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Featured in CSR Report 2007
Note) Contents and Titles as of June 2007
In view of the ever-increasing global demand for energy, the ultimate goal for the global community must be two-track commitment, reliable energy supplies and mitigation of climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Accordingly, countries around the world are working to enhance thermal power generation efficiency and to reduce CO2 emissions. At the same time, energy policies are being reviewed as nuclear power generation, which emits little CO2, is viewed with increasing favor, while there is recognition that renewable energy, such as hydroelectric power, wind power, geothermal power, and solar power could play a much greater role. In response to these trends, Toshiba Group is helping to provide reliable energy supplies and contributing to the mitigation of climate change by fully utilizing its versatile, world-class power generation technologies.
Global energy demand is increasing at such a rate, with the economic expansion of China and India having a notable impact, that by 2030 it is expected to be about 1.5 times the current level. Clearly, under such situation, reliance on conventional power generation technologies would exacerbate global warming as CO2 emissions would continue to increase. Thus, there is an urgent need to find ways of increasing power generation without increasing CO2 emissions.
World Primary Energy Demand Projections
Source: IEA World Energy Outlook 2004
Although thermal power generation using coal, oil, and gas, which is the main-stream technology at present, is suitable for large-scale power generation having the capability of flexibly changing output in line with fluctuating demand, it emits excessive CO2. On the other hand, while solar power generation and wind power generation do not emit CO2, large-scale power generation based on these technologies is impracticable because of their poor cost effectiveness and the modest output. Nuclear power generation is suitable for large-scale power generation with little CO2 emission, but every possible attention needs to be paid.
World Primary Energy Demand for Power Generation (by Fuel)
Source: IEA World Energy Outlook 2006
CO2 Emissions by Type of Plant
Note: Total figures may not equal the sum of breakdown figures due to rounding.
Source: Report of the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
Every power generation method has advantages and disadvantages. So, establishment of the best energy mix where various types of energy sources are used in a well balanced, integrated manner - making use of their respective advantages and compensating for their respective disadvantages - is effective for meeting increasing energy demand while reducing CO2 emissions.
As a manufacturer offering a range of power generation systems, Toshiba Group intends to take the initiative in achieving the best energy mix. To this end, our R&D focuses on enhancement of thermal power generation efficiency, promotion of utilization of renewable energy, and promotion of safe nuclear power generation. We are also promoting efficient utilization of waste heat from distributed power systems such as fuel cells at the point of demand. For example, we have successfully demonstrated by experiments a system enabling use of waste heat from a residential fuel cell for hot water supply and a chemically recuperated power generation system, for reforming fuel to hydrogen-rich fuel by mixing it with steam and for recovering waste heat. Development of power generation systems using biomass, wind power and other renewable energy is also underway.
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