U.K.
1996

Italy
1995

8,000

Germany Average Japan
1997 for the six 1998
countries

0.15
KansaiElectric
1998

Source for foreign countries: OECD Environmental Data Compendium/1999,
Energy Balances of OECD Countries 1996-1997
Sources for Japan: survey by the Federation of Electric Power Companies

6,000
4,000
2,000
0

68

70

75

80

85

90

95

99

(Fiscal year)

Development of flue gas denitrification facilities

Reducing particulates

R&D of pilot plants
R&D of large-scale testing equipment
Installation of flue gas denitrification facilities

All boilers for crude and heavy oil are equipped with highefficiency electrostatic precipitators in order to achieve thelowest possible level of particulates.

By implementing the above measures, the annual NOx
emissions in fiscal 1999 have been reduced to approximately
22% compared to fiscal 1974, despite the increase of fossil fuelpower generation (see Figure 37).
■NOx emissions and fossil fuel power generation(Figure 37)(t)(millions of kWh)

80,000Fossil fuelpower generation

NOx emissions

30,00060,00020,00040,00010,00020,000NOx emissions

0

74 75

80

85

90

95

99
(Fiscal year)

39

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business0

Fossil fuel power generation

40,000Electrostatic precipitator (Kainan Power Station)

b. Measures to prevent water pollution
Measures to prevent water pollution

In-plant waste
water treatment
Integrated waste water
treatment facility

Neutralization andaggregation /precipitation equipment

Oil separation andfiltration /absorption equipment

Thermal discharge
impact reduction

Oil spill
prevention

Intake ofdeep-sea water

Loading arms

Submarinedischarging

Oil fences

Porous dikes

Oil absorbers

Toilet / kitchen waste
water treatment
equipment

In-plant waste water treatment

Thermal discharge impact reduction

In-plant waste water produced from operations at fossil fuelpower stations contains small amounts of acid, alkali,
suspended solids, oil and other substances. Machine cleaning
during annual boiler and turbine overhaul inspections also
produces waste water. All the waste water is specifically treatedbased on its respective condition by using neutralization andaggregation/precipitation equipment and oil separationequipment for purification. It is then purified using filtering andadsorption treatment facilities.
Even toilet/kitchen waste water from employee
facilities is purified using specifically designed treatment
facilities before being discharged.

At fossil fuel and nuclear power stations, turbine generators are
driven by high-pressure, high-temperature steam which iscooled by seawater in a condenser in order to return it to aliquid state. The temperature rise (thermal discharge) of theseawater is kept at 7°C or less.
In order not to affect sea life, deep-sea intake andsubmarine discharge is used, and their locations are carefully
selected by the characteristics of each station’s location in orderto minimize the area in which heated water is dispersed.

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business40

Oil spill prevention
Oil brought in by tankers is unloaded at docking facilities on
power station sites. To avoid oil spills, we use a loading arm,
which directly and firmly connects an intake valve on the pierwith an outlet valve on the tanker.
During the unloading of oil, absorbers are kept on hand,and an oil fence is in place to prevent oil from spreading in therare case that a spill occurs.
When the loading arm is in operation, the area is underintense surveillance by trained staff. Oil retaining dikes are also
installed around fuel tanks to prevent any spilled oil fromspreading.

c. Measures to prevent noiseand vibration

Measures to prevent noise and vibration
Low-noise design
Appropriate foundation design
Indoor installation

Appropriate equipment location

Noise prevention
Oil fence at unloading dock

In power stations and substations, various devices such as draft
fans, transformers, turbine generators, and pumps are usually inoperation. To prevent noise, we generally place these facilities
inside buildings. When they must be built outdoors, thesefacilities are specially equipped with silencers and soundproof
walls to minimize noise and are located in isolated places inorder not to disturb residential areas.

Vibration prevention
Facilities that may cause vibrations at power stations andsubstations are installed on a solid strong base. They are also
located as far as possible from the station's outer boundaries inorder to minimize vibration levels outside the power stations.

41

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our BusinessMeasures to Deal with Chemical Mattersa. Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)
The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register is a system whichstates that a company must notify the government of the amountof potentially poisonous chemical matter it emits into theenvironment and the amount of waste material that it transfers.
The government will then make this information public. The
purpose of the system is to improve the independent
management of chemical matters by companies, decrease theamount of emissions, and control the amount of waste.
Companies in Europe and North America, where PRTR
is now law, have already introduced the system. The PRTR
system was enacted as the Bill Concerning Reporting, etc. of

Release to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substancesand Promoting of the Improvements in Their Management(Japan’s PRTR Law) in July 1999 in Japan, and in March 2000,
the government instituted a list of the chemical matters and thetypes and scale of businesses to which the law would apply.
Since April 2000, companies have been obligated to reportemissions data based on the law.
Even before this, Kansai Electric has been
independently monitoring emission of chemical matters into theenvironment and we have determined that emission amounts
are extremely small (see Table 3).

■Kansai Electric’s data related to the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (fiscal 1999) (Table 3)
Chemicals

UseAmount handled(t/year)Amount emitted(t/year)

Where emitted

Amount transferred as waste(t/year)2-aminoethanol

Water supply processing agent

25.9

0

―

0

ToluenePower generation fuel(contained in naphtha and NGL)

361.2

0

―

0

BenzenePower generation fuel(contained in naphtha)

36.5

0

―

0

XylenePower generation fuel(contained in NGL)

429.5

0

―

0

Hydrazine

Water supply processing agent

97.1

0

―

0

Reactor reaction control rod material

7.8

0

―

0

HCFC-22

Coolant

3.3

3.3

Into the atmosphere

0

HCFC-225

Cleaner

10.3

10.3

Into the atmosphere0Asbestos

Heat insulating material

23.8

0

―

23.8

Boron and boron compounds

b. Dioxins
Dioxins have conventionally been dealt with throughrestrictions on incinerators (incinerating capacity: 200 kg/h andabove) as stipulated in the Waste Management Law and Air
Pollution Control Law. But with increasing concerns about
environmental pollution and the affects on people’s health, the
Law Concerning Special Measures Against Dioxins, dealing
with small waste incinerators (incinerating capacity: 50–200kg/h) not previously covered by law, was established in July
1999 and went into effect in January 2000.
In addition to abiding by laws related to incineration,
Kansai Electric is striving to control the amount of wastematerial incinerated by decreasing the amounts we incinerate or
recycling it instead.

