45
Modal shift can contribute to solving such problems in the logistics industry. If
you replace a truck with the railway, you will not have to secure a driver for that
section. If companies dealing in small-lot delivery work together well, it is possible
to secure the benefits of scale that can be felt using railways and ships such as
increasing the loading efficiency of containers and securing cargo on the return trip.
A technology that has emerged that can compensate for shortage of human
resources is automatic driving. Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors announced that they
will jointly develop truck and bus automatic driving systems. They are aiming at
convoy driving consisting of three or more trucks. During the experiment, a driver
will ride on each of the vehicles, but finally, there will be a driver only on the leading
vehicle, and the following vehicles are planned to be unmanned. The vehicles are
not physically connected, but the idea is like that of a one-manned train. This makes
it possible to increase transportation efficiency while reducing personnel expenses.
In addition, if complete automatic operation is realized in the future, the driver
will be released from the obligation to monitor the forward direction, so it will be
possible for the driver to engage in processing vouchers, sales activities, product
planning, etc. inside the vehicle. Speaking of truck drivers, it is said to be a typical
example of physical work, but it may be transformed into creative work as a result
of progress in technology.
3.3 Low Carbon Technologies in the Home and Business
Sectors
3.3.1 Promotion of Energy Saving Is Economically
Advantageous
Where is energy consumed in the household sector? Figure 3.8 shows the percentage of energy consumption by usage in the household. The largest proportion is
power, lighting and others, followed by hot water supply and heating. Power means
energy consumption by electric appliances such as refrigerators. There is no big
difference in this ratio even in the office, so with regard to low carbonization in the
home and business sectors, the key is how much consumption can be reduced in
these large energy consumption sectors.
For example, refrigerators and air conditioners will be replaced with the latest
models with high efficiency, and lighting will be replaced with high efficiency LED
bulbs. With regard to hot water supply, energy waste is reduced by simultaneously
obtaining hot water and electricity through the use of home fuel cell energy farms
and the heat pump electric water heater EcoCute. If heat insulation is installed
firmly on the walls and floors and double glazing with excellent heat insulation
performance is installed for the windows, the heating and cooling efficiency of
houses and buildings will be improved. By doing all that we can do in this way and
expecting future technological innovation, we can reduce the current home energy
3.3 Low Carbon Technologies in the Home and Business Sectors
Modal shift can contribute to solving such problems in the logistics industry. If
you replace a truck with the railway, you will not have to secure a driver for that
section. If companies dealing in small-lot delivery work together well, it is possible
to secure the benefits of scale that can be felt using railways and ships such as
increasing the loading efficiency of containers and securing cargo on the return trip.
A technology that has emerged that can compensate for shortage of human
resources is automatic driving. Isuzu Motors and Hino Motors announced that they
will jointly develop truck and bus automatic driving systems. They are aiming at
convoy driving consisting of three or more trucks. During the experiment, a driver
will ride on each of the vehicles, but finally, there will be a driver only on the leading
vehicle, and the following vehicles are planned to be unmanned. The vehicles are
not physically connected, but the idea is like that of a one-manned train. This makes
it possible to increase transportation efficiency while reducing personnel expenses.
In addition, if complete automatic operation is realized in the future, the driver
will be released from the obligation to monitor the forward direction, so it will be
possible for the driver to engage in processing vouchers, sales activities, product
planning, etc. inside the vehicle. Speaking of truck drivers, it is said to be a typical
example of physical work, but it may be transformed into creative work as a result
of progress in technology.
3.3 Low Carbon Technologies in the Home and Business
Sectors
3.3.1 Promotion of Energy Saving Is Economically
Advantageous
Where is energy consumed in the household sector? Figure 3.8 shows the percentage of energy consumption by usage in the household. The largest proportion is
power, lighting and others, followed by hot water supply and heating. Power means
energy consumption by electric appliances such as refrigerators. There is no big
difference in this ratio even in the office, so with regard to low carbonization in the
home and business sectors, the key is how much consumption can be reduced in
these large energy consumption sectors.
For example, refrigerators and air conditioners will be replaced with the latest
models with high efficiency, and lighting will be replaced with high efficiency LED
bulbs. With regard to hot water supply, energy waste is reduced by simultaneously
obtaining hot water and electricity through the use of home fuel cell energy farms
and the heat pump electric water heater EcoCute. If heat insulation is installed
firmly on the walls and floors and double glazing with excellent heat insulation
performance is installed for the windows, the heating and cooling efficiency of
houses and buildings will be improved. By doing all that we can do in this way and
expecting future technological innovation, we can reduce the current home energy
3.3 Low Carbon Technologies in the Home and Business Sectors