Working Group for Efficient Equipment and Meeting with Kankyo Sanshiro

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 guidelines

At 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 HanakiStudents and slides on the TSCP2012 and TSCP2030 action plans

TSCP Staff (left to right): Muira-san & Kawano-san

Rechargeable Battery Bicycles

Today, TSCP ended the day with a meeting with Professor Hanaki and representatives from Kankyo Sanshiro, the largest environmental student group on campus. But since the TSCP office is far away from Engineering Building #14, my co-workers and I decided to take motor-assisted bicycles.
Here's a picture of my co-worker with his motorized bicycle. They look like regular bicycles with a battery pack below the seat. When riding on one, it gives you an extra boost of acceleration when you pedal forward. Also notice that in Japan, people don't lock up their bicycles. Here's a closer look at the rechargeable battery that I have placed on top of my bicycle seat. You put in the battery vertically below the seat, lock it with your key, and then turn on the bicycle.
These rentable bicycles are not for students, instead, they are for staff and faculty. Here is the board where you pick up the key, write down your name and department, and pick up a rechargeable battery. However, most of the rentable bicycles are not motorized.