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R744.com Exclusive Interview: TEPCO & EcoCute
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Since 1998, Kazutoshi Kusakari from Tokyo Electric Power Company has been at the forefront of promoting CO2 hot water heaters (EcoCute) in Japan. He comments for R744.com on past and future developments of Ecocute, from both the technical and marketing side.
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2007-12-17
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Mr. Kazutoshi Kusakari is Manager at the Design Center, Center for Home Energy Promotion, Marketing & Customer Relations Department at TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company). He has been a leading force in the market introduction of Ecocute in Japan, the successful CO2-based water heating heat pump.
R744.com: How long have you been working with Eco-Cute? How did it all start?
Kusakari: TEPCO started the joint study on developing Eco-cute with DENSO and the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in autumn 1998. I have been involved in the development ever since.
R744.com: Could you briefly explain the current and future role of TEPCO regarding Ecocute?
Kusakari: Our role is to spread the high-efficient water heater Eco-cute widely. Needless to say, we will to continue to do so in the future. TEPCO will also work with manufacturers to improve the performance and function of Eco-cute.
R744.com: TEPCO has recently launched its Environmental Report 2007 where it commits itself to a voluntary target of 20% annual emission reductions in the period 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels. How important are CO2 heat pumps in achieving this target?
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Kusakari: TEPCO tries to lower its CO2 emissions intensity at both power generation and energy use. So this target does not directly contribute to the spread of Eco-cute. However, the emissions reductions through Eco-cute are substantial: only one unit reduces a household's CO2 emissions by about 650 kg every year.
R744.com: What are the key advantages of Eco-Cute compared with other heating solutions and heat pumps using non-natural alternatives?
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Kusakari: Eco-cute can save about 30% of energy and can reduce about 50% of CO2 emissions compared to conventional combustion type water heaters. The natural refrigerant CO2 has only a very small impact on global warming and it has the merit of making the hot water storage unit smaller due to its ability of heating water up to 90°C.
R744.com: What are the main technical challenges to develop a CO2 Heat Pump capable of satisfying full heating needs for a household?
Kusakari: It is necessary to improve the COP (Coefficient of Performance) of heat pumps, and it is important to decrease the loss of the hot water storage as much as possible by improving the design of the system such as performing optimal water heating.
R744.com: TEPCO has been involved in big campaigns promoting all electric houses, including Eco Cute. How have these campaigns helped communicate to consumers the main features of CO2 Heat Pumps?
Kusakari: Now 80% of those who bought Totally Electrified Houses expect their houses to be “eco-friendly”. Their satisfaction was the result of introducing Eco-cute as an energy saving and environmental protection feature during the campaign.
R744.com: By September 2007, more than 1 million Eco cute units had been sold in Japan. The government has committed itself to a total of 5.2 million units by 2010. How do you see general progress towards this target?
Kusakari: 5.2 million units by 2010 is a very ambitious goal, but we are making steady progress to achieve it. Now, about 90% of all Eco-cute units are installed in detached houses. Therefore, spreading them widely to apartments will be key to achieve the target. Last but not least, replacing conventional combustion type water heaters with Eco-cute will also be crucial.
R744.com: What is TEPCO's contribution to the government target?
Kusakari: TEPCO is working hard to promote the widespread use of CO2 hot water heaters, making business proposals to encourage house builders and developers to adopt Eco-cute. The company is cooperating with manufacturers to expand the market, and facilitate the installation of heat pumps.
R744.com: What are the main lessons from the introduction of CO2 Heat Pumps in Japan that could be applied in other parts of the world?
Kusakari: The key to a widespread use of this technology was that the government understood the necessity of energy savings in the residential sector, and more specifically in the hot water supply area. The government set a demanding goal for its dissemination and started a subsidy program to foster a smooth introduction to the market. The situation may differ from one country to another, but I repeat: understanding that energy savings from domestic hot water supply are needed, is the gateway to adopt CO2 Technology in other world regions.
R744.com: How do you see the prospects of CO2 hot water heat pumps becoming a global solution?
Kusakari: Heat pumps are highly efficient systems, which can generate a lot of heat energy by using only a very small amount of electricity. There still remains the problem of the higher initial cost, but it is a without doubt a strong way to solve the global warming problem.
R744.com: Is TEPCO cooperating with other companies or governments worldwide to promote the use of heat pump systems?
Kusakari: At present, we don’t have a plan for joint campaigns, but we are spreading newest information on Eco-Cute at various international conferences. Next May, we are expecting to report on latest developments at the "9th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2008" in Zürich, Switzerland.
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More information:
 TEPCO Environmental Report 2007 - Eco-Cute on pages 9/11 (1.1 MB)
› TEPCO website
› Read the R744.com Eco Cute Flash News for latest industry updates
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