JCMA Advances Conductor Size-Up Project for High Efficient CO2 Emission

Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association (JCMA) will advance the project to replace indoor power cables to thicker conductor cables along next 3 policies: to recommend replacement of thinner power cables, to encourage replacement in steel and chemical plants, and to combine cable replacement with renewable energy sources. Along these policies, JCMA aims more efficient reduction of CO2 emission and implements demonstrations in Japanese major cable makers’ plants.

This project targets to reduce current loss and CO2 emission by replacement of low voltage power cables inside newly built plants and buildings to thicker conductor cables. The full replacement could contribute to reduction of Japanese total CO2 emission by 0.7%.

Recent calculation suggests cost performance would represent higher in replacement of thinner cables with copper cross section of 8-22 square millimeters. More conductor size up is needed than thicker cables while initial cost becomes smaller. In addition, depreciation period is estimated at 3-6 years for thin cables while 11-12 years for middle and thick cables.

In steel and chemical plants, load current and operation rate are relatively large. Thus cable replacement is expected to show higher effects. JCMA tries to list indoor low voltage power cables in designated items of Japanese Energy Saving Act in order to encourage cable replacement in these industries.

As to connection with renewable energy sources, JCMA eyes to use thicker cables for solar cells and other natural energy sources.