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Kansai Electric Power has adopted comprehensive e�orts to protect the environment of local communities, speci�cally by addressing air pollution, water contamination, asbestos contamination, and maintenance of biodiversity. We also take appropriate measures to prevent chemical substances from harming people and the environment.
Promotion of community environmental protection measures
Local environmental protection measures
01
Air pollution prevention measures Reducing sulfur oxide emissions (SOx)
Reducing nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx)
Eliminating soot particles
Monitoring/measuring environmental impact
Emergency response
Chemical substance control PRTR
Dioxins
Soil and groundwater contamination
Asbestos
Noise and vibration prevention
Bad odor prevention
Water pollution control In-plant wastewater measures
Heated e�uent measures
Preventing oil leakages
Our environmental initiatives
A�orestation
Power facility landscape integration
The protection of nature
E�ective utilization of heated e�uent
Harmony with the local environment
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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At our power plants, we undertake measures based on laws, local regulations, environmental protection agreements and other rules to reduce air pollution, water contamination, noise, vibrations, and other problems. In addition, we monitor and measure the air and ocean around our power plants and carefully evaluate the environmental e�ects of our operations on the regional environment to ensure that no problems occur.
Environmental protection measures at power plants
Environmental measures adopted at thermal power stations
Loading arm
Nitrogen scrubber
Deep water intake
Oil fence
Removal of sulfur oxides
Noise prevention
Drainage treatment
Low-sulfur fuel
Heated water discharge measuresA�orestation
Heated water discharge measures
Removal of soot particles
Removal of nitrogen oxides
Underwater release
Oil leakage prevention
Ground-level density reduction measures
Switching device
Main transformer
Condenser
Boiler
Steam turbine
Generator
Green space
Centralized high smokestacks
Sulfur scrubber Electrostatic
precipitator
Heavy oil tank
General wastewater treatment equipment
02
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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Sulfur oxides (SOx) are formed when sulfur from burning fuel combines with oxygen in the air. To reduce the volume of SOx emissions from our thermal power stations, measures we employ include the use of low-sulfur fuels and sulfur scrubbers that remove SOx from smoke.
KEPCO uses low-sulfur heavy oil, low-sulfur crude oil, and clean LNG that contains no sulfur as fuels. The combined use of the above three fuels in FY2015 totaled an equivalent in heavy oil of 14.97 million kL, about 85% of fuel for thermal power generation (in heavy oil).
Reducing sulfur oxide emissions
Air pollution prevention measures
Low-sulfur fuels
Since the 1960s we have actively engaged in R&D on sulfur scrubbers and their applications for removing SOx from smoke. As of the end of FY2015, we have eight units in operation, the equivalent of 4.95 million-kW. The expanded use of low-sulfur fuels has also contributed greatly to reductions in SOx emissions.
Japan's SOx emissions per unit of thermal power generated are signi�cantly lower than �gures for the major countries of Europe and North America (the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy) at 0.1 g/kWh. And KEPCO's values are low in comparison to other power providers in Japan.
Sulfur scrubbers
Thermal power generation and SOx emissions
SOx emissions (10,000 tons)(GWh)
(FY)
Thermal power generated
03
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
0.47
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are formed when nitrogen from burning fuel combines with oxygen in the air. The higher the combustion temperature the more is released. To reduce the volume of NOx emissions from our thermal power stations, measures we employ include improving combustion methods and using nitrogen scrubbers that remove NOx from smoke.
We employ three speci�c methods to improve fuel combustion and reduce NOx: (1) two-stage combustion; (2) exhaust gas mixed combustion; and (3) low-NOx burners. We have modi�ed our boilers to be able to handle both two-stage combustion and exhaust gas mixed combustion, while also installing low-NOx burners to further reduce NOx emissions.
Reducing nitrogen oxide emissions
Improving combustion methods
Since the 1970s we have actively engaged in R&D on and applications for nitrogen scrubbers to remove NOx. As of the end of FY2015 from smoke, we have 38 units in operation, the equivalent of 18.02 million-kW. Improvements in combustion methods and the use of low-nitrogen fuels have also contributed greatly to reductions in NOx emissions.
