Japan pushes energy efficient homes

Plan is to make all homes energy efficient by 2030.

Japan is developing an ambitious plan to make homes energy efficient by advocating the use of a “home energy management system” and promoting “residential cogeneration fuel cells.”

The home energy management system is expected to increase the energy efficiency of homes, said the draft of a clean-power policy report. Up to 5.3 million units residential cogeneration fuel cells will be installed by 2030. Japan will have 53.4 million households in 2030.

Japan will also promote research and development in clean energy industries including solar thermal and large-size wind turbines, the report said.

Cogeneration fuel cells or combined heat and power fuel cells are used to generate both electricity and heat for homes, office building and factories. The system generates constant electric power and at the same time produces hot air and water from the waste heat.

A home energy management system is a computer-based control system that controls and monitors a home’s mechanical and electrical equipment such as lighting, power systems, and security systems.