ID :
128747
Sun, 06/20/2010 - 07:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/128747
The shortlink copeid
APEC to pursue low-carbon technologies, promote nuclear power+
FUKUI, Japan, June 19 Kyodo - Energy ministers from Pacific Rim economies agreed Saturday to embark on a project to create low-carbon model cities using energy-efficient technologies and acknowledged controversial nuclear power as an environmentally friendly energy source that should be promoted.
Following the one-day meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in central Japan, which also touched on the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman gave assurances during a press conference that Washington is taking ''all necessary steps to stop the damage.''
Participants also concurred that fossil fuels will continue to play a key role
in the region, which includes such emerging economies as China, and attached
importance to enhancing preparedness for oil supply disruption such as by
collaborating with the International Energy Agency over energy response
workshops and exercises.
The meeting, hosted by this year's APEC chair Japan, took place in Fukui, the
capital of Fukui Prefecture, which accommodates the largest number of
commercial nuclear reactors in Japan. Near the venue of the meeting, dozens of
people protested that nuclear power is not the answer to solving climate
change.
As introducing low-carbon technologies in city planning is essential to
responding to increasing energy consumption in urban areas, APEC said in a
declaration issued after the meeting that they have launched a Low-Carbon Model
Town Project to present ''successful models for coordinated usage'' of the
advanced technologies.
The cities would possibly feature a ''smart grid'' advanced power transmission
network or buildings with facilities for renewable energy generation, with
Japan announcing it will contribute a total of 1 billion yen over the next
three years for feasibility studies.
Ten to 20 locations are expected to be selected for the project. The first such
case is considered in Tianjin, China.
A smart grid, which uses information technology, is an efficient power
transmission network that is expected to encourage the use of renewable energy
such as solar and wind, because it can give stability to the output of
electricity supplied by the fluctuating power sources.
Meanwhile, the declaration stipulated that the deployment of renewable energy
and nuclear energy are among the ''low emission'' power sources that should be
''promoted,'' and encouraged member economies to set individual goals and
action plans for the introduction of such low-emission power sources.
Noting that a growing number of interested economies are using nuclear power to
diversify their energy mix and limit carbon emissions, the declaration referred
to the need to assess the emissions reduction potential of nuclear power in
APEC.
Toward new nuclear power plant construction, the declaration also said ''solid
financial frameworks, as well as cooperation among member economies and with
relevant multilateral organizations'' could be of help.
It is the first time for APEC to clearly stipulate the promotion of building
new nuclear power plants, according to the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry. Some APEC economies have been known for being more focused on the
promotion of renewable energy.
Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, who chaired
the meeting, said later at a joint press conference, ''Considering about
adapting to the environment, the importance of nuclear power generation...is
becoming more significant.''
Japan has been eager to export nuclear power and other infrastructure.
The meeting turned out to be an occasion for the country to lay the groundwork
for promoting business related to nuclear power, although nuclear energy has
often been plagued with safety concerns and problems related to radioactive
waste disposal.
The outcome of the one-day parley would be reflected in the process of
formulating a growth strategy for APEC, which is set to call for more
''sustainable'' economic growth compatible with global efforts to mitigate
climate change.
The growth strategy is expected to be finalized in November when the leaders of
the member economies gather in Yokohama for an annual summit.
The meeting also came in the midst of the U.S. battle against the worst oil
spill in its history, caused by an explosion on a BP Plc rig in April.
During bilateral talks with Poneman, held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting,
Naoshima said Japan is ready to support the United States over the issue.
A Japanese official earlier said Poneman told the ministerial meeting that he
wants to share the experience of the oil spill to prevent a recurrence and that
he thinks it is important general investment in offshore oilfield development
does not see a downturn. But the Japanese official later retracted the remarks
saying that he ''misspoke.''
Cooperation in the area of energy is a key issue for the APEC region, which
makes up about 60 percent of the world's energy demand. The International
Energy Agency forecasts that global energy demand will surge by 40 percent
between 2007 and 2030, largely because of consumption in Asian countries.
==Kyodo
2010-06-20 00:28:54
Following the one-day meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in central Japan, which also touched on the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman gave assurances during a press conference that Washington is taking ''all necessary steps to stop the damage.''
Participants also concurred that fossil fuels will continue to play a key role
in the region, which includes such emerging economies as China, and attached
importance to enhancing preparedness for oil supply disruption such as by
collaborating with the International Energy Agency over energy response
workshops and exercises.
The meeting, hosted by this year's APEC chair Japan, took place in Fukui, the
capital of Fukui Prefecture, which accommodates the largest number of
commercial nuclear reactors in Japan. Near the venue of the meeting, dozens of
people protested that nuclear power is not the answer to solving climate
change.
As introducing low-carbon technologies in city planning is essential to
responding to increasing energy consumption in urban areas, APEC said in a
declaration issued after the meeting that they have launched a Low-Carbon Model
Town Project to present ''successful models for coordinated usage'' of the
advanced technologies.
The cities would possibly feature a ''smart grid'' advanced power transmission
network or buildings with facilities for renewable energy generation, with
Japan announcing it will contribute a total of 1 billion yen over the next
three years for feasibility studies.
Ten to 20 locations are expected to be selected for the project. The first such
case is considered in Tianjin, China.
A smart grid, which uses information technology, is an efficient power
transmission network that is expected to encourage the use of renewable energy
such as solar and wind, because it can give stability to the output of
electricity supplied by the fluctuating power sources.
Meanwhile, the declaration stipulated that the deployment of renewable energy
and nuclear energy are among the ''low emission'' power sources that should be
''promoted,'' and encouraged member economies to set individual goals and
action plans for the introduction of such low-emission power sources.
Noting that a growing number of interested economies are using nuclear power to
diversify their energy mix and limit carbon emissions, the declaration referred
to the need to assess the emissions reduction potential of nuclear power in
APEC.
Toward new nuclear power plant construction, the declaration also said ''solid
financial frameworks, as well as cooperation among member economies and with
relevant multilateral organizations'' could be of help.
It is the first time for APEC to clearly stipulate the promotion of building
new nuclear power plants, according to the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry
Ministry. Some APEC economies have been known for being more focused on the
promotion of renewable energy.
Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, who chaired
the meeting, said later at a joint press conference, ''Considering about
adapting to the environment, the importance of nuclear power generation...is
becoming more significant.''
Japan has been eager to export nuclear power and other infrastructure.
The meeting turned out to be an occasion for the country to lay the groundwork
for promoting business related to nuclear power, although nuclear energy has
often been plagued with safety concerns and problems related to radioactive
waste disposal.
The outcome of the one-day parley would be reflected in the process of
formulating a growth strategy for APEC, which is set to call for more
''sustainable'' economic growth compatible with global efforts to mitigate
climate change.
The growth strategy is expected to be finalized in November when the leaders of
the member economies gather in Yokohama for an annual summit.
The meeting also came in the midst of the U.S. battle against the worst oil
spill in its history, caused by an explosion on a BP Plc rig in April.
During bilateral talks with Poneman, held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting,
Naoshima said Japan is ready to support the United States over the issue.
A Japanese official earlier said Poneman told the ministerial meeting that he
wants to share the experience of the oil spill to prevent a recurrence and that
he thinks it is important general investment in offshore oilfield development
does not see a downturn. But the Japanese official later retracted the remarks
saying that he ''misspoke.''
Cooperation in the area of energy is a key issue for the APEC region, which
makes up about 60 percent of the world's energy demand. The International
Energy Agency forecasts that global energy demand will surge by 40 percent
between 2007 and 2030, largely because of consumption in Asian countries.
==Kyodo
2010-06-20 00:28:54