Nitrogen scrubbers
Low-nitrogen combustion
SOx emissions per unit of thermal power generated for major countries and Kansai Electric Power
U.S. Canada U.K. France Germany Italy Japan Japan KEPCO
(FY)
(g/kWh)
Source:Overseas Emission amounts: OECD.StatExtracts; complete databases available via OECD's iLibrary Electric power generated: IEA, Energy Balances of OECD Countries 2014 EditionJapan Federation of Electrical Power Companies of Japan (10 electric power companies and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.)
We use clean LNG, a low-nitrogen fuel. In FY2015, we used a heavy-oil equivalent of 11.42 million kL in LNG−approximately 64% of the fuel used for generating thermal power.
04
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
12
1.1
2.4
1.0
2.0
0.7
0.3 0.2 0.1 0.055
12 12 12 12 12 12 15 15
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0.74
86,631
NOx emissions per unit of thermal power generated for major countries and Kansai Electric Power
Japan's NOx emissions per unit of thermal power generated are signi�cantly lower than �gures for the major countries of Europe and North America (the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy) at 0.2 g/kWh. And KEPCO's values are low in comparison to other power providers in Japan.
Thermal power generated and NOx emissions
All boilers burning heavy oil, crude oil, and coal as fuel are �tted with high-performance electrostatic precipitator to rigorously minimize soot particles.
Measures to reduce soot particles
Source:Overseas Emission amounts: OECD.StatExtracts; complete databases available via OECD's iLibrary Electric power generated: IEA, Energy Balances of OECD Countries 2014 EditionJapan Federation of Electrical Power Companies of Japan (10 electric power companies and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.)
NOx emissions (10,000 tons)(GWh)
Thermal power generated
(FY)
05
U.S. Canada U.K. France Germany Italy Japan Japan KEPCO
(FY)
(g/kWh)
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
0.6
1.4 1.3
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.2 0.20.085
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 15 15
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The wastewater from our power plants is treated thoroughly using many types of equipment. At our thermal power stations we use an oil-catching embankment and loading arm, plus an oil fence to prevent any possibility of an oil leakage. Also, seawater (heated e�uent) used for cooling at power stations is cooled to below 7℃ warmer than the surrounding sea before release. The water intake/discharge port positioning and system are designed so that the water intake and discharged water do not disturb marine wildlife.
Measures to prevent water pollution
Any equipment at our power stations and substations that run the risk of creating noise and vibration are set up indoors or as far from the boundaries of the property as possible, or are �tted with mu�ers. We may also build soundproo�ng walls to control noise and vibration.
Measures to prevent noise and vibration
Water pollution control, noise and vibration prevention
The injection of ammonia used in the nitrogen scrubber and electrostatic precipitator is maintained constantly at proper levels by an automatic controller. The concentration of ammonia in exhaust gas is kept low and periodically measured to prevent the release of bad odors.
Bad odor prevention
Bad odor prevention
KEPCO has created "Guidelines Pertaining to the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law," which we follow to ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to measures for controlling soil contamination. At our power stations we are prepared for the unlikely event of a leakage of chemicals or fuel such as heavy oil or crude oil. We have set up structures such as embankments to catch liquids or oil, and have other measures in place to prevent soil contamination.
Measures to prevent soil and groundwater contamination
Based on our "Guidelines Pertaining to the Management of PRTR-Designated Chemical Substances" we stringently manage toxic chemicals and take measures to reduce their use. Also, based on Japan's PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) Law, we submit reports to the government on amounts of emissions and transfers of chemical substances, and periodically issue public reports.
Management of chemical substances
Chemical substance control
Kansai Electric Power periodically monitors the condition of buildings and facilities identi�ed as containing asbestos and manages them appropriately. We continue to implement carefully planned measures to remove this asbestos and replace it with alternative materials. We will continue to address this issue in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Addressing the issue of asbestos
06
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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Scope of use (buildings and facilities) of asbestos (at March 31, 2016)
Items targeted Type of use Present conditions (usage)
Blown-in materials containing asbestos
Acoustic insulation, thermal insulation, and �reproo�ng materials in company buildings; acoustic insulation for transformers
●Company buildings 339 buildings (about 5% of total)
●Acoustic insulation for transformers 47 units (about 1% of total)
Asbestos- containing products
Fireproo�ng panels, roo�ng materials, �ooring for buildings, etc.
