automation. One of reasons for the higher emissions in the residential sector is increased power consumption resulting from a rise in the number of households. The energy consumption pattern of these sectors is to purchase and use ready-made energy-consuming equipment and appliances and lack professional knowledge

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# Solutions by “Visualization” -- Toward Compatibility of Profit Generation by Companies and Reduction of CO $ _2 $ Emissions

Greenhouse gases generated by energy consumption are a major source of global warming. In order to protect the comfortable way of life and the livable earth for our descendants, not only companies and industrial plants but also retail outlets and residential houses have been called upon to make energy-saving efforts in recent years.

Since energy like electricity and gases is intangible, we normally cannot see an amount used. However, through “visualization” of an amount used, it is possible to make a detailed analysis of when, where and how much energy is being used. Even in the commercial and civilian sectors of offices and homes, where it was previously thought to be difficult to take measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, an unexpectedly large amount of uneven or wasteful use of energy can be found by “visualization” of an amount of electricity consumed.

In recent years, a business was launched to identify the wasteful and uneven use of energy at plants and offices of customer companies and provide advice on improvements through “visualization” of an invisible amount of energy used. Energy-saving and environmental activities based on this technology are also becoming active.

Particularly in the manufacturing sector, where energy-saving activities have been going on for long years, people tend to think that all conceivable improvement measures have already been taken. But more precise energy measurement and “visualization” of each facility and production line should find that there still is unexpected room for further improvement. Also, the civilian and commercial sectors, which have been increasing carbon dioxide emissions year by year, are assumed to have further room for energy-saving efforts. In the case of companies that operate multiple outlets, attention tends to be focused on energy consumption at these outlets. However, by looking at companies’ overall operations and through management of business bases that consume a large amount of energy, such as distribution centers, warehouses and manufacturing plants, we are likely to find further room for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy-saving activities based on “visualization” have produced remarkable results, notably in the “Kyoto model,” of robust eco-friendly activities at municipal kindergartens and elementary, junior high and high schools in Kyoto. Furthermore, through environmental education that utilizes the “visualization” technology, efforts are under way to nurture human resources for building a sustainable society. Energy-saving and environmental activities can be expected to broaden further, spreading from schools to homes and local communities.

Going forward, with the spread of photovoltaic power generation, etc. and through the optimum accommodation of electricity such as prioritized utilization of renewable energy that does not emit carbon dioxide, it can be expected that the compatibility of the comfortable way of life and reductions of carbon dioxide emissions will become feasible and a society that enriches both the environment and people's livelihood will be realized.

Examples of Improvements by "Visualization"

Though temperatures were lower in September than in July, electric energy is larger in September

There is waste in in-between periods such as mixed operations of cooling and heating

●Realize energy-saving by improving methods of facility operations and management ●Reduce demand and consumption energy through automatic control of air conditioning

Source: Prepared by the Ministry of the Environment based on data provided by Omron Corp.