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

42

Exchanges with the Community Through Environmental Preservation Measures
Kansai Electric contributes to the local community through environmental
preservation measures.

a. Green zoning measures
Kansai Electric aims to grow forests at our business locations which
are as close to nature as possible and which are highly beneficial inpreserving the local environment. To do this as quickly as possible, weare creating and managing green zones based on an ecological systemthat enables forests to grow quickly by laying good quality soil andgrow dense and mixed vegetation using saplings of natural trees toadapt to the local environment.
As a result, the green zones at many of our power stations,
including the Himeji No. 2 Power Station (fossil fuel), are inhabited bybirds, insects and small animals.
While emphasizing ecological green zoning as a fundamental
principle, we also make efforts to provide an aesthetically pleasing
environment for local residents by planting the official trees andflowers of the cities where our power stations are located.
These efforts have been highly appreciated, and in June 1992,
the Himeji No. 2 Power Station (see photo above right) received thePrime Minister's Award and in September 1995, the Kainan Power
Station (fossil fuel) received the Ministry of International Trade andIndustry Award for excellent green zoning activities.
In the green zones of our power stations, we are creating anatural environment that local residents can enjoy complete with
insects such as dragonflies and fireflies (see Table 4, photos centerright and below right).
As of the end of fiscal 1999, green zone areas totaled 409
hectares. With the addition of the natural forests around ourhydropower stations, the total green zone area is 7,851 hectares.

Green zone at the Himeji No. 2 Power Station

Pond habitats for dragonflies at the Osaka Power Station■Locations of pond habitats for dragonflies andstream habitats for fireflies (Table 4)
Power Stations, etc.
Pond habitats for dragonflies

Stream habitats for fireflies

43

Sakaiko Power Station (Fossil fuel)Osaka Power Station (Fossil fuel)Amagasaki No. 3 Power Station (Fossil fuel)Himeji No. 1 Power Station (Fossil fuel)Takasago Power Station (Fossil fuel)Himeji LNG Terminal
Takahama Power Station (Nuclear)
Ohi Power Station (Nuclear)
Himeji No.1 Power Station (Fossil fuel)Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our BusinessStream habitats for fireflies at the
Himeji No.1 Power Station

Genji fireflies which have grown larger
at the Himeji No.1 Power Station

b. Electric power facilities inharmony with the environment
When we plan to build and maintain an electric power facility,
we take municipal and regional development plans into
consideration. We thoroughly examine the surrounding area
and choose an appropriate facility design that blends in with thelandscape and is harmonious with the local environment.
By thoroughly understanding the importance of
blending in with the local environment, it is our top
management priority to achieve mutual understanding and aharmonious coexistence with the regions where we operate.

Prefecture, was modeled after a house in the gassho-zukuri
style, with a steep roof and prominent top beam. Kamitaira islocated near a village noted for its many gassho-zukuri houses
which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
power station blends well with the beautiful surroundings (seephoto below).

Power stations representing local areas
Before constructing a power station, we thoroughly investigate
the condition of the surrounding area and receive advice fromexperts in many fields in order to make facilities into symbolic
images of the region and in harmony with the local
environment.
When constructing Nanko Power Station (fossil fuel) in
Suminoe-ku, Osaka, for example, which began operation in
1991, we placed great emphasis on a design compatible withthe urban surroundings. In particular, the stack was designed to
be a local landmark shaped like a monument. At night it isilluminated by solar power, with the colors changing fromseason to season. Well-integrated into its environment, Nanko
Power Station received the Color Prize for Public Utilities fromthe Japan Color Laboratory and an International Illumination
Design Award (Lighting Section Award) from the North
American Illumination Institute. It was also selected as a Good
Design Institution (normally called G Mark) by the Ministry ofInternational Trade and Industry (see photo above right).
The stacks of Himeji No. 1 Power Station Units No. 5
and No. 6, which commenced operation in April 1995 and May
1996 respectively, are also illuminated at night. Changing
lighting effects and a flashing strobe light create a seasonal
atmosphere, and even provide information on the tide position,
air temperature, and time of day. These stacks are enjoyed as asymbol of the waterfront area and received the Urban SpectacleAward from Himeji City (see photo center right).
The Sakaigawa Power Station (hydro) which
commenced operation in 1993, located in Kamitaira in Toyama

Nanko Power Station

Himeji No. 1 Power Station

Sakaigawa Power Station

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business

44

Substation designs in harmony withsurrounding city buildings
At substations, radiators and other equipment are hidden fromview and trees are planted to enhance the landscape. The designand color of the buildings are also coordinated with surroundings.
For example, the Hoshida Substation (Katano City,
Osaka), which is in a residential area, has been designed as a lowbuilding with the external appearance of a residential house inorder to blend in with the local environment .
Hoshida Substation

Power distribution methods toupgrade local amenities

45

We intend to contribute to the overall upgrading of amenities in theareas where our distribution facilities are located by designing them tomatch the shapes and colors of city buildings and their surroundings.
With this in mind, while assuring a stable power supply, weplan to improve both the quality and look of power distribution
facilities by using an effective power distribution method that
conforms to the way electricity is used and by choosing designs that
conform to city planning concepts. We determine the shape ofbuildings and their color schemes by considering the size of theroadside buildings and various city design regulations.

One method of improving scenery in a city is burying power
distribution lines underground. We use an underground power
distribution system in areas already developed with no plan for future
development and which have a stable, high demand for electricity(see photo below left).
In cases where maintaining scenic beauty has top priority, forexample around national treasures, UNESCO world heritage sites, orareas such as historic boulevards, we promote utilization of undergroundpower lines as long as the technical requirements can be met.
In many cases even the steel towers that support transmission
lines have been designed so that their shape and color blend in with thesurroundings (see photo below).

The area around Osaka International Conference Center (underground power lines)

The electric transmission tower of the
Himeji Power Station (fossil fuel)Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Businessc. Efficient utilization of thermal
discharge
Using thermal discharge from fossil fuel and nuclear power
stations, the company has been cultivating fish and youngshellfish with regional characteristics and conducting research on
their growth. By releasing cultivated fish and shellfish into theocean, we help promote local fishery industries.
We are cultivating abalone and top shell and conducting
research on their growth at Takahama Power Station (nuclear),shrimp at Tanagawa No. 2 Power Station (fossil fuel), and shrimp
and abalone at Miyazu Energy Research Laboratory (fossil fuel).
We are also carrying out agricultural cultivation researchusing thermal discharge. We have been growing orchids in agreenhouse at Takahama Power Station using a heat pump withheated water as the heat source. Miyazu Energy ResearchLaboratory has been conducting test operations of greenhousecultivation which uses thermal discharge as a heat source anddifferent heat-exchange methods.

A prawn raised in a tank (Tanagawa No. 2 Power Station)

Orchids in a greenhouse (Takahama Power Station)

Greenhouse cultivation application tests (Miyazu Energy Research Laboratory)

Section 2 Consideration for the Environment in All Areas of Our Business46

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society
1Business Activities Geared Towards the Metabolic Society
Reducing and Reusing Waste Materials

Promoting the control of emissions and the reuse and recycling of waste, andproperly disposing of what we cannot use
Kansai Electric has been promoting a program for waste
management, from generation to disposal. As well as strictly
observing all legal requirements, we are working to promote“precycling” so that less waste will be generated, and we are
actively promoting the recycling of waste materials (see Figure 39).
■Industrial waste measures (Figure 39)

Executing corporate responsibilities
Waste reduction
Recycling and reprocessing resources
Development of treatment technology
Enhancing cooperation with local governments and related organizations

We have an extremely high recycling rate for industrial
waste—approximately 90%. As well, we reduced our emissions from1998 to 1999 by approximately 8,000 tons. The main reason for thiswas the reduction in emissions of gypsum plaster and soot due to a drop
in operations at fossil fuel power stations (see Figure 40, Table 5).
■Industrial waste recycling (Figure 40)(thousands of t)

90

200

189
88

89

179
90

92

90

167

180
88

88

140
80

140

132
109

70
0

93

94

95

96

97

160

98

120
101

100

Amount of waste (bar graph)

Recycling rate (line graph)(%)

We are striving to generate less waste and preserve theenvironment by using block-type insulation. Previously wereplaced the insulation during each periodic inspection of turbinesand valves at power stations. We also use the foundations of oldmachinery as replacements rather than reconstructing them.

