It is not only in France that the words “energy sobriety” have become ubiquitous. Japan and Germany, for example, did not wait for the crisis linked to the war in Ukraine to act. In Japan, the Fukushima disaster forced the authorities to adapt in 2011, while the city of Hamburg, Germany, has been very active on the energy issue for several years.
In Japan, a forced adaptation after the Fukushima accident
Japan was confronted before anyone else with the question of energy sobriety in times of crisis. In 2011, the earthquake, the tsunami in northeast Japan, then the nuclear accident in Fukushima, rendered the region’s nuclear reactors unusable, as well as part of the thermal power stations. The Japanese were therefore subjected to a few scheduled cuts, but to avoid them as much as possible, they forced themselves to save electricity, called “setsuden” in Japanese.
This appeal by the government of the time involved measures that were initially very harsh. To the point that the capital Tokyo was several times plunged into darkness, the nights following the tragedy. In the following months, the authorities adjusted these cuts, minimizing the needs on a continuous basis. Companies have made visible efforts, for example by turning off signs, large screens, or shop windows in the streets. They have switched to LED lighting on a very large scale. This transition also involved the purchase of air conditioners and more energy-efficient equipment.
Individuals have also had to minimize their air conditioning, opt for less greedy household appliances, have better maintenance of appliances or even choose to change their lighting. Efforts that have made it possible to largely meet the objective that was then set to reduce consumption by 15% during the day. This policy was not necessarily continued subsequently, which is regrettable Katsuya Okada, then number two in the ruling party eleven years ago: “Electricity savings should be pursued with the understanding of citizens“, he says today.
“We can also reduce demand structurally by encouraging investment in more economical equipment.”
Katsuya Okadaat franceinfo
Over the years after this period, the Japanese have regained their comfort of life, but also returned to waste. Yet after six years without a “setsuden” campaign, the word is back this year. In question, the non-restart of nuclear reactors and the recent shutdown of several thermal power plants after an earthquake in March or because of their obsolescence.
In Germany, the city of Hamburg promotes green energy
In northern Germany, the city of Hamburg and its 1.9 million inhabitants has been working for several years for the quality of life and the preservation of the environment. Far from the cliché of the gray and sad city, Hamburg, the country’s second city, has made the promotion of green energy its priority and has even received several awards for it.
The best example of this policy is found in the district of Wilhelmsburg, along the Elbe. The old landfill 40 meters high has been rehabilitated. The site now produces clean energy for 4,000 homes. “Access was forbidden and we did not know what to do with this mountain of waste. We turned the problem into a solutionsays Antje Stokma, professor of spatial planning at the University of Hamburg. We exploited the steep slope exposed to the sun to install solar panels and we used the height of the hill, where the wind always blows, to put three wind turbines. These closed places, but also contaminated, there are many in the city and it is an example of redevelopment to make it a green place.”
If Hamburg has so much green fiber, it is also thanks to its inhabitants. In 2019, the 10,000 signatories of a local referendum forced politicians to care more about the environment. This is Malte Siegert, the president of the local branch of Nabu, the main association for the defense of naturewho carried out the project: “We have negotiated that at least 30% of Hamburg’s surface remains green and that 30 additional jobs are created by the authorities to improve nature protection. This hascost very expensive for the city, 5 million euros each year“, he explains.
“It’s a sign that citizens can influence political decisions and it makes them more aware, and I find that great”
Malta Siegertat franceinfo
The black spot in Hamburg remains car traffic, so the city wants to work to limit car use. Dn the new district of Hafen City, 4,000 homes have already been built on the 127 hectares of the former port of Hamburg. The entire site has actually been designed to reduce the space for the car. “We have three new metro stations, we have a very efficient car-sharing system, with 200 to 300 vehicles at all times, it’s as if people had their garagedescribes Susanne Bühler, spokesperson for Hafen City. We have also reduced the number of parking spaces, ie out of 100 accommodations, only 40 have a private parking space. We’re really trying to make it easier for people to give up the car.”
The city of Hamburg is now focusing on the development of the photovoltaic. From next year, every new building will have to be equipped with solar panels. The metropolis will finance 30% of the installation costs.