Chiharu Murakoshi

The evolution of the US energy service company (ESCO) industry: from ESCO to Super ESCO

As the restructuring of the US electric utility industry proceeds, utility companies are expected to be either competing or partnering with Super ESCOs to provide energy-efficiency services and energy to utility customers. In this paper, Super ESCOs and utilities were interviewed to see how these organizations are currently interacting and planning to interact in the future. As part of this investigation, the types of products and services Super ESCOs will be providing in the future and how utility restructuring will affect their business were examined.

International ESCO business opportunities and challenges: a Japanese case study

U.S. energy service companies (ESCOs) are very interested in expanding their businesses outside the U.S. Despite the needs of many countries for ESCO involvement, ESCOs face many challenges (i.e. marketing, financial, institutional, political and cultural impediments). Using Japan as an example, we present (i) impediments to the development of an ESCO industry, (ii) general guidance for helping Japan to develop its own ESCO industry, (iii) specific ESCO development strategies for Japan, and (iv) recommendations to U.S. companies considering joint ventures between U.S. ESCOs and Japanese companies.

The evolution of the US ESCO industry: From ESCO to SuperESCO

As the restructuring of the U.S. electric utility industry proceeds, utility companies are expected to be either competing or partnering with Super ESCOs to provide energy-efficiency services and energy to utility customers. In this paper, Super ESCOs and utilities were interviewed to see how these organizations are currently interacting and planning to interact in the future. As part of this investigation, the types of products and services Super ESCOs will be providing in the future and how utility restructuring will affect their business were examined.

The evolution of the U.S. ESCO industry: Is there a Super ESCO in your life?

Abstract Super ESCOs expect utility restructuring to open the market for competition, yielding a greater need for their services, creating profit opportunities, and allowing them to expand into larger, national companies.

Stand-by Electricity Consumption in Japanese Houses

In recent years as Japanese household electrical appliances have become more multi-functional and high performance, the number of appliances that consume a little electricity even when turned off has grown. There are various reasons for this consumption, such as awaiting signals from a remote control, preserving data in internal memory, and charging batteries.

Changing patterns of air conditioning in Japan

Japanese air conditioning patterns have changed significantly over the past 30 years. The changes can be linked to increasing affluence and the consequent changes Japanese life patterns, but also to changes in the style and content of the Japanese dwelling. The advertising media has contributed to the changes by reshaping perceptions of what it is to be a modern Japanese family.