University Saves Summer Electricity by Changing Lecture Schedule

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has decided to start its lectures 45 minutes earlier from June 20 to September 30 this year as a measure to save power after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

There is a growing concern in Japan that it will take much longer to adjust power supply and demand than previously expected. With nuclear power plant operations currently suspended, electricity consumption will be limited from 9 am through 8 pm on weekdays between July 1 and September 22 in all service areas of Tokyo Electric Power Company. This regulation is based on Article 27 of the Electricity Business Act. More specifically, large consumers with power contracts of 500 kilowatts or over are required to cut their electricity consumption per hour by at least 15% compared to the summer 2010 peak level.

The university has already taken various measures to save power. It will need to implement greater cuts, however, as electricity demand starts to peak in the summer season. The university has therefore decided to advance the starting time of its lectures by 45 minutes, earlier than the normal 8:45 am. It plans to carry out power-saving measures by setting a reduction target of 20%.

Posted: 2011/08/15 06:00:15 AM