MLIT to enhance energy conservation measures for buildings
On October 4th, the panel of experts of MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) began discussion on the measures to enhance energy conservation for housing and buildings. The panel of experts pointed out that as the measures considering the gradual increase of strictness in energy conservation standards, provision with the information of the estimated additional costs, which is necessary for the standards compliance. The panel of experts also suggested that the tax incentives for promoting ZEB/ZEH (Zero Energy Building / Zero Energy House) should be taken into account. The panel of experts aim to summarize the plan next January.
The discussions started at the joint meeting consisting of the Building Environment Committee and the Building Standards Committee of the Building Subcommittee(chairman: Dr. Seiichi Fukao, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Metropolitan University) of the Panel on Infrastructure Development( advisory body of the MLIT). The detailed energy conservation measures for housing and buildings will be taken based on the discussions at the “Study Group on Future of the Energy Conservation Measures for Housing and Buildings toward Decarbonized Society”(Chairperson: Shinichi Tanabe, Professor at Waseda University) which has been held since April this year.
The committee also discussed the promotion for use of renewable energy including solar power generation. Some cases were listed where electricity from renewable energy is over supplied and not used in some regions. It stated that local production for local consumption of electricity is desirable which requires equipment such as storage batteries. The committee called for a comprehensive discussion on a subsidy system for facility maintenance and consideration of incentives.
As for the promotion of energy conservation improvement for existing stock , the committee requested the presentation of improvement cases as a model to encourage users to take action. There were opinions calling for simplification of procedures such as subsidies.