About us > CSR Activities > Environmental Efforts > Global Environment Contributions > Energy Saving Activities
Energy Saving Activities
As a result of our CO2 reduction efforts toward the achievement of the Kyoto Protocol target (6% reduction from 1990) through the implementation of measures pursuant to our Second Environmental Action Plan, KYOCERA Document Solutions Headquarters and its production-related business offices in Japan have successfully achieved a 12.3% reduction in CO2 emissions by the end of FY2010, a figure way beyond the original target.This achievement is attributable to the accumulation of steady PDCA-based improvement efforts through the aggressive target setting of respective business units. We will continue to promote our environmental activities pursuant to the Third Action Plan from now on. Our Group Companies and its production-related business offices in overseas will also address the environmental impact reduction based on the situation of each country.
VOICE: Having experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake
It occurred at 2:46 p.m. on March 11. At first, I thought the quake would cease after a short while. But quakes occurred many times over a long time. It was 4:30 p.m. when we at the Tokyo R&D Center were ultimately instructed to leave office to go home, and then the office was closed. The Pacific coastal areas in the Tohoku region received unprecedented levels of damage, with the devastating tsunami reaching even urban districts.
Although the Tokyo R&D Center escaped severe damage, we had to go through an enormous amount of post-incident works, including cleaning and everyday electricity-saving challenges.
- Shortly after the quake, we had to start cleaning floors, clearing away broken glass, etc.
- We had to secure computer servers and packaged air conditioning systems so that they wouldn't fall over.
- We examined walls, etc., to find any damage.
- Administrative measures have been introduced to ensure safety and comfort for the employees.
- We implemented improvements to our electricity receipt/transformation facilities to avoid shutdown of our computer servers at the time of power failure/cut.
- We set the goal of reducing peak-hour power consumption by 15% in accordance with the energy-saving measures of the national government.
Akira Noguchi General Affairs Section Tokyo R&D Center
We particularly emphasize power-saving measures, and we had to make a comprehensive investigation on the status of electricity consumption in all facilities and buildings on our premises and determine power-saving opportunities that could be practically materialized without interfering with employees' activities. In cooperation with the CSR Promotion Department of the headquarters and the Tokyo Yoga Office, we are still working hard to implement energy-saving measures, keeping our eyes on electric demand meters.
We still have many things remaining to be done to ensure the smooth operation of our offices. We will continue to work hard to achieve restoration as soon as possible.
The toner production line at our Tamaki Plant uses compressed air to transfer toner powders from process to process through a pipe. To supply this compressed air, we use many turbo blowers (air blowers). Our previous turbo blowers of the conventional type required a consistent amount of electricity at all times regardless of the load. We have replaced these conventional models with energy-efficient "Roots blowers," which can adjust power consumption depending on the load. (We introduced five Roots blowers in FY2010.)
Through the introduction of an inverter system for the engine, the air control system interlocked with load fluctuations now requires much less electricity. As a result, CO2 emissions have dropped by 464.4 tons-CO2 equivalent per year since the introduction of the Roots blower. (Emission factor: 0.470 kg-CO2/kWh)
Roots blower newly installed for the No.7 primary crusher and crushers No.1 and No.2
The municipal government of Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, has been encouraging its citizens to participate in the "green curtain" campaign by growing vining plants as an easy way to enjoy a "cool" summer as part of efforts to stop global warming. Every year, the "Green Curtain Competition" is held by the government to promote the campaign, and various "green curtain" efforts of Hirakata citizens are introduced to the public through the government website.
Our Hirakata Plant, approving of the aim of this campaign, planted bitter gourds on the south-facing outer walls of its cafeteria in spring in FY2010. With a desire to attain a Plant-wide commitment to this gourd growing project, we asked employees, who had decided to participate as an individual or as a team, to water the plants in their assigned zone, make the vines entwine properly, top terminal buds, and harvest grown gourds.
Prior to the creation of the green curtain, the windows of the cafeteria were closed to block sun rays. However, now we can open the windows and enjoy sunlight because we do not have to use an air conditioner. Our "green curtain" project, which made an entry for the Green Curtain Competition, was introduced on the Hirakata City website.
In April 2008, KYOCERA Document Solutions Europe, Germany and Belgium replaced their respective conventional electricity supply systems for offices with "green" systems using environment-friendly wind or hydraulic power. By reducing the dependence on oil and fossil fuels, the three companies collectively reