report on conservation of resources in industry
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1 Introduction
In April 2014, the Japanese government approved the
new Strategic Energy Plan, which forms the basis for Ja-
panʼs energy policies for the immediate future. The ba-
sic concepts behind this plan are ensuring stable energy
supplies, environmental suitability, and the utilization of
market principles in a long-term, comprehensive, and
systematic set of policies. The plan places a powerful
emphasis on a comprehensive strategic approach to en-
ergy, including the development and introduction of vari-
ous types of energy sources, the technological develop-
ment of fuel cells and other types of new energy sources,
the utilization of nuclear power under the assumption
that safety can be ensured, the establishment of energy
infrastructure, and the revision of regulations. It also
incorporates measures to ensure stable oil supplies, such
as the adoption of a comprehensive raw materials strat-
egy, including strengthening relations with oil producing
nations, and building a robust business foundation for the
oil industry.
Figure 1 shows the global energy consumption trends
since 1990 and the outlook up to 2035. Although fossil
fuels are likely to account for the lionʼs share of energy
demand, the development, introduction, and use of re-
newables and other energy sources will be a key issue.
It is hoped that energy demand will gradually switch to
renewables in the future since these energy sources also
have the effect of helping to reduce CO2 emissions.
2 Energy for Transportation
2. 1. Current situation of energy resources
In 2012, oil consumption in the U.S. amounted to 18.56
million barrels per day (B/D). In China, this figure was
10.22 million B/D. These two countries accounted for
20.7% and 11.4% of the worldʼs oil consumption, respec-
tively. After the U.S. and China, Japan consumed 4.714
million B/D, India 3.652 million B/D, and Russia 3.174 mil-
lion B/D. Oil consumption in Europe as a whole was rel-
atively low. Germany was the largest single consumer of
oil in Europe and the 10th highest consumer globally at
2.358 million B/D. Oil consumption in China is expand-
ing remarkably in accordance with its recent economic
growth, and now stands 2.2 times higher than Japan.
Figure 2 shows the market price trends (in yen/liter)
for crude oil, diesel, and gasoline. The price of diesel
and gasoline in this graph includes tax (32.1 yen/liter for
diesel and 53.8 yen/liter for gasoline). After stabilizing
in the wake of the Gulf War (1990 to 1991) to between
10 and 20 yen/liter by 2004, crude oil prices have been
increasing since 2005. In July 2008, the sub-prime loan
crisis pushed prices up to 88 yen/liter, four times the
level in 2004. This was restricted to a two-fold increase
in diesel and gasoline prices by the use of the fuel tax.
However, this increasing trend may also be seen as an
opportunity to commercialize alternative fuels. Crude oil
prices did drop after reaching record highs in 2008, but
have risen constantly since then. Prices are currently
trending at around 70 yen/liter, partly due to the effect
of the depreciation in the yen.
2. 2. Biomass
Biomass is the fourth most important energy source
after oil, coal, and natural gas. The market for biomass
fuel is gradually expanding and now accounts for rough-
ly 3% of road transport fuel demand on a global basis.
Biomass also has the potential to be used as jet fuel.
2. 2. 1. Bioethanol
According to statistics compiled by F.O. Licht, global
ethanol production in 2013 increased by roughly 4% to a
record high of 106.60 million kL. Of this, approximately
83% was used for fuel. Figure 3 shows the annual
production trends in each country. Of the two main
producing countries (accounting for 75% of total global
production), the proportion of ethanol production in Bra-
zil increased by approximately 18% compared to 2012
as the price of sugar produced alongside sugar cane fell.