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13,431,000 Yen (FY1996 4,731,000 Yen)
The purpose of this research was to use case studies to devise a comprehensive method of assessing energy-intensive products used in the household-service sector and energy-conserving technologies for them, as well as to show how to effectively save energy.
We began by analyzing the use of energy in the household-service sector in terms of both macro statistical data and micro product data, and comparing the two types of data. Estimates of per-household energy intensity values generally matched for both micro and macro data. The micro product approach is advantageous in that it is possible to estimate the breakdown for each appliance type, which is necessary to determine for which household-sector products energy consumption should be reduced.
We next performed a case study on beverage vending machines, considered to be one kind of energy-intensive appliance, and analyzed present life cycle energy usage. We proposed to introduce parameters showing the proportions of energy used in processing and assembly in relation to energy for producing materials. The case study was used to examine this method's applicability, and determined the energy consumption entailed by the processes of producing and using vending machines.
In addition, we used estimates based on experimental observations and a model to investigate in detail the present energy consumption of vending machines, and to identify ways of conserving energy and investigate their energy-saving efficacy when used. An energy savings of about 50% per machine seems possible. We also estimated the potential for reducing CO2 emissions by increasing the use of energy-saving vending machines.
Energy, Carbon dioxide, Consumer appliances, Vending machines, Life cycle assessment