Recycling

Industrial waste measures

100

Precycling

Gypsum plaster is generated by desulfurization facilities atfossil fuel power plants. In 1999, all of the plaster generated approximately 44,000 tons - was recycled for use in cement andplasterboard.
We are also actively involved in reusing other wastematerials, such as utilizing old electric poles made of concretein road foundations and recycling sludge from wastewaterdisposal for use in cement.
Furthermore, we are experimenting with the Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) standard, which determines theenvironmental effect that products have throughout their life
cycle, and promoting green purchasing. Other efforts towards
the building of a metabolic society include using recycled
products such as recycled paper and other office supplies, plantand building inspection route staircases made out of recycled
copper wire and plastic, and water permeable pavement
materials made of insulator scraps.

99 (Fiscal year)■Industrial waste recycling at Kansai Electric (Fiscal 1999) (Table 5)
Waste
SludgeMetal scraps
RubbleSoot and dust
Glass, ceramic chips
Waste oil
Waste plastics
Soot and dust
Others
Total

47

Description
Plaster sludge, waste water treatment sludge and other
Scrap iron and other
Waste concrete poles and scraps, and others
Heavy/crude oil ashes
Insulator scraps, glass wool and other
Waste lubricants, oil waste, oil sludge and otherIon exchange resin, polyethylene insulation tubing and otherAsh from furnaces and flues, and other
Slag, waste acid, waste alkali and other

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

Amount (1000 tons) (A) Recycled amount (1000 tons) (B) Recycling rate (B/A) (%)
46.50
45.49
98
17.84
16.71
94
16.73
15.91
95
6.53
6.53
100
5.08
0.56
11
4.82
2.98
62
1.64
0.13
8
0.81
0.27
33
1.07
0
0
101.0288.58
88

Recycled to:Construction materials, cement materials
Metal recovery
Road materials, metal recovery
Cement materials, fuelMetal recovery, roadbed materials
Fuel, other
Location survey poles, other
Rare metals recovery

Examples of Recycled Resources
Utilizing recycled low-voltage wires
When removing low-voltage wires, the PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) used for coating electric wires was previously
processed as industrial waste and disposed of byincinerating at high temperature or burying in the ground,while the copper scraps were recycled. But since 1998, thecoating materials from removed electric wires have been
pulverized, reprocessed and used along with the copper
scraps as recycled wires (see Figure 41).
We are also incorporating lightweight resin drums
in cooperation with an affiliated company (Daito Co., Ltd.),
who uses them to coil round electric wires.
In this way, by complying with the Life Cycle
Assessment method, which scientifically analyses andassesses the environmental effect related to product life cycles(from the material procurement stage to final waste disposal),Kansai Electric contributes to reducing costs related to things
like raw materials and industrial waste disposal.
■Recycling system of low-voltage electric wires(Figure 41)

We are determined to continue studying ways to makelighter products, reducing manufacturing costs, and making new
and improved products.

Brick manufacturing using coal ash
Maizuru Power Station (fossil fuel), which is presently underconstruction, will use coal for fuel, and generate coal ashes in the future.
For this reason we are looking into using this coal ash to
make bricks as a way to make the best use of resources. In 1999, withthe cooperation of the Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Industrial
Research, we used this research as a basis for trial manufacturing ofbricks using a production line at a roof tile plant. Careful managementof the burning temperature allowed us
to make bricks containing up to 50%
coal ash.
We hope that further
research will allow us to make abusiness out of making and sellingthese bricks.
Oxidized baked bricks containing coal ash

Making unbaked bricks
Recycled
electric wires

Electric
wires
RemovalPurchase/
Installation

Kansai ElectricCollection
Constructing
company

Collection

Drums

Repair/Supply

DaitoElectric wire
companies

Copper
Scrap

Dissolution regeneration
has been implemented

RVC
scrapsPulverization/
Reprocessing

Using insulation material scraps(Osaka Power Station)
Waste materials generated during power station maintenance—such as scraps from insulating material and fireproof material—
are mixed with a special hardening agent to make interlocking
blocks and planters that areused for environment repair
work. Thus, materials thatwere previously buried in
garbage dumps arerecycled in efforts to
Flower planter at an office entrance(Osaka Power Station)
protect the environment.

Unbaked bricks are made from more than 80% waste materials,
including incinerator ash from burnt sewage sludge, coal ash, quarry
waste dirt, steel slag, and glass scraps. Using a special hardening
technology patented by Kamei Pottery Manufacture Co., Ltd.
(located in Kasahara Town, Toki, Gifu Prefecture), the materials are
molded and hardened without baking into products that meetstandards for product hardness and standards for product safety set
by the Environment Agency.
Currently, the Kansai Environmental Engineering Center isworking with Kinki Concrete Industries and Kamei Pottery, carryingout experiments to develop technology for making blocks out of
sludge accumulated at hydroelectric dams, shells from fossil fuel andnuclear power stations, and things like insulator scraps from theKansai Electric Group’s waste materials. The goal is to create abusiness manufacturing and selling these blocks.
We are also developing a network ofcompanies and local governments thatmust dispose of waste, the Kansai
Electric Group, which takes thiswaste and processes it, andcompanies and local governments who
Unbaked bricks
can use the products we make from the waste.
Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

48

Making water-permeable and otherpavement materials from insulator scraps
As a result of our research and development on practical uses forinsulator scraps, in 1993 we developed a commercial waterpermeable pavement material made with an energy-efficientmanufacturing process. This material can mitigate the heat islandeffect in densely populated urban areas by maintaining the ambient
temperature at a comparatively low level. In 1995, we also began toprovide a light-colored asphalt pavement material that keeps
pavement temperatures
low in the summer and isresistant to damage fromtire chains in the winter.
Water-permeable pavement frominsulator scraps(Amagasaki Techno-land)

Aiming for a power station with zerowaste (Kasugade Power Plant)
Many of our offices and plants are tackling recycling,efficiently utilizing resources by sorting waste such as paperand cans. Since 1998, under the “Zero Waste Campaign,” theKasugade Power Station (fossil fuel) has been endeavoring to
reduce waste and expand the use of sorted waste, recycling it as
fertilizer and solid fuel.
Using the slogan “Waste is a Great Resource,” wepromote waste sorting in the work place, setting up “sorted
waste collection corners” rather than trash cans. Every
employee is cooperating by depositing their waste at thecollection corners which are decorated with white-clothcovered tables and flowers, instead of throwing it away.
We also promote the recycling campaign by investigating
what other businesses with advanced recycling campaigns are
doing and collecting ideas through slogans and posters.
Inthefuture, we will
work to spread ourefforts to otherbusiness locations.

