Policy Brief Series
Issue Number 4 / November 2014
Renewable energy diffusion schemes in Japan and European countries
by Teppei Katatani, Masataka Kashiwa, Junya Ishida, Kyosuke Tanaka and Naoya Abe
Introduction
A shift from a heavy dependency on conventional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, to well-balanced renewable energy sources (RESs), such as wind and solar photovoltaics (PV), has been carried out globally to reduce carbon emissions and dependencies on conventional energy sources. A Feed-in Tariff (FiT) policy, which was enacted in Japan on July of 2012, has accelerated the diffusion of RESs. However, the rapid expansion of RESs can cause instability in the energy grid because of their heavy dependence on weather conditions. Continue reading…
Issue Number 3 / January 2013
California’s Renewable Energy Program: its future amid economic crisis
by Sheau-Chyng Wong, Eiko Kojima and Naoya Abe
Introduction
California is unarguably one of the most energy efficient states in the U.S. It has the most stringent energy efficiency standards and regulations in the country, developed since the oil shocks of the 1970’s. While the annual electricity use per capita of the country has been steadily rising past 12 kWh, the average Californian has been consistently consuming only 7 kWh per year since the 1970’s. Continue reading…
Issue Number 2 / November 2012
Accommodating renewable energy programs for rural electrification through policy and sector change: a view of the world through the Philippines
by George William Hong, Teppei Katatani and Naoya Abe
Introduction
Energy access, particularly electricity, is one of the most crucial components needed for economic and social development, especially in developing countries. It was estimated that about 1.3 billion people around the world lacked access to electricity in year 2009. [IEA, 2011] While the energy access gap has slowly been
addressed, the challenge to meet universal access is expected to persist even beyond 2030. Providing electricity for all, however, requires the investment of large amounts of resources (energy). Continue reading…
Issue Number 1 / October 2012
Renewable Energy Sources Act in Germany
by Teppei Katatani, Nirmala Hailinawati and Naoya Abe
Introduction
Germany is well known as a leader in the use of renewable energy sources. As of 2011, the shares of renewables in Germany reached 12.2% of the total final energy consumption and 20% of the total
gross electricity consumption. Continue reading…