What kind of training is energy conservation training?- PREX Island
PREX Members
What kind of training is energy conservation training?
Japan has many things to be proud of on the world stage. Energy conservation technology and know-how in particular can contribute to effective energy use, CO2 reduction, and environmental conservation if this knowledge is spread worldwide. I think this will become ever more important in the future. In the Kansai region in particular, there are large corporations as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises that have the technology to promote energy conservation, which I would like to introduce to the world through the training program.
“JICA Training for Government Efforts in Energy Conservation Technology and Dissemination of Technology” is a training program that started in 2014 and has been going on for three years. This year, it was held twice in July and October, with a total of 12 participants from 11 countries. Our goal is to have participants learn about energy conservation, create action plans, and implement them in their organizations once they return to their home countries. I hope in particular that learning about energy conservation technologies and specific measures carried out by Japan’s private companies will help participants draw up effective energy conservation measures in their own countries.
Tell us about the participants.
The participants came from countries in various situations, including energy-rich countries, countries with the world’s cheapest electricity fees, and countries where daily 10-hour blackouts were the norm. As such, their energy conservation situations were vastly different from each other. Most countries had some form of law concerning energy conservation, but it seems the state and citizens have neither a strong interest nor understanding of energy conservation. They also face budget limitations. However, these participants were workers from their country’s energy-related ministry or agency, municipality, or power company, and were already involved in energy conservation in their own countries. They all shared the same desire to somehow gain the understanding of the state, organizations, and citizens to promote energy conservation.
What makes energy conservation in Japan and Kansai something to be proud of?
Japan can pride itself on how there are mechanisms in place in companies and organizations to train people to promote energy conservation, how there are many energy-efficient products available domestically, and how energy management systems are widely in place amongst companies and organizations. The Kansai region can pride itself on its many companies that have excellent energy-conservation and environmentally-friendly technologies.
For training, I asked Mr. Takuo Yamaguchi from Bizen Green Energy Co., Ltd.to be our advisor. This company, located in Okayama, has made energy conservation its business. I would like participants to hear about their experiences and look into the possibility of creating a company like this in their home countries.
Is common sense in Japan common sense for the world?
Advisor Yamaguchi comments as follows: “I have learned a lot through the training program by getting to know the state of countries all over the world.” For example, Venezuela is the third-largest oil producer in the world, but is dependent on hydroelectricity for power. When draughts occur during the dry season due to global warming, the dams become unusable and there is a shortage of power. This is a strange story, considering how they have oil.
What is seen as common sense in Japan is not necessarily the same for the world. There are many people in the world who face challenges that we cannot even imagine. I don’t know what kind of environment Japan may find itself in the future, but I think that hearing about how people of the world are grappling with their challenges and thinking about them together through this training is very valuable in preparing for the future.
- Date : December 27, 2016
- Name : Musha MAKIO International Department
