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Effects of nuclear power plant shutdowns on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions after the Tohoku Earthquake

Author

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  • Cho, Seong-Hoon
  • Tanaka, Katsuya
  • Wu, Junjie
  • Robert, Roland K.
  • Kim, Taeyoung

Abstract

This study analyzes how the substitution of fossil fuels for nuclear power due to the shutdown of nuclear power plants after the Tohoku Earthquake affects electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Japan. Results indicate that Japan generated 4.3 million metric tons (or 0.3%, with a 95% confidence interval) of additional CO2 emissions in 2011 following the earthquake. The increase in CO2 emissions stemmed from the combined effects of decreased electricity consumption due to energy conservation efforts and the substitution of fossil fuels for nuclear power following the Tohoku Earthquake. Results also show considerable spatial variation in the impacts of the earthquake on net CO2 emissions. A majority of the prefectures (40 of 47 prefectures, or 85%) were predicted to experience higher CO2 emissions after the Tohoku Earthquake while the remaining (7 prefectures) were predicted to experience lower CO2 emissions. Our findings suggest that Japan and countries under similar risks may want to reformulate energy policy by emphasizing utilization of diverse power and energy sources, including more renewable energy production and electricity conservation. The policy reform should also consider spatial variation in the combined effects of reduced reliance on nuclear power and increased CO2 conversion factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Cho, Seong-Hoon & Tanaka, Katsuya & Wu, Junjie & Robert, Roland K. & Kim, Taeyoung, 2016. "Effects of nuclear power plant shutdowns on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions after the Tohoku Earthquake," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 223-233.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:55:y:2016:i:c:p:223-233
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2016.01.014
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ekundayo P. Mesagan & Wakeel A. Isola & Kazeem B. Ajide, 2019. "The capital investment channel of environmental improvement: evidence from BRICS," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1561-1582, August.
    2. Keita Honjo & Hiroto Shiraki & Shuichi Ashina, 2018. "Dynamic linear modeling of monthly electricity demand in Japan: Time variation of electricity conservation effect," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Yin, Zhichao & Yan, Yu & Chen, Xirong & Liu, Taixing, 2022. "Earthquake and household energy consumption – Evidence from the Wenchuan earthquake in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    4. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Ho, Shan-Ju & Wu, Ting-Pin, 2021. "The impact of natural disaster on energy consumption: International evidence," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    5. Hsiao, Cody Yu-Ling & Chen, Hsing Hung, 2018. "The contagious effects on economic development after resuming construction policy for nuclear power plants in Coastal China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 291-302.
    6. Kaneko, Nanae & Fujimoto, Yu & Kabe, Satoshi & Hayashida, Motonari & Hayashi, Yasuhiro, 2020. "Sparse modeling approach for identifying the dominant factors affecting situation-dependent hourly electricity demand," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    7. Honma, Satoshi & Ushifusa, Yoshiaki & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Okamura, Soyoka & Vandercammee, Lilu, 2024. "Environmental efficiency of Japanese regions before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake," MPRA Paper 120945, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Yuyama, Ayumi & Kajitani, Yoshio & Shoji, Gaku, 2018. "Simulation of operational reliability of thermal power plants during a power crisis: Are we underestimating power shortage risk?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 901-913.
    9. Irwin, Nicholas B. & McCoy, Shawn J. & McDonough, Ian K., 2021. "Water in the time of corona(virus): The effect of stay-at-home orders on water demand in the desert," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Electricity consumption; Fuel substitution; Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Tohoku Earthquake;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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