No.9 Power Supply and Demand Outlook and Heat Stroke Measures in Inagi City

(Inagi Newsletter July 15, 2012 issue)

This year, the arrival of summer has become more pronounced. With the nuclear power plants halted and the current situation where alternative core power generation is not sufficiently prepared, concerns about the electricity supply and demand outlook continue from last year.
According to Tokyo Electric Power Company's announcement, the supply forecast for July 2012 is 57.86 million kilowatts, and for August, it is 57.71 million kilowatts. On the other hand, the demand forecast for both July and August, in the case of a heat wave (temperatures similar to those in 2010), is 55.20 million kilowatts, and in the normal case, it is 53.60 million kilowatts.
From these figures, the reserve ratio for August 2012 (the safety margin that prevents power outages even if demand exceeds forecasts) is 4.5% in the heat wave case and 7.7% in the normal case. This summer, it is expected that a stable supply of electricity can be secured, and planned power outages can be avoided.
However, this forecast incorporates the effects of energy conservation that everyone has been cooperating with since last year. We continue to request cooperation in energy conservation within reasonable limits.
While it is important to cooperate in such situations, there are concerns that excessive energy conservation may lead to health issues, especially for older adults who spend the daytime at home.
Therefore, Inagi City has decided to set up "cooling spots" as heat stroke prevention shelters in public facilities within the city, continuing from last year.
These will be established in various cultural centers, libraries, the Comprehensive Gymnasium, Welfare Center, and Friendship Center in the city starting from July 1, 2012, so please feel free to use them.
Using air conditioning in a room where many people gather is more efficient and contributes to energy saving overall than cooling a room where one person is alone.
On hot days, why not go out with friends instead of staying cooped up in your room?