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AFP represents year-round energy efficiency of air conditioners, that is, the cooling or heating capacity of consuming the equivalent of 1 kw of electricity or gas, under specified conditions throughout the year. APF = Total of annual cooling and heating capacity (kWh)/Amount of annual energy consumption (kWh)
Biogas is a combustible gas derived by methane fermentation of anaerobic microorganisms in organic waste such as raw garbage, livestock manure and sewage sludge. The principal components of biogas are methane and carbon dioxide. Because it is an unused renewable energy source, the efficient use of biogas is expected to make a contribution to mitigating global warming.
Carbon offset is the concept of offsetting CO2 or other greenhouse gas emissions from homes or businesses by investing in projects such as afforestation, forest conservation and clean energy businesses that reduce greenhouse gases. In carbon offset products, an amount is added to the price and this added amount is donated to greenhouse gas reduction projects. By purchasing such products, consumers can indirectly contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.
An arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol in which developed countries support developing countries with technologies or investment that contribute to greenhouse gas reduction, and a portion of the reduction is counted as reduction by the developed countries. Defined under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol.
Osaka Gas liquefies natural gas in producing countries and imports it as liquefied natural gas (LNG). This LNG is a liquid with a temperature of -160oC and when it vaporizes back to natural gas it absorbs heat from the surroundings giving it cooling properties (cryogenic energy). This energy is equivalent to about 240 kWh of electricity per ton of LNG. Recovering this as kinetic energy and using it for power generation is referred to as cryogenic power generation. In 1979, Osaka Gas began operation of the world’s first cryogenic power generation facility, and currently runs them at Senboku LNG Terminal and Himeji LNG Terminal. Enough power is generated to supply around 40% of the electricity consumed at the facilities.
A specific area in which living organisms and the surrounding non-living organisms interact.
“Environmental management” is a term meaning that a company works towards environmental protection by establishing environmental policies and voluntary targets, as well as systems and procedures to implement the policies and achieve the targets.
The system and procedures for this are collectively called the EMS.
The earth, sand, and asphalt that are dug up in construction when gas pipes (see below) are being constructed under roads or when gas pipes are being moved.
The network of pipelines (see below) that deliver gas to customers.
After natural gas is pumped under high pressure from Osaka Gas LNG terminals, regulators convert the pressure to medium and then to low along the network. The gas is delivered to customers under low pressure.
Guidelines established by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) that set out the philosophy and rules for calculating greenhouse gas emission and reduction amounts.
A facility that provides hydrogen to vehicles running on fuel cells.
Hydrogen is a super-clean energy since it emits no CO2, a greenhouse gas, during combustion. Osaka Gas utilizes the technology it has built up in order to increase the number of hydrogen filling stations.
An independent power producer (IPP) is a private entity that generates electricity for sale to power companies. Under revisions to Japan’s Electricity Utilities Industry Act in 1995, such IPPs can take part in competitive bidding with power companies.
The main component of natural gas. Major sources of methane include final disposal of organic waste, swamp bottoms, bodily waste from livestock, and the anaerobic breakdown process of sewage sludge. Methane is one of the six greenhouse gases marked for emission reduction under the Kyoto Protocol. The six greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
An energy-efficient system that runs on natural gas and other fuels, generating the power and heat needed by homes and business locations, and using the waste heat from the system to heat or cool the air, or to heat water. Electricity is generated by kinetic energy from gas engines and gas turbines, and by fuel cells, which react hydrogen and oxygen chemically. Two types of energy, electricity and heat, are generated from these systems fueled by single energy source.
A system of continuous fixed, above-ground or below-ground pipes that transport gas to its destination.
Polyethylene gas pipes used for underground installation. They have excellent corrosion resistant and earthquake proof properties.
All new gas pipes installed by Osaka Gas are polyethylene pipes.
There are several types of fuel cell, divided by the type of electrolyte.
A PEFC uses a polymer film as the electrolyte. Hydrogen is ionized and the hydrogen ions pass through the electrolyte, reacting with oxygen and generating electricity.
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are principles launched in 2006 by the UN Secretary General at the time, Kofi Annan. They were established through a joint collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the United Nations Global Compact to ensure institutional investors take environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into account in investment decisions.
Natural energy sources that can be used over and over, such as solar power, wind power, hydropower, wave power, and geothermal power, as well as bodily waste from livestock, wood scraps, and plant-based biomass (organic resources).
A method of placing pipes shallow underground. Like the Vermeer method (see below), this method reduces the amount of excavated soil (see above) generated when burying gas pipes.
A method of placing pipes shallow underground. Like the Vermeer method (see below), this method reduces the amount of excavated soil (see above) generated when burying gas pipes.
A general term to describe business activities designed to address various social issues such as environmental and poverty issues or declining birthrates and aging societies.
A fuel cell using ceramic as the electrolyte. SOFCs have a higher power generating efficiency (45%) and are more compact than the currently used PEFCs (see above). The oxygen is ionized and the oxygen ions pass through the electrolyte, reacting with hydrogen and generating electricity. A unique feature of SOFCs is that they can use carbon monoxide (CO) as well as hydrogen.
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