Tokyo as One of the Leading Megalopolis - Essay Example

Introduction Energy is more than just a number on the utility bill, it has to do everything we do to live our lives. Energy resources are running out and carbon-emissions due to consuming energy resources are choking clean air. That is why megalopolises like Tokyo need to conserve energy and become more energy efficient. Being efficient in energy usage can help Tokyo in running its daily operations by using less energy. As a result, resources will last longer and will pollute the air less. Definition In simple terms, energy efficiency means more efficient use of resources to produce goods and products. It means that less energy is consumed using energy efficient methods for goods production. Background Tokyo is one of the leading megalopolis of the world with over 40million population. It is leading the world by example in energy efficiency despite being the home of one of the best mass rail transit networks, holding dense urban population and a high-tech neon-lit lifestyle. Their wide usage of electric heat pumps (EHP) gives them the ability to maintain low carbon emission profile. Furthermore Tokyo also utilizes water and thermal energy using EHP, which is broadly accessible around Tokyo districts. If things go as planned, Tokyo could possibly be among world’s lowest carbon emitting cities. Tokyo’s energy efficient ways are different and somewhat better than western conventional simulations (Hitoshi & Yoshitaka, 2008. Page; 1). Outline of Essay This small essay looks at various methods employed by Tokyo which is one of the most populated cities of the world. And looks more closely at some selected methods those stand out from the rest that Tokyo incorporates to save energy. First one is the reduced consumption of gasoline and reduction in greenhouse gases. The second factor for energy efficiency is Thermal Power production and the last factor in this essay is the Lifestyle of the people of Tokyo. Factor A Compactness of the City and Green House Gas Reduction Tokyo is a jam packed city and this is a compliment. The city is well equipped with railway transit system which considerably reduces fuel consumption; people either use public transport, ride a bicycle or simply walk to their work. Preference to buy a house near railway station is significantly high and apartment prices drop if they are located far away from such public facilities. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is well on its way in Tokyo. Moreover the structure of buildings is such that it accommodates more people by occupying less space. Road network throughout Tokyo is dense and is made for the primary purpose of walking. People of Tokyo are accustomed to this style of life which enables them to efficiently use their energy resources (Hitoshi & Yoshitaka, 2008, page; 2). Other factor that contributes to energy efficiency is Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) program called the ‘Tokyo CO2 Reduction Program’ to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from existing facilities. Large scale factories and offices emit almost 40% of the carbon dioxide. This plan was introduced in 2005 and since then almost 10,000 facilities have been evaluated against Carbon Dioxide emission standards. New buildings were built at a very rapid pace after 2000 because many buildings were previously built in the 1970s era and needed replacements. That is why special attention was given to newly constructed buildings to make sure that they play their part in achieving Tokyo’s energy efficient plan (Sorenson & Okata, 2011, page; 37-38). Factor B Water Thermal Energy Tokyo-Bay is one central source of low cost energy that enables Tokyo government to make Water-Thermal energy. Water is sufficient as many rivers flow into the Tokyo-Bay. For air conditioning and water heating, main reliance is on the power generated by using water sources. Energy efficiency and reduced emission of carbon dioxide is attained by using water as a thermal energy source. It is a two-step process to implement the strategy which involves transforming thermal production to non-fuel burning system. First, Electric Heat Pumps (EHP) are utilized to make this process work, they hold the central position if this energy efficient plan is to work out. Second step involves augmenting EHP characteristics by supplying water stored thermal energy through rivers and other water channels (Hitoshi & Yoshitaka, 2008). For Tokyo, thermal power generation is the main source to supply electricity because of its reliability and economical generation (TEPSCO, 2011). Factor C Energy Efficient Labels and Lifestyles Tokyo uses labels on home appliances that indicate the energy efficiency of that product. Various drives and campaigns are underway that encourage customers to buy products that have this label on them. This drive is to reduce electricity consumption by home appliances that consume almost 50% of household supplied electricity. It was recognized as a national program in Oct 2006 and now it has spread all across Japan. In addition, Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also launching a program to reduce Carbon dioxide emission from residential sector (TMG, 2007, page; 11). Moreover people have chosen ways to live their lives that support government’s action plan to conserve energy. From June 2011, Tokyo employees (which are around 10,000) have started working earlier in order to exploit daylight and save power. Less air-conditioning and lights are used after dark and that is one way of contributing towards efficient energy usage (Associated Press, 2011). Conclusion Many factors, other than the one’s mentioned above, contribute to Tokyo’s energy efficiency. The lifestyle that people are used to now is such a great element that reinforces all administrative efforts. People prefer walking, riding bicycles or using railway transits to reach their destinations. If the infrastructure of Tokyo is compared with that of New York, it can be observed that Tokyo is oriented towards making most of the available space; houses do not usually have garages and there are many interconnected roads as compared to American road system which are broader but fewer. Lifestyle is one thing, using natural resources efficiently is another and the combination of both is the key to energy management. That is why TMG makes the most of Tokyo Bay and drives more economical power out of it using electric heat pumps. Advantage of using above mentioned strategies is they are all practice, they are not on paper only. They have actually helped the ‘Electronic-City’ of the World to be a low carbon emitting city. Using thermal energy, changing lifestyles and purchasing smart energy efficient home appliances are the ways to be energy efficient and ecofriendly. Work Cited Tokyo Climate Change Strategy. (2007). Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Page: 11-12 Hitoshi AOK & Yoshitaka AOK. (2008). How to make Mega-Cities Energy Efficient. Page: 1-17 Associated Press. (2011). Tokyo employees start work early to save power. Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jun/06/tokyo-work-early-power. Last accessed 14th Oct 2011. A. Sorensen and J. Okata. (2011). Tokyo’s Urban Growth, Urban Form and Sustainability. In: J. Okata and A. Murayama Megacities: Urban Form, Governance, and Sustainability. Tokyo: Springer. 15-41. Staff. (2005). Thermal Power. Available: http://www.tepsco.co.jp/oversea/thermal.html. Last accessed 14th Oct  Read More