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Power crunch averted as record heatwave scorches Kanto area

39 Comments
By Yuka Obayashi and Nobuhiko Kubo

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39 Comments
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Again???

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

solar on all roofs to use during heat wave .. solar can easily power a conditioners for a house.

the effect is that it gets even hotter because of all the conditioners running lol

But Solar is the best solution

20 ( +25 / -5 )

Why didn’t they prepare for this sooner and get ready for the extra demand for power needed every summer? They couldn’t organize a piss up in a brewery,

14 ( +23 / -9 )

But Solar is the best solution

Along with changes to building codes, to ensure buildings are better constructed insulated and situated. But those actions might mean big power companies do not continue to reap huge profits. Individuals, especially those clamoring for freedom from big government and corporations, need to take greater responsibility for their own homes and how they heat and cool them. Too bad there are not more entrepreneurs in Japan setting up businesses and working to find ways to help individuals rely less on the grid and big government.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

This time last year it was three week to Olympic. Not much has changed in Tokyo regarding heat and covid numbers too. Shoutout to Shogun Bach too!

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

But Solar is the best solution

Absolutely, but initial costs are prohibitively expensive for most people. The government also keep cutting subsidies for solar panels.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

solar on all roofs to use during heat wave .. solar can easily power a conditioners for a house.

the effect is that it gets even hotter because of all the conditioners running lol

But Solar is the best solution

agreed Japan could have done something years ago, mandate that all new homes built to have a minium amount of solar panels installed eg 4kw 6kw etc, solar panel system isnt a big investment compared to the price of a new house. if every home /business in Japan had a few solar panels installed we wouldnt be have electricity shortages. problem is big generators dont want the competition and will lobby the government to stop it.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

Henri

solar on all roofs to use during heat wave .. solar can easily power a conditioners for a house.

the effect is that it gets even hotter because of all the conditioners running lol

But Solar is the best solution

Yup. The gov should be offering big rebates for solar upgrades to existing homes, as well as new construction. Also, low-e and UV blocking windows; insulation for attics, walls, and crawlspaces; and, anything else that can reduce electric and gas consumption for heating and cooling also deserve govt incentives.

But, hey, at least the power companies got Y2000 per customer to administer some nonsensical point reward system.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Poor contingency planning as usual.

The highly evolved superior nation of ditherites

-2 ( +14 / -16 )

Hell it’s an easy out, 20 years ago but it’s Japan so in 20 years they will form a panel to discuss options and come up with a bizarre option that ensures companies can still rape the population. While the rest of the world once again have moved on. The insipid corruption that drives decisions in Japan is holding everything back.

4 ( +13 / -9 )

May be if people start building energy saving homes then they don't need to use so much electricity.

How about stop using these so called ""ECO water boilers"" that sucks power like crazy, they are a disaster.

Or how about stop building Black and Dark gray walled homes that looks like a grave, or how about putting few tiles on the east side of the roof, or how about putting the A/C compressor on the west or the north part of the building all these steps can and will save energy and save the home owner lots of money

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Thank you SoftBank! From 25c reset to 26c. Hahaha.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Henri

Today 04:56 pm JST

solar on all roofs to use during heat wave .. solar can easily power a conditioners for a house.

> the effect is that it gets even hotter because of all the conditioners running lol

> But Solar is the best solution

You need to do some research on your claims.

Now seeing I own a house in Tokyo I actually have.

And the tiny roof space we have on our house would barely provide enough power to run the house and require quite a large battery storage, now the power problem is primarily in the major cities.

Again you could fill every mm of roof space on a Highrise apartment building and not generate enough energy for more than a few apartments.

Wind generators produce far more with less space, ( a small 5KW wind turbine will produce the same amount as 24 solar panels 1.6 m2 each. Enough for one house)

To fully supply a family of 4 you need approx 16 panels or a minimum of 25 m2 and a storage unit.

My roof in Tokyo barely meets the minimum size needed.

Then we have the cost not even worth talking about it was off the charts.

So solar at best converts 20% to 30% of the energy to power as Wind between 60% and 90% solar only functions during the day wind all day and night with most breezes.

The future ( not going to help us now) are a combination of HAWT ( horizontal axis wind turbines, what you think of usually) and the slightest less efficient but more compact ( also bird friendly) bladeless (oscillating) turbines new ones can be mounted in backyards on building roofs, parks they just look like a large telephone pole.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

I noticed the Tokyo Tower was dark.

First time I've seen it unlit at night.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

agreed Japan could have done something years ago, mandate that all new homes built to have a minium amount of solar panels installed eg 4kw 6kw etc, solar panel system isnt a big investment compared to the price of a new house

Really have you looked into it?

Oh and do you know how much space in needed for. 4 kw to 6kw in solar panels?

20 to 24 panels or 32m2 to 40m2 may work in the country side but in the cities no! My roof barely meets the 32 m2 and you need to leave space so we checked and the max was 16 panels plus frame etc.. not enough to power the house on its own.

Now explain how it would work for apartment buildings?

Solar is the fairytale child of the environmentalists they look up see the sun and go "free power" that's the solution.

They don't even want to hear about the negative side cost of production both financially and environmental.

They don't want to hear about the low efficiency average 20%.

Solar could help if you live off-grid in the countryside on a large piece of land otherwise wind is far more effective producing far more power using the same space

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

PTownsend

Too bad there are not more entrepreneurs in Japan setting up businesses and working to find ways to help individuals rely less on the grid and big government.

Yeah the guvmmunt is out to getcha innit … with their maintenance of roads and hospitals , who needs em!!

Just so glad this pathological way of thinking is pretty much confined to the US.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

See already made my point, I logically explained why solar is not the solution gave facts and power info as to why and explained clearly that using the same surface area wind produces far far far more electricity.

But the first thing was negative votes.

It doesn't hurt my feelings, it just confirms what I said people don't want to hear facts or truth.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Is it necessary to have a combini on every corner of Tokyo with A/C and lights on 24/7?

It's amazing to think how much power everyone of them must chrew through, how much waste they generate. Would have to be the only city in the world with so much waste.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

They just cut trees in my neighborhood to build new houses. Then no trees around those houses. Traditional Japanese houses were always surrounded by trees which gives a lot of protection against the heat. It is not the case anymore

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Solar (among other solutions) on every roof would provide a decentralised and more resilient power structure for the country. No not all roofs are large enough to be completely energy independent but that isn’t the purpose. The costs need to be reasonable, which they seem to be elsewhere on the planet so I suspect structural causes in Japan, and society needs to subsidise householders to enable legacy properties being upgraded.

Small wind turbines for domestic houses were all the DIY rage in the UK 20 years ago, I looked in to them but they are very dependant in the average wind speed in the location, which even in a windy country like the UK generally is not sufficient for such small turbines to be effective or economic. Reason why you will virtually never see them any more. Large commercial turbines correctly sighted are another matter.

Agree there are many passive means of mitigating the impact of heat, including white reflective walls and roofing not used for solar panels, extensive large tree cover, insulation etc.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Rats to auto correct, sighted = sited!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In Kansai, we are baffled by Tokyoites squealing at a few days straight with temperatures over 35 degrees. How about for weeks on end? You just have no idea.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

LMFAO the problem is TOO MANY PEOPLE in one small area!! TOO many Buildings in one small area!! The only way this problem can be corrected is, population and construction control, which needs to be spread out which would mean less buildings and less people. A cup can on take so much running water until it fills up and runs over once it runs over you have a problem. This is the problem, the only way to eliminate the flow is cut off the water and maintain the levels. Simple logic that is not going to happen in Tokyo because people jobs and homes are there which continue to draw more and more people. They city government is not going to tear down buildings, or plant more trees or limit the amount of people who can work an live in the city. It is what it is!!! An over heated oven!!!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Solar (among other solutions) on every roof would provide a decentralised and more resilient power structure for the country. No not all roofs are large enough to be completely energy independent but that isn’t the purpose. The costs need to be reasonable, which they seem to be elsewhere on the planet so I suspect structural causes in Japan, and society needs to subsidise householders to enable legacy properties being upgraded.

> Small wind turbines for domestic houses were all the DIY rage in the UK 20 years ago, I looked in to them but they are very dependant in the average wind speed in the location,

If you are not in Japan I suggest looking into wind again 20 years ago and today things are very different.

And now bladeless oscillating turbines are available.

Solar again the roof space isn't the only problem.

You need 2 to 5 times the battery reserve compared to wind.

We would have needed to sacrifice a toilet or our the tiny yard space and only green space to put the needed batteries reserves needed.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

You only need battery reserves if you seek to be independent of the grid, otherwise you sell it to the grid and draw on the grid at need. Like I said the purpose is not necessarily to be independent of the grid. If that is your intention fine but it is a totally different conversation to an article on stresses to the grid supply.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

You only need battery reserves if you seek to be independent of the grid, otherwise you sell it to the grid and draw on the grid at need.

Not in Japan anymore.

TEPCO is no longer buying surplus.

Like I said I did all the research.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

With quite a few people working from home, of course power consumption is up with both home A/C running and office A/C running.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Turn off two lights for every three in stores like this and you will solve your power problem

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well the 89% of us who live outside Kanto can breathe a sigh of relief.

Tokyo and environs is all of Japan after all.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well the 89% of us who live outside Kanto

Eh?

Tokyo and environs is all of Japan after all

Better to have a basic knowledge of the population distribution of Japan before commenting.

I lived in Tokyo for 20 years and a short time just outside of it. It isn’t all of Japan but it is the most important.

Best place in Japan by a country mile.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

These skycrapers creates an heat island in Tokyo,the heat reflection off the glass magnify the heat

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Install solar panels wherever possible, paint roofs white, plant as many trees, grasses, vines, etc. as possible on roofs and along buildings, plant more shade producing trees along roads and sidewalks and then don't trim them so they give no shade, turn off unnecessary lights and other things using electricity. These things can help to reduce the use of power, cool buildings and the outside and maybe make it possible to see a little more of the night sky.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Better to start aging Gas power plants than aging Nuclear ones! I have no doubt this "power shortage" has been artificially created to promote restarts of the nuclear power plants. Shame on them!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Apparently, this will be a long hot summer -not exclusively in Japan. Record temperatures proved to be bothersome in France as well. Climate change is very real and very tangible for most people wherever they live.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why don't Japanese like shade trees in the streets? They seem obsessed with either cutting them down or reducing the size to that of a bonsai.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan's electricity grid creaked on Thursday under the strain of Tokyo's hottest June since records began

In 2021, the power outage in Texas caused 4million families to cut off power and water supply, and more than 700 people froze to death. Then in the summer, because of a heat wave arriving ahead of schedule, people turned on the air conditioners one after another, and the power grid in the Lone Star State collapsed again. The power infrastructure is old and can barely operate in normal times. Once extreme weather hits, it goes on strike.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why don't Japanese like shade trees in the streets? 

@Andy: because people might enjoy them too much and then, before you know it, they'll want benches under the trees so they can laze around during the daytime instead of doing their duty as sons and daughters of Nippon:

a) working to help the economy

b) spending money to help the economy

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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