Progress in a range of energy-conserving technologies will move the peak in Japan's energy demand forward by eight years to fiscal 2014, according to a government report made available Saturday.
Such innovations include development of lighter materials used in automobiles, technologies to minimize energy consumption in households and offices, and highly fuel-efficient hybrid cars, according to the report compiled by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
In addition, the agency is taking into consideration the effects of further progress in energy-conserving technologies, such as a fuel-efficient semiconductor material called silicon carbide, as well as a further spread of light-emitting diode-based illumination devices, the report says.