## (3) Measures for individual energy equipment

Technology makes a great contribution to the implementation of measures for individual energy equipment, and here are some examples.

In the industrial sector, energy-saving equipment, high efficiency industrial furnaces and boilers have been introduced to improve the efficiency of the combustion process and enhance energy-saving performance. In the transport sector, technologies to develop lightweight vehicles, technologies to improve engine efficiency and control technologies for hybrid vehicles help improve fuel economy and enhance energy-saving performance. In the residential/commercial sectors (Commercial and other sector, and residential sector), there exists a water heater with the function of latent heat recovery (where heat released into the atmosphere in the form of vapor can be recycled). Also, LED makes a great contribution to lighting equipment. Thus, technologies help improve energy efficiency and energy saving.

For more information on technologies that contribute to the improvement of energy efficiency and energy saving and support policy measures to reduce energy-oriented carbon dioxide, see Table 3-2-1.

Besides the contribution to reduce energy-originated carbon dioxide, technologies also play a significant role in the measurement and future estimation. Furthermore, their indirect contributions are also noteworthy. For example, an anti-idling system would encourage more drivers to resist engine idling, and LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems would increase the convenience of public transport, resulting in the increase of public transport users. Also, there are some energy-saving products for home electricity users (power outlet called “Eco-Tap,” outlet equipped with a timer, etc.) that make it possible to conveniently shut off the power without unplugging a unit, and such products would help promote the reduction in standby power consumption. Those technologies make great contributions to the improvement of people’s attitudes toward energy saving and adoption of ecology-conscious lifestyle.

Thus, many of the measures that we have been implementing under the Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan greatly benefit from the development and commercialization of technologies and their indirect effects. In making our continued efforts to global warming countermeasures in the future, the development and utilization of technologies should have significant meaning, along with institutional development and reform of people’s attitude and behaviors.

## Section 3: Our Past Experiences to Overcome Environmental Problems with Technologies

Having faced various pollution problems in the past, Japan overcame each of those problems by introducing diverse environmental conservation measures. One of the elements that helped us successfully tackle the problems was technology.

The development and introduction of an environmental conservation technology costs a business a large amount of additional expenditures. At the same time, however, such technology contributes not only to environmental conservation but also to improvement of the business' technological strengths and international competitiveness, as well as creation of new business opportunities and the comfort of people. This section will explain past examples of how environmental conservation technologies made significant contributions to the Japanese society.

### a. Flue gas desulfurization facility to reduce sulfur oxides (SO $ _{x} $ ) emissions

After World War II, Japan had achieved rapid industrial restoration at an unprecedented pace, which was amazing to other

countries. At the same time, the increase of smoke generated by plants nationwide aggravated air pollution rapidly in Japan.

In order to overcome this industrialization-caused air-pollution problem, our industrial sectors promoted the use of low-sulfur petroleum and invested in the development and introduction of a flue gas desulfurization facility. As a result, the number of businesses that introduced such desulfurizer increased significantly during the period from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s (Figure 3-3-1), successfully mitigating air pollution.

By exporting technology developed through the commercialization of flue gas desulfurization facilities, Japan could help developing

Flue gas desulfurization facility

Photo: courtesy of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.