Today, TSCP met with the Working Group for Efficient Equipment which consisted of a professor, a project assistant professor from the Department of Architecture, and several representatives from various Japanese companies (Panasonic, Daikin, and Sanyo).On today's agenda was the discussion about the guidelines for and the renewal of freezers and refrigerators. Representatives from Sanyo presented their wide selection of highly-efficient equipment and a case-study about their freezers and refrigerators. I learned about the PSE Mark (pictured to the left) which stands for Product Safety Electric Appliance and Materials. It is a mandatory mark given to most electrical appliances for homes and businesses.
TSCP was established in 2008 and is in charge of creating guidelines for building design, building operations, and renewing equipment. These measures are consistent with Todai's action plans, TSCP2012 and TSCP2030 (see earlier post).
Some measures mentioned in the general guidelines include:
-the strengthening of window and external wall insulation
-efficient use and control of fluorescent lighting
-reducing the stand-by power for equipment
-the optimization of air-conditioning
But, today's topic was refrigerators and freezers. Laboratory refrigerator/freezers have long working hours regardless of the season. Depending on their size and temperature settings, refrigerators can consume massive amounts of energy. Thus, ensuring the renewal of such equipment follows certain guidelines is very cost-effective (and CO2 reducing).
Here are some targets/specifications for the different types of refrigerators and freezers regarding their power consumption.
Cold Storage (+2 or more ℃): 30% reduction
Freezer (-20 ~ -45 ℃): 10% reduction
Deep Freezer (below -85 ℃): 6% reduction
Daikin representatives' business cards, Sanyo product list, and the guidelinesAt night, Kankyo Sanshiro, the largest environmental student group on campus, held their 1st meeting with TSCP, giving students a chance to learn what TSCP is about and has been up to.
Introduction of sustainability efforts by Professor Hanaki
Students and slides on the TSCP2012 and TSCP2030 action plans
TSCP Staff (left to right): Muira-san & Kawano-san
It's great that the line of communication between faculty, staff, and students are so open (it seems) over there.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it seems a lot of meeting happens in the evening -- is the work day longer?
Keep up the picture-taking by the way, they're great!!
Well, the nighttime meeting was a student event that TSCP attended. The Working Group meeting was in the morning at 10am.
ReplyDeleteOne of the issues University of Tokyo is working on is getting more students involved and aware of sustainability. Sustainability marketing is minimal/non-existent.
When do you leave for Cambridge* by the way?
I leave this upcoming Sunday, June 27th, arriving to Cambridge/starting on Monday, June 28th. : )
ReplyDeleteWhat students are in the student group (i.e. engineers? humanities? etc) -- also, are you speaking exclusively Japanese?
I'm really looking forward to blogging too!