Business Sites:Production: Energy Conservation / Prevention of Global Warming
–Introduction of Natural Energy–
Introducing a new solar power generation system
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The United States/Ricoh Electronics Inc.
After the ceremony, participants went up onto the rooftop to observe the solar power generation system in action.
Ricoh Electronics Inc. (REI, headquarters in Tustin, California), a manufacturing subsidiary in the U.S., has completed the installation of a rooftop solar power generation system which will annually supply up to 10% (about 350,000 kWh) of electricity used by the headquarters facility. Using the system, the company will be able to reduce its CO2 emissions by 98.1 tons and its electricity costs by at least 56,000 dollars per year.
REI is located in sunny Southern California, a highly suitable place for the installation of a solar power generation system, so on the rooftop of the headquarters, about 1,000 panels are now installed. The cost of installation is about 60% covered by incentives offered by the federal and state governments, and the company aims to recoup the remaining cost within six years.
Many people participated in the completion ceremony held on February 9, 2011, including the Mayor of Tustin, Jerry Amante, Consul General Junichi Ihara of the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles, and employees of REI and SPG Solar Inc., which cooperated with REI in the installation of the system. Several of Ricoh’s customers and suppliers also attended the ceremony to celebrate the completion of the installation.
Yoshinori Yamashita, president of REI, received a letter of thanks from Mayor Jerry Amante in commemoration of the completion.
Comment from then President Yoshinori Yamashita of REI
As for the introduction of a solar power generation system in this time of economic stagnation, there were criticisms and objections both within and outside the company. I, however, said to opponents, “This is the right time for us to do it,” for the following three reasons:
(1)Ricoh should show its commitment to the environment as a leading environmental company all the more because it is difficult to do so now.
(2)Because other companies are refraining from making environmental investments, the price of solar panels, the production of which has been increased by manufacturers, is decreasing.
(3)By making investments in the system while the federal and state governments are offering generous subsidies, we can shorten the time required to recover our costs.
For me, the introduction of the system was a very strategic decision for both the environment and our business.
Introducing solar photovoltaic power generation system
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Japan/Ricoh Elemex Corp.
Ricoh Elemex Corp. has introduced a 13.3 kW solar photovoltaic power generation system at its Okazaki Plant (Okazaki-shi, Aichi Prefecture), installing 156 panels on the rooftop in August 2010. This system is capable of generating 14,000 kWh of clean power annually, cutting the equivalent of 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions. In addition, to raise the environmental awareness of employees, a 63-inch LCD monitor installed in the on-site showroom will display related data, including real-time and cumulative electricity output and the amount of CO2 emissions reduced.
Environment-Friendly Employee Cafeteria Building
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JAPAN/Ricoh Numazu Plant, Ricoh Engineering Co., Ltd.
“Eco Terrace”
In cooperation with Ricoh Engineering, the South Plant of Ricoh Numazu Plant has incorporated various environment-friendly designs and facilities into its new employee cafeteria building, construction of which was completed on March 31, 2010. Key eco-friendly features of the new building include:
(1) Photovoltaic system A total of 70 solar panels have been installed, mainly on the top of the terrace awnings, with an estimated annual power generation of up to 11,600 kWh. Employees at the plant can check how much power is being produced by the solar power generators using two monitors. The installation of the photovoltaic system is expected to allow Numazu Plant to reduce its CO2 emissions by approximately four tons per year.
(2) Air conditioning facilities in the kitchen By introducing an air conditioning system that partly uses outside air to cool the cafeteria kitchen during the humid and hot summer season (June to September), the cooling load of the air-conditioner has been reduced by some 35%.
(3) Hot water supply system in the kitchen A heat-pump water heating system that uses natural refrigerant (CO2) was installed in the kitchen.
(4) Natural lighting and green lighting equipment The building is designed to allow natural light to enter the cafeteria, which also possesses highly efficient lighting, such as high-frequency (Hf) fluorescent lights and LED lights. Occupancy sensors are also installed in restrooms and aisles to control the lighting.
(5) High-performing insulation materials Hollow core concrete panels are used for the external walls and the roof to reduce the heat load on the building.
(6) Planting vegetation A lush garden with grasses and seasonal flowers was created and is well kept on the terrace
Construction of environmentally friendly plant
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Thailand/Ricoh Manufacturing (Thailand) Ltd.
Manufacturing area in which natural daylight is used
The production plant of Ricoh Manufacturing (Thailand) Ltd. (RMT), a new manufacturing subsidiary which started operation in September 2009, boasts a number of environmentally friendly designs and facilities in various parts of the building, including in the manufacturing area, the warehouse, the administrative office, and the cafeteria. Examples of the green equipment installed include natural lighting and ventilation systems, a highly efficient air-conditioning system utilizing water-cooling freezers, an insulated roof, heat-reflective glass panels, highly efficient ballast for HF lamps, and occupancy sensors. The annual CO2 emissions reduction is expected to exceed 250 tons.
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