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A delegation from the DPJ General Research Committee on Energy, led by Chair Masayuki Naoshima, travelled to Europe for a week in late June/early July. The Commission has been convened some twenty or so times since it was established in October of last year, and recently issued a mid-term report (approved by the DPJ’s Next Cabinet on June 3), which was drafted after consultation with experts in the field and repeated discussions amongst party Diet members. The report focuses particularly on energy conservation and the use of heat for power generation. Since European nations are at the forefront of developing technologies in these fields, the General Research Committee decided that it was important to find out directly from those involved exactly what measures are being implemented and what direction is being taken. The DPJ delegation, which in addition to Naoshima comprised of Diet members Kaname Tajima, Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa, Soichiro Okuno and Misako Yasui, travelled to the Netherlands, France and Finland, visiting actual facilities and holding meetings with various government officials.
Even if Japan succeeds in reducing nuclear power production to zero by the year 2030, we must consider how to dispose of the high-level waste which has been accumulated over the years. Consequently, the delegation decided to visit France and Finland, which lead the debate in this field, to find out what discussions are in progress and what procedures are being utilized.
In the Netherlands, the use of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems, which use the heat from underground water sources to power air-conditioning and the like, are being promoted as one way of conserving energy. The DPJ delegation visited IF Technologies, which holds a 70% share of the domestic market in this field, and heard an explanation of Dutch policies. They also visited the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands
(ECN) in Amsterdam. ECN is a publicly-funded research institute that engages in research and makes policy proposals regarding renewable energy, and the efficient use of energy. During discussions, the delegation acknowledged that Japan lagged behind in the use of geothermal energy, and it was agreed that expanding the use of waste heat and renewable heat was an issue faces by both countries.
In France, the delegation visited the Bure underground laboratory, and heard an explanation of the reasons behind the selection of Bure as the final destination for France’s high-level waste, the content of the research currently being undertaken, and the reason why it was decided to use reprocessing rather than direct processing and to bury the waste in clay deposits rather than granite. They also visited an energy positive building located in Paris’ 18th District.
Moving to Finland, the delegation visited Olkiluoto nuclear power plant and the adjoining spent nuclear fuel depository at Onkalo, as well as a disposal facility for mid and low level waste. Finland is largely dependent on Russia for most of its fossil fuel, and imports more electricity than it exports. After travelling to Helsinki, the DPJ members met with Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori and discussed Finland’s energy policy, in particular the promotion of energy conservation and renewable energy and the way in which high-level waste is disposed of. They also visited a natural gas combined cycle power plant run by Helsingin Energia, and heard about the combined heat and power systems utilized within the city of Helsinki.
The knowhow gained on this visit to Europe will be used as a reference point for future discussions within the General Research Committee, as well as when drafting specific policies (legislative proposals), particularly relating to energy conservation and renewable energy.
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