Building materials
●Company buildings May include building materials used before August 2006
Duct lining for underground lines (transmission, distribution, and communications facilities)
Asbestos- cement pipes
● Transmission ducts Approx. 671 km (route length) (about 43% of total length)
Power generation facilities (thermal power facility, nuclear power facility)
Thermal insulation
● Remaining products containing asbestos
Thermal power Approx. 81,300 m3 (about 23% of total)
Nuclear power Approx. 2,500 m3 (about 25% of total)
Power generation facilities (thermal power facility, nuclear power facility)
Sealing materials, gaskets
● Sealing materials (remaining products containing asbestos)
Thermal power Approx. 33,000 (about 29% of total)
Nuclear power Approx. 9,000 (about 5% of total)
Suspension insulators for transmission facilities and the like
Bu�ers
● Transmission facilities Approx. 590,000 (about 12% of total)
●Distribution facilities Approx. 700 (about 1% of total)
Electric wire for overhead transmission lines, hydroelectric dams
Thickeners
● Transmission facilities Approx. 140 km (distance) (about 1% of total length)
● Part of asphalt-surface impervious wall for dam structure 1 facility (Tataragi Dam)
●Gaskets (remaining products containing asbestos)
Thermal power Approx. 4,400 (about 10% of total)
Nuclear power Approx. 29,000 (about 16% of total)
●Distribution ducts Approx. 744 km (route length) (about 6% of total length)
●Communications ducts Approx. 3 km (route length) (about 9% of total length)
07
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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In building and maintaining our power facilities, we cooperate with local town planning and regional development planning. We are careful to employ facility design that enables buildings to blend into the town or landscape and preserve the scenery, thereby maintaining harmony with the environment.
KEPCO works with local communities on many initiatives to ensure that our business activities are in harmony with the local environment.
Power facility landscape integration
Harmony with the local environment
KEPCO strives to maintain harmony with the surrounding environment when building power plant facilities. In particular, approximately 75% of all coastline area within our jurisdiction is designated as national or prefectural natural park land, and since we often have to locate a power plant within these park boundaries, we carry out surveys prior to building that examine landscape elements, and we decide on the most e�ective measures to take with guidance from experts.For the Nanko Power Station, we were called upon to create a smokestack with a modern shape be�tting an urban-based thermal power plant. We were able to respond with Japan's �rst stack designed as a monument-like tower.At the Sakaiko Power Station, when doing facility renovation we chose colors for the main facilities that would harmonize with the surrounding natural environment, a landscape integration concept based on a pine forest motif like the trees found on the power station's grounds and at Hamadera Park.
Power stations integrated with the surrounding environment
Nanko sky tower (smokestack at Nanko Power Station)
Color-conscious design to blend in with surrounding natural environment (Sakaiko Power Station)
08
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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We aim to minimize impact on the environment to maintain an integrated landscape not only in places with high social value such as the above-mentioned natural parks and places of scenic beauty, but also in residential areas where people live. Toward this end KEPCO uses minimally designed power structures. With regard to locations designated by the Natural Parks Law, the Nature Conservation Law, and other laws and regulations, we take care to preserve the natural landscape, �ora, and precious plants and animals. Also, in cooperation with local communities we take living environments and land usage into consideration and strive to protect cultural assets and historical landscapes. We gather information on development plans and the like in various regions, and conduct detailed environmental impact studies as necessary. In all of these way we aim to build and maintain facilities that are able to win the understanding of people in government and local communities.Speci�c examples of the environmental measures we take include using dark colors, such as a dark brown for the steel towers in natural parks, scenic zones, and such areas, or low-re�ection wires.
Minimal-design overhead transmission lines
The movement to eliminate utility poles and bury electrical wiring underground is being planned and implemented primarily by the road authorities (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and local governments). KEPCO actively cooperates with such projects as the company performing such installations. We will proceed with work to bury power lines underground while gaining the understanding and cooperation of the residents of each area.Aware of the public nature of this endeavor, we will carry out underground conversion with a priority on city center areas that have high foot tra�c, historical streets that call for preservation, emergency transportation roads for evacuation and rescue in a major disaster, and other types of locations.