Sorted waste
collection corner

49

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

Recycling insulating oil
Due to its high toxic content, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB),
which was being used as insulating oil for electrical apparatus suchas transformers, was banned from both use and production underadministrative guidance in 1972. Furthermore, in 1974, when the
Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture,etc. of Chemical Substances was enforced, PCB manufacture,importation and use became illegal in principle, and it was
mandatory for manufacturers and enterprises to keep it under strict
control. Kansai Electric has kept PCB in exclusive storage underclose surveillance.
PCB disposal methods were limited, and although hightemperature incineration was acceptable, scarcely more than apartial experimental disposal treatment was carried out
domestically, and keeping it under strict watch had become thelong-term procedure for handling PCB. There has been a demand
for the establishment of a new disposal technique which would
replace the incineration method.
Kansai Electric and Kansai Tech Corp. have jointly
developed a new chemical treatment disposal technique to replacehigh temperature incineration disposal (see photo below). The
government has recognized the practicality of the technique which
generates no combustion gas and basically completes the reaction
process in a closed cycle.
Along with enforcement of disposal standards, ourchemical disposal technique was sanctioned as an approved method
to dispose of PCB when the ministerial ordinance of the Law
Concerning Waste Treatment was amended (June 1998). Utilizing
the technique developed by our company, we are investigatingconcrete disposal plans in order to start actual disposal at the earliest
possible time, and aim to be actively engaged in efficient use of theinsulating oil that we have retained.

Sorted waste collection corner

Promoting Green Purchasing
The term “green purchasing” means that consumers and businesses
purchase products and services based not only on price and quality,
but on the impact they have on the environment.
Kansai Electric has for some years now been practicing
green purchasing by actively purchasing (and leasing) energyconserving equipment such as superbly power efficient electricvehicles and various eco-label products. We drew up our Green
Purchasing Promotion Policy in 1999 and have been earnestly
striving to “purchase green” in all areas of the company.
We currently use 100% recycled copy paper in thecompany and soon employees will be wearing work clothes madefrom recycled PET bottles.

Work clothes made fromrecycled PET bottles

古紙配合率100％再生紙を使用

Eco-friendly

Recycled paper

Global energy logo

Eco-labels

Promoting Eco-Business Throughout the Kansai Electric Group
Kansai Electric develops innovative eco-business throughout the group

In recent years eco-businesses (environment-related industries),
which provide recycling equipment and technology, low-pollution
vehicles, and eco-friendly products, have been the object of publicattention. As well as being a major contributor towards creating asustainable society with lower environmental impact, eco-businesses
are expected to become the driving force for economic development
and innovation. We anticipate much growth in this area.
Our goal is to establish a groupwide eco-business strategy
that will contribute to environmental conservation by mobilizing thediverse technological expertise of the Kansai Electric Group topromote and support eco-business efforts in various ways, such asproviding market information through a regular newsletter EcoBusiness News (see photo below). Several of Kansai Electric’s

affiliated companies which are currently in the process of developing
innovative eco-business products and services are introduced on
pages 51 and 52.

Eco-Business News

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

50

KANSAI ENVIRONMENTENGINEERING CENTER CO., LTD.
Dioxin research and analysis
The Kansai Environmental Engineering Center Co. is involved in
dioxin research and analysis, one of today’s major issues.
To respond to the demand for control of the precision andquality of toxic dioxins analysis, and to obtain accurate data, theAnalysis Center in Higashi-Osaka City has installed the latest highprecision, high-sensitivity analysis system which received ISO 14001
certification and is based on our great wealth of experience andadvanced technology.
In answer to requests from local authorities, we actively
engage in research and analysis of dioxins (including Co-planar
PCBs), environmental hormones, heavy metals found in soils, exhaust
fumes, and waste water.

KANSAI TECH CORP.
Using PCB disposal technology for analysis
Kansai Tech carries out analysis of environmental elements such asair, gas, and soil, and also diagnoses the remaining life span of existingtransformers.
Kansai Tech was also engaged in the recent dioxin problem,and has started measuring and analyzing dioxin at the TechnicalResearch Center in Fukuzaki, Minato Ward, Osaka City, which isequipped with the highly sensitive GC-MS (Gas Chromatograph Mass
Spectrometer).
An additional merit of the company’s analysis technology liesin the safe disposal of the samples received from customers after
analysis through disassimilation and nontoxic disposal technology.
This technology was developed in collaboration with Kansai Electric,
using the potassium tertiary butoxide method, a PCB chemical
processing technology sanctioned by the Law Concerning Waste
Treatment amendment in 1998.
Kansai Tech aims to be
an electric and communication
construction company withsuperior
environmental
technology and to continue
promoting eco-businesses.
Technical Research Center(Analysis Preparation Room)

Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)

TOKO SEIKI INC.
Selling simple electricity volume display
devices
In February 1999, Toko Seiki released the Ecowatt, a simple electricity
volume display device that encourages consumers to be energyconscious by allowing them to see how much power their home
appliances are using.
The Ecowatt shows the accumulated electricity costs,
electricity consumed, and amount of time used for each appliance inthe home, making it easy for anyone to see the amount of electricity
and electricity costs of their home appliances.
For example, you can raise or lower the temperature on yourair conditioner or heater and see,in actual electricity costs, howmuch you will save by doing so.
This makes it possible to saveenergy and electricity costs andsee just how much they arecontributing to protecting the
Earth’s environment.
Ecowatt

51

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

KANDEN L-HEART CO., LTD.
Floriculture
Kanden L-Heart works with the mentally challenged in floriculture
and flower garden maintenance businesses, helping to bring flowers
and plants to more areas and brightening up people’s days by offering
them something beautiful to look at.
The workers do everything they can do make the gardening
environmentally friendly; they recycle the soil and use organic
fertilizer and biodegradable flower pots.
Currently, the company plants flowers at Kansai Electric
locations and holds various flower exhibitions and sales. It has juststarted selling flowers to large supermarkets and has started a flower
arrangement service, both of which are winning repeat customers.
We offer our support to Kanden L-Heart in its continuing work with
its numerous physicallyand mentally challenged
employees as being apioneer in gardening andlandscaping.