Conversion to underground distribution lines
Examples of streets with underground utilities
Minimal-design steel tower that blends into the natural environment
09
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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We are planting trees on large-scale industrial sites such as power plants using an ecological revegetation method to create natural woodlands that grow into mature forests in a short period of time. The process involves selecting nursery stock of suitable local tree species and the dense planting of mixed varieties of saplings that can grow quickly into a mature, natural forest. KEPCO �rst introduced the method in 1977 at the Tanagawa No. 2 Power Station and has since successfully created a large number of natural woodlands through ecological revegetation at our power plant sites.
Also, we strive to protect the ecosystem endemic to each region by exterminating invasive species in these wooded tracts, thereby preserving biodiversity. In the vicinity of the Nanko Power Station, for example, located in the city of Osaka, there are no natural forests. Because there is little available supply of seeds from outside the area, we have planted an additional 1,168 plants in 66 species in an e�ort to increase the diversity of seeds for tree planting.
Creating natural woodlands (ecological revegetation)
Conservation of biodiversity
Natural woodlands created through ecological revegetation at KEPCO
● KEPCO has approximately 77 million square meters of wooded land (about 29 times the size of Osaka Expo Park), including our natural woodlands.
Revegetation area: approx. 15 Koshien baseball stadiums (about 600,000 m2)
KEPCO service area
Ecological revegetation at Gobo Power Station
Bird's-eye view of Gobo Power Station
The trees are over 10 meters tall in the wooded area, which makes up one-fourth of the land area of the power station
Abundant woodlands have grown at many of our business locations, creating homes for wild birds, insects and small animals.
Bull-headed shrike Japanese bush warbler
Miyazu Energy Research Center
Maizuru Power Station
Ako Power Station
Ohi Power Station
Nanko Power Station
Tanagawa No. 2 Power Station
Gobo Power Station
Aioi Power StationHimeji No. 1 Power Station
Himeji No. 2 Power Station
Ecological revegetation at Ako Power Station
September 1987
October 2007
10
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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The oriental white stork, listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2013), is designated as a special natural treasure in Japan. It is being arti�cially bred in the city of Toyooka, Hyogo, and released into the wild. To prevent the birds from striking electric wires and getting injured, we add colored bands to the transmission wires in this area to increase their visibility to the stork. Also, the storks will build nests atop utility poles and steel towers. Because of the dangers of transmission wire damage and the storks receiving a fatal electric shock, we work with the University of Hyogo and the Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork to remove the nests quickly and take measures to prevent them from perching on the utility poles. In these ways, we can both protect the wild storks and maintain the safety and the stability of the power supply.
Transmission wire measures to protect birds
Power lines with colored bands
Storks nesting atop a utility pole
A trolley bus runs along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Nagano and Toyama prefectures. The trolley bus is not an ordinary gasoline-powered bus, but runs on an electric motor, so it emits no exhaust. It also runs very quietly, so the sound will rarely startle animals. Kurobe Dam, which is situated in a national park, receives one million visitors annually. Since it is possible that the seeds of invasive plant species not found in the Kurobe area can be carried in through the mud on the soles of visitors shoes, a seed-removing �oor mat has been installed at the ticket gate at Ogisawa Station, the Nagano-side trolley station. The removed seeds are vacuumed up and burned.
Protecting native species in Kurobe Dam Environs
Trolley bus
Seed-removing �oor mat
11
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures
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We strive to create biotopes (natural woodlands and ponds) on the grounds of our power plants where dragon�ies, �re�ies, and other insects can thrive. The Okutataragi Power Station biotopes in Hyogo Prefecture provide a valuable breeding ground for the forest green tree frog, a species listed as endangered on the Red List of Hyogo Prefecture (2003). This year again frogs have been con�rmed to be inhabiting the areas.
Biotopes
Forest green tree frog (Rhacophorus arboreus)
Okutataragi Power Station, Asago, Hyogo
12
Promotion of community environmental protection
measures