Making a flower garden

KINDEN
Recycling coal ash as filler for propulsion
pipes for underground electric lines
Kinden has taken the coal ash generated at coal-powered fossil fuel power
stations and is using it to fill the propulsion pipes that are used to runelectric wires underground.
Previously, companies made underground electrical pipe lines
using non-cut-and-cover conduit excavation technology, placing many
porous electrical pipes inside the propulsion pipe and then securing thisby filling the pipe with a hardening agent such as mortar. However, with
the increasing congestion of facilities underground, demand arose for afiller that generated little heat andthat had high fluidity in order tomake effective use of the propulsion
pipes and cope with the long
distances to be filled.
In addition to generating
little heat and having high fluidity, thenewly developed filler makes gooduse of coal ash, a designated byproduct of coal-powered electricity.
Filling work

NIHON ARM
Manufacture and sale of steel pipe pillars forsoft underground construction
Nihon Arm builds steel pipe pillars with built-in cables for high and low
tension power lines. The company has built these all over Japan, in city
centers, residential areas, and in historical and tourist sites, always ensuringthat their products match the particular needs and scenery of each location.
The company used its experience to develop a steel pipe pillar
suitable for use in the type of “soft underground construction” based on the
New Power Line Underground Plan, which was created by various
government agencies and ministries at the end of fiscal 1998.
Soft underground construction is a flexible underground wiring
method in which various types of wiring can be combined, such as joining
overhead lines with back street powerlines and incoming lines. The goal is tomatch the wiring and power lines to thespecific situation of the location.
Nihon Arm will manufactureand sell low-cost, compact steel pipe
pillars for soft underground constructionthat blend in with outdoor lighting andmatch the surrounding environment.

TOKAI DENGYO
Manufacture and sale of bamboo charcoal
As one way to make efficient and environmentally friendly use of thebamboo trees that are cut down to make way for electrical power lines,
between October 1998 and December 1999 Kansai Electric contracted
Tokai Dengyo to carry out research on carbonizing bamboo to create a
new kind of charcoal called “bamboo charcoal.”
The research revealed the possibility of manufacturing thissuperb bamboo charcoal, which boasts the same quality as theextremely popular Bincho charcoal. In 2000, the company began fullfledged manufacture and sale of the product, called Chikutan, whichcomes in two types: one for cooking and another for bath freshening
and deodorizing. The company hopes that its bamboo charcoal cancontribute to saving the earth by effectively reusing valuable
resources.

Bamboo charcoal

KANDEN L-FARM
Making effective use of dam driftwood
Established as the first start-up company under Kansai Electric
Entrepreneurial Opportunity System, Kanden L-Farm takes unused
natural wood, such as that trapped by dams at hydroelectric power
stations, and disposes of it using the environmentally friendly bioregion
method.
Bioregions are a key to creating metabolic societies on a local
scale. As part of its own management policy, companies consider things
like ecology, geography, microorganisms, and local artisans, all thosevaluable resources that make each region unique. Companies thus work
independently to contribute to the creation of a metabolic society.
The company’s main products include barn bedding that is easyon the environment and livestock, raw material for compost, and soil
improvement agents forgardening. The company also
operates a farm for the purposeof studying the idea of returning
wood products to the soil.

Steel pipe pillar in Kobe’s Chinatown

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society52

2

Earnest Exchange and Cooperation with External Groups
Community Relations Facilities

In an attempt to provide information on our electric utility
business and our environmental preservation efforts and tocommunicate with local residents, community relations
facilities have been built on power station sites, where people
can familiarize themselves with our operations and equipment.

Kansai Electric has major plans to build facilities withexhibits that introduce the public to our environmental policies
and where they can see working models of things like solar
energy systems and thus learn about new energy sources.

Wakasa Takahama ELdoland
At Wakasa Takahama ELdoland, Kansai Electric’s community
relations facility, visitors can observe all kinds of tropical plants
and various tropical fish in the Tropical Wonder greenhouse.
Exhibits placed around the site assist in teaching people about
environmental problems and energy issues.

Tropical Wonder

Address

4-1 Aoto, Takahama-cho, Ohi-gun, Fukui Prefecture

Hours

From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (winter 5:00 p.m.)(Closed Mon. and Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)*If closing day falls on a national holiday, following weekday
is holiday in lieu. Open Apr. 29-May 5, Jul. 20-Aug. 31

Wakasa Takahama ELdoland
Contact
information Tel: (0770) 72-5890

Mihama Nuclear Power Community Relations Center
The Mihama Nuclear PR center at the Mihama Power Station
features models of a nuclear reactor and power station andvarious exhibits on nuclear power, giving visitors the chance toenjoy while learning.
AddressNiu, Mihama-cho, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture

Hours

From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed Dec. 29 to Jan. 4)

Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Community Relations Center
Contact
information Tel: (0770) 39-1210

Ohiri-kan, EL Park Ohi (Ohi Power Station)
At the Ohiri-kan, visitors can see the actual workings of a
nuclear power station at the Nuclear Power Theater, a modelof a nuclear reactor containment built to one-third scale. They
can also view the plant’s actual radiation management section
through a glass barrier.
Address

Tsutsumishita 40, Oshima, Ohi-cho, Ohi-gun,
Fukui Prefecture

Hours

From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Closed Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)

Ohiri-kan, EL Park Ohi
Contact
information Tel: (0770) 77-3053

53

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

EL City Nanko (Nanko Power Station)
A great place to experience the freshness of the wilderness inOsaka, the EL City Nanko community relations center boasts
surrounding forested hills with walking trails, an open grass field,
and a brook for playing or relaxing.
Address

7-3-8 Nanko Minami, Suminoe-ku, Osaka

Hours

From 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed 3rd Thurs. of every month, Dec. 29 to Jan. 4)

EL City Nanko
Contact
information Tel: (06) 6613-7458

Tango Watch-kan (Miyazu Energy Research Center)
The Tango Watch-kan community relations center at the Miyazu
Energy Research Center has an aquarium with fish and shellfish
native to the coastal areas near the site as well as a “pettingpool” where kids can reach in and touch the fish. Visitors canalso see a wind-powered generator and solar-powered house.
Address

1001 Oda Shukuno, Miyazu, Kyoto

Hours

From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Closed Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)

Tango Watch-kan
Contact
information Tel: (0772) 25-2026

Aquarium

Darrieus wind turbine
power generator

EL Village Okawachi (Okawachi Power Station)
The EL Village Okawachi community relations facility has log
house style buildings that fit in perfectly with the surrounding
mountains and forests. The buildings house a library wherevisitors can learn about nature and plants of the world and acenter where guests can receive advice on planting their own
flowers and gardens.
Address

34-1 Nitta Hase, Okochi-cho, Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo Prefecture

Hours

From 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed 2nd Mon. of every month, Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)

EL Village Okawachi, Okawachi Power Station
Contact
information Tel: (0790) 35-0888

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

54

Education to Help Spread Energy Conservation AwarenessSpreading energy conservation awareness through education

In order to deepen understanding of energy conservation, Kansai
Electric, at the request of local governments, women’s groups, andconsumer associations, cosponsors lectures and courses targeted athousewives on the basics of electricity and its efficient use. Our
widespread education campaigns also include running special energy
conservation supplements in major newspapers and in our in-house
publication and cosponsoring exhibitions on effective energy use
with outside groups like the Energy Conservation Center.
Furthermore, our meter-readers give customers a statement thatcompares the amount of electricity used each month with the samemonth of the previous year.
We also try to make our information pamphlets and publicity
goods as entertaining and interesting as possible so that learning
about energy conservation can be more fun for more people.

Kansai Electric booth at theEnergy Conservation
Center’s ENEX 99 fair

Energy conservation pamphlets
and publicity goods

Everyone’s Eco-Friendly Campaign
Kansai electric employees tackle global emvironmental preservation locallySince 1993, all Kansai Electric employees have taken part in theEveryone’s 1-2-3 Campaign, which calls for participants to plant
trees, reduce paper waste, and collect empty cans for recycling. For
this effort, our company received a Ministry of International Tradeand Industry Award in 1995 for outstanding contributions to thepromotion of recycling.
This success led to the start in 1996 of the New Everyone’s
1-2-3 Campaign, which comprises the three activities of tree
planting, resource and energy conservation in the office, andcommunity beautification.
In 2000, we started the Everyone’s Eco-Friendly Campaign, in
which employees continue to contribute to the protection of the local
environment through our previous
activities by working incooperation with the local
community.
Tree planting withelementary school children

55

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

Tree planting
Kansai Electric advertises the importance of keeping and cultivating
greenery by planting the saplings cultivated in its nurseries incooperation with local residents. We have planted a total of 235,000
saplings in public facilities such as schools and parks as of fiscal 1999.

Community beautification
For some time Kansai Electric has been promoting environmental
beautification programs together with the local community. Basedon this experience, we have been promoting companywide
environment beautification with the cooperation of the local
community since fiscal
1996, and in fiscal 1999
alone we carried out 801of these activities.
Community beautification activity
near an office100,000 People’s Eco-Family Campaign
Kansai Electric tackles global environmental preservation with the local community.

There has been a drastic increase in CO2 emissions in households
and the transportation sector in recent years. The call for people tochange their lifestyles in order to save energy is growing stronger. It
is also important for enterprises to tackle the global warming
problem in cooperation with the local community.
We have been promoting the 100,000 People’s Eco-Family
Campaign since 1998 to become environmentally friendly in ourhomes. Simple ways to conserve energy include turning off the TV
at the mains when not in use and not running idle car engines. The
results of an internal survey conducted in 1998 showed that many of
our employees have been actively engaged in these simple actions.
Since 1999, we are promoting Green Purchasing,encouraging everyone to purchase eco-friendly products such as
recycled toilet paper.

We will continue making efforts to spread this circle ofactivity in the local community through PR campaigns, well-timed
events, and cooperation with PTAs and local municipalities.

Leaflets and stickers for the 100,000 People’s Eco-Family Campaign

Cooperation with the Kansai Economic Federation and Other Groups
Working with outside groups to create a society dedicated to environmental protection

The Kansai Economic Federation has projects like the Green
Purchasing Promotion and the Summer Energy Conservation
Fashion Statement, in which employees are encouraged to dress
lightly in the office so that the temperature can be kept at theideal cooling temperature of 28 degrees.
These projects are part of activities geared towards theConstruction of an Eco-cyclical Society and Shift to a New
Lifestyle, which is one of the action plans of the Kansai
Economic Federation’s Kansai Revitalization Plan adopted in
December 1999. Kansai Electric is participating in these
activities in earnest, practicing green purchasing by buying
things like 100% recycled paper and having employees dressenergy-wise in the office to save on air conditioning.
We are also taking active part in the Toward a
Metabolism-Oriented Society, an initiative advocated by the
Global Environment Forum–Kansai whose members include
academics, economists, representatives from government, andlabor and women’s groups, as well as aiding outside
independent research through our Kansai Research Foundation
for Technology Promotion.

Proposals of the Global Environment Forum–Kansai

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

56

Cooperation with the Local Community
Kansai Electric works to preserve the environment with local residents.

Symposium on global environmental issues
We regularly hold symposiums, supported by the Osaka city andprefectural governments, that focus on global environmental
issues. This is an important opportunity to consider these issues
together with the local community.

Environmental events andcooperation with local governments

Environment Month
Symposium

During Kansai Electric’s “Environment Month” and “Customer
Service Month,” our branches and offices hold a variety of eventswith environmental themes, such as flea markets and recycling
fairs, in exchange and affiliation with the local community
through non-profit organizations and local governments.

Supporting environmental education
For elementary and junior high school students, we produced an
animated video that explains global environmental issues titled“Mako-chan’s Parrot - What is the Global Environment?” and apicture book with information concerning how to lead an ecofriendly lifestyle titled Mako-chan and Mimi’s Lifestyle Check.
The ecology of animals and plants living in our service area isintroduced in a booklet titled Our Friends on the Earth. This booklet has
gained popularity as a teaching material for environmental education.
We also produced a video titled “Let’s Consider the
Global Environment,” appealing to each individual to reconsider
their lifestyle and improve their environmental awareness.
A number of other environment-related publications are inwide use (see Table 6).

Flea market

Environmental education materials■List of Environment-Related Publications by Kansai Electric (Table 6)
Title

VideosKansai Electric Power’s Global Environmental Action Report
Kansai Electric Power’s Global Environmental Action Report- A Well-Balanced Environment Today and Tomorrow –Grandma’s Earth-Friendly Ideas
The Eco-Family’s Way to Live and Be Kind to the Earth
Mako-chan and Mimi’s Check on Life
Listen to Small Voices of the Earth
Our Friends on the Earth
A Well-Balanced Environment- Kansai Electric Power’s activities to fight global environmental problems –Let’s take a look at the global environment
Mako-chan’s Parrot – What’s the Global Environment? (animated)

Main Contents
An annual report on the progress of our environment-related activities
An annual report in English on the progress of our environment-related activities
Presents traditional earth-friendly wisdom collected from community residents
Q&A format on how to live in harmony with the environment
A book introducing eco-friendly lifestyles to the next generation (elementary and junior high school students) in the form of a check list for daily living
Explains global environmental problems, with illustrations of animals and plants from around the world
A series of booklets introducing the ecology of rare species of fauna and flora in our service area
Produced in both Japanese and English, introducing our activities to fight global environmental problems
Introducing global environmental problems and energy problems in friendly terms
Explaining global environmental problems to the next generation (elementary and junior high school students)

These materials are distributed free of charge while stocks last. Inquiries should be directed to: Environment Department, Environmental Management Group
Phone: 06-7501-0136 (direct line)

57

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

Information Exchange with Overseas Electric Power Utilities
Kansai Electric is engaged in information exchange and technical cooperation
with overseas electric utilities.
One company or one country acting on its own cannot solve global
environmental problems such as global warming. Action on a global
scale is required. Japan is a world leader in technologies such as
nuclear power, energy conservation and pollution control, andexpectations of Japan’s electric utilities are high in terms ofinternational technical cooperation.
Kansai Electric has been actively promoting international
technological cooperation in a number of ways. The main thrust of
our efforts is to contribute to environmental preservation by utilizing
the knowledge and expertise we have accumulated. For example, weoffer training courses in topics related to power generation,

participate in joint international research projects aimed atdeveloping latest technologies, and team up with power companies
in other advanced countries to offer aid to developing countries.

Information and technology exchangewith overseas organizations
We have information and technology exchange agreements with 17
electric utilities in 14 different countries. In addition to exchanging
the latest information and technology, we send lecturers abroad andoffer training courses as part of our international cooperation
program (see Table 7 and Figure 42).

■Information exchange agreements with overseas electric utilities (Table 7)
Electric utility

Date ofagreement

Date ofagreement

Electric utility

1Electricité de France (EdF), France

March 1979

10 Nordostschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (NOK), Switzerland

August 1991

2

Vattenfall AB, Sweden

June 1985

11 National Power plc., U.K.

October 1991

3

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), U.S.A.

June 1986

12 The Pacific Power Corporation, Australia

November 1991

4

Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk Energie (RWE-EAG), Germany

October 1987

13 Entergy Operations, Inc., U.S.A.

May 1992

5

East China Electric Power Group Corporation, China

March 1988

14 Taiwan Power Company, Taiwan

March 1995

6

Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, SA (ENDESA), Spain

March 1990

15 Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea (KEPCO)

March 1996

7

Nuclear Electric plc. (NE), U.K.

September 1990

16 Czech Power Company (CÉZ)

May 1997

8

Ente Nazionale per L’Energia Elettrica (ENEL), Italy

November 1990

17 MERALCO, The Philippines

October 1998

9

Unión Eléctrica - FENOSA, SA, Spain

July 1991(Figure 42)

7

2

11
4
1

6 9

10

16
8

15
13

5

3

14
17

12

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

58

3

Raising Employees’ Awareness of Their Responsibility as Global Citizens

Promoting employee awareness throughout the Kansai Electric Group

Kansai Electric has placed Global Environmental Project
Promotion staff throughout the Kansai Electric Group to fostera sense of global citizenship among employees and encouragethem to act based on an awareness of environmental problems.
The specially trained staff of 360 relay information to their coworkers and promote cooperative projects with otherorganizations.

59

Section 3 Activities Aimed at Building a Metabolic Society

Furthermore, we have chosen about 50 employees of
our affiliated companies to serve as Global Environmental
Promotion staff at their respective companies. Each year the
Conference for the Global Environmental Promotion Staff ofKansai Electric Affiliates is held to promote groupwide action
on global environmental problems.

[Reference] Changes Up to Now in Environmental Policies and Concrete Action Plans(Fiscal year) 1990

1991

1992

1993~1995

1996~1999

2000~

Environmental
Policies

Five Basic Principles of the Action Plan for
Global Environmental Considerations (Adopted April 1990)

Philosophy
ActionGuide

The Action Plan for Global Environmental
Consideration (Adopted April 1991)

Revisions

Mid-Term Action Plan

Eco
Action2000

Steady expansionof activities

New Mid-Term Action Plan

Promoting long-term activities Promoting long-term activities aimed atthat contribute to harmonious supporting harmonious coexistence withrelationship with societysociety•Entire company,
from head office
to all operation
1995〜
bases, makes new •Establish mid-termplans each fiscal
action plan for
year
entire company

Concrete
ActionPlans

Medium ofpromotion

Global Environmental Project
Promotion Conference[Reference]

New ERA Strategy

Power Plant Siting and Global
Environmental Promotion Conference

Nuclear Power andEnvironmental Committee

Report on the New Mid-term Action Plan for Global Environmental
Considerations (Companywide Action Plan)

Item

Fiscal 1996

Fiscal 1997

Fiscal 1998

Fiscal 1999

Evaluation of results

Goals for fiscal 2000

Reduction of CO2 emissions per unit of power generation

0.07kg-C/kWh

0.06kg-C/kWh

0.06kg-C/kWh

0.07kg-C/kWh

Due to improved capacity factor of nuclear power stations, the focus
on increasing nuclear power, which does not emit CO2, has
contributed greatly to a decrease in CO2 emissions. As the demand forelectric power grows, we will aim at promoting the New ERA Strategy.

Capacity factor of nuclear power stations

73.8%

84.2%

84.3%

82.0%

We achieved our goals, thanks to efforts to shorten time between
regular inspections and prevent breakdowns and accidents.

Maintained at 80% or more

Thermal efficiency of fossil fuel power stations(Compared to fiscal 1993; sending end thermal efficiency)

Increased by 1.1%

Increased by 1.2%

Increased by 1.2%

Increased by 1.2%

We achieved our goals.

Increased by 1.2%

Enlargement of LNG use

5,090,000t

4,990,000t

5,190,000t

5,490,000t

We achieved our goals. We have secured LNG supplies for a numberof years thanks to the signing of long-term contracts.

5,300,000t

Output expansion through hydro power station renovation

13,672kW

17,342kW

17,842kW

27,052kWThings are moving as planned and we will continue to increase capacity.

29,652kW

Reduction of power transmission and distribution losses

5.2%

5.4%

5.6%

5.3%

The loss has been maintained on a lower level.

Reducing as much as possible

49,000 contracts

65,000 contracts

80,000 contracts

95,000 contracts

Things are moving as planned and we will work aggressively toincrease the number of contract customers.

105,000 contracts
3,000 contracts① Increase number of“time-of-use lighting” contracts

Not more than 0.09kg-C/kWh(fiscal 1990 levels)② Increase number of“load heat storage adjustment” contracts

1,103 contracts

1,392 contracts

1,877 contracts

2,804 contracts

Things are moving as planned and we will continue to increase thenumber of contract customers.

③ Increase peak-shift demand thoughplanned adjustment contracts

370,000kW

380,000kW

530,000kW

530,000kW

We will work to ensure medium- and long-term systematic adjustment.

500,000kW④ Promotion of peak-cut-type equipment

7,000

51,00098,000148,000

We will continue to work to introduce more ofthese vending machines as planned.

200,000 units

Introduction of electric vehicles

99 vehicles

122 vehicles(as of April 1998)

144 vehicles

162 vehicles

We have achieved our goals.

Determine every year by market trends and technological innovation(176 vehicles in 2000:Not including specialty vehicles)

Use of untapped energy sources/heating districts

9 districts

9 districts

9 districts

10 districts

In 1999, we began supplying heat to the area south of
Sannomiya Station in Kobe.

11 districts

Collaboration on power generation using waste material

287 million kWh

346 million kWh

352 million kWh

394 million kWh

In April 1999, we began buying electricity from two new customers.

Purchase of surplus electricity produced by incinerating waste based on
our policy of contributing to solutions towards local waste disposal problems

740kW

In 1999, we introduced a total of 73 kW at five locations,thus achieving our goals.

735kW

We have almost achieved our goals. We will continue our efforts toincrease operational knowledge.

160kW

Leveling off
peak load

Use of newenergy sources(Kansai Electricfacilities)

New Everyone’s
1-2-3 Campaign① Photovoltaic power generation

489kW

587kW

667kW

② Wind power generation

160kW

160kW

164kW

159kW

① Number of trees planted

37,000 trees

73,000 trees

107,000 trees

140,000 trees② In-house resource andenergy conservation

In-house resource: 1%
Energy conservation: 1%In-house resource: 5%
Energy conservation: 1%In-house resource: 13%
Energy conservation: 1%In-house resource: 12%
Energy conservation: 2%③ Local environmental beautification

647 times

575 times

730 times

801 times

Employees of all divisions are working with local communities as muchas possible to solve environmental problems. We will continue to workwith local communities in contributing to environmental preservation.

5% electricity savings, reduction in
paper garbage compared to fiscal 1995
Continue to cooperate with local community

Recycling of industrial wastes

92%

90%

88%

88%

We will continue to improve our recycling efforts by striving for waste
reduction and effective waste utilization.

SF6 gas exhaust control/
gas reclamation rate during equipment inspection

60%

60%

60%

83%

To achieve our goals, we have decided to reclaim gas of 77 kV andlower, in addition to our previous reclamation of gas 154 kV and higher.

① SOx

0.14g/kWh

0.11g/kWh

0.08g/kWh

0.08g/kWh② NOx

0.18g/kWh

0.19g/kWh

0.15g/kWh

0.15g/kWh

Reduction of SOx and NOx emissions
per fossil fuel power generation

125,000 trees (five-year cumulative total)

Emission levels of Japanese power companies are remarkably low
compared to leading developed Western nations. As Kansai Electric’s levels
are particularly low, our main focus is on maintaining current levels.

90% or more90%
Maintaining at current reduced levels
Maintaining at current reduced levels

Reference60

[Reference] History of Energy and Environmental Issues
Kansai Electric Power
1950s
1960s

1951 Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
established.
1962 Direct burning of crude oil begun.
1963 R&D on flue gas desulfurization
begun.

1970s

1971 Public Pollution Investigation
Department established.
1972 Exhaust gas recirculation and twostage combustion methods
introduced.
Use of naphtha begun.
1973 Public Pollution Investigation
Department reorganized as
Environmental Affairs Department.
Use of NGL and LNG begun.
1974 Practical use of flue gas
desulfurization facility begun.
R&D on flue gas denitrification
facility begun.
1975 Environment Month introduced as anannual event.

1979 Low-NOx burners introduced.

1980s

Japan

1962 Law Concerning Flue Gas Control
enacted.
1967 Anti-Pollution Basic Measures Law
enacted.
1968 Air Pollution Control Law enacted.
1970 Water Pollution Control Law
enacted.
Law Concerning Waste Treatment
and Cleanup enacted.
1971 Environment Agency established.
1972 Limitation of Growth Reportpresented by the Club of Rome
United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment held in
Stockholm.
1973 First oil crisis.

1974 Total pollutant load control for SOx
introduced.

1977 Strengthening of Environmental
Impact Reviews in Power Plant
Siting determined by MITI’s
Ministerial Council.
1979 Law Concerning Efficient Use ofEnergy enacted.

1981 Total pollutant load control for NOx
introduced.
1984 Details on environmental impact
assessment determined by the
Cabinet.
1985 Vienna Convention for Protection of
the Ozone Layer adopted.
1986 Accident at Chernobyl Nuclear
Power Plant in former USSR.
1987 Montreal Protocol adopted.
1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) established.

1988 New corporate management plan
Vision for the Year 2030 released.

61

Reference

1979 Second oil crisis.
Accident at Three Mile Island
Nuclear Power Plant in USA.

1980 Flue gas denitrification facility
implemented.
1984 Deming Award for TQC activities
received.

1990s

World

1990 Global Environmental Project
Promotion Conference established.
Five Basic Principles of Action Planfor Global Environmental
Considerations adopted.
Environmental Technology ResearchCenter opened.
Research and development of flue gas
carbon dioxide recovery system begun.

1989 Ministerial Committee on Global
Environmental Protection
established.
1990 Action Program to Arrest Global
Warming adopted.
Global Environment Forum Kansai
established.

1990 Second World Climate Conference
held (IPCC’s interim assessment
report presented).

Kansai Electric Power
1990s

1991 Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
Action Plan for Global
Environmental Considerations
adopted .

1993 Kansai Electric’s Mid-Term Acition
Plan for Global Environmental
Considerations adopted.

1995 New ERA Strategy (Global Warming
Prevention Measures) formulated.
1996 Power Plant Sites/Global
Environmental Promotion Conference
established.
Global Environmental Project
Promotion Conference abolished.
New Mid-Term Action Plan for
Global Environmental Considerations
adopted.

2000s

2000 Kansai Electric’s Action Plan for
Global Environmental
Considerations revised.
Eco Action 2000 adopted.
Nuclear Power and Environmental
Committee established.
(Power Plant Siting and Global
Environmental Promotion
Conference abolished.)

Japan
1991 Global Environment Charter adopted
by Keidanren (the Federation of
Economic Organizations).
Law Concerning Promotion of
Reprocessed Resource Use enacted.
Law Concerning Waste Treatment
and Cleanup revised.
Act Charter adopted by Global
Environment Forum Kansai.
1992 Law on Protection of Endangered
Flora and Fauna enacted.
1993 Temporary Law Concerning thePromotion of Business Activities inRegard to Economizing the Use ofEnergy and the Utilization of
Recycled Resources adopted.
Basic Environmental Law adopted.
1994 Global Environment Forum-Kansai
reorganized.
Action plans for each country
presented, based on Framework
Convention on Climate Change.
Basic Environment Plan formulated.
1995 Law on the Classified Collection ofContainer and Packaging Waste, and
the Promotion of Recycling adopted.
AIJ Japan Program launched.
1996 JIS Environment Management
System and Environment Auditing
established.
Environmental Action Program ofElectricity Utilities Industry
formulated.

World
1991 Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change
begun.

1992 United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development(UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro.

1994 Framework Convention on Climate
Change (FCCC) effected.

1995 First Conference of the Parties(COP1) to the FCCC.
IPCC Second Assessment Reportpresented.
1996 Second Conference of the Parties(COP2) to the FCCC.
ISO Environment Management
System and Environment Auditing
established.

1997 UN General Assembly Special
1997 Environmental Impact Assessment
Session on Environment.
Law enacted.
Third Conference of the Parties forFederation of Economic
Framework Convention on Climate
Organization’s Environmental
Change (Global Warming Prevention
Autonomy Action Plan formulated.
Conference in Kyoto: COP3).
Electric Utilities Industry Law amended.
1998 Law Concerning the Rational Use ofEnergy amended (enacted April 1999). 1998 Fourth Conference of the Parties for
Framework Convention on Climate
Outline for Promotion of Efforts toChange (COP4).
Prevent Global Warming decided.
Law Concerning Promotion of
Measures to Cope with Global Warming
formulated (enacted April 1999).
1999 Fifth Conference of the Parties for1999 Basic Policies Relating to Global
Framework Convention on Climate
Warming determined by Cabinet.
Change in Bonn (COP5).
Law Concerning Special Measures
Against Dioxins enacted.
Japan’s PRTR Law enacted.
Accident at JCO uranium processing
plant.
2000 Metabolic Society Creation
Promotion Law enacted.

Reference62✂

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This report has been written in detail to help as many people as possible learn of theefforts Kansai Electric is taking to protect the environment. There may be, however,some points that are hard for the reader to understand, places where the information is
insufficient, or other deficiencies.
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Thank you very much.

Environmental Management Group
Environmental Considerations Department
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

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FAX: 81-6-6441-3549
To: Environmental Management Group, Environmental Considerations Department,
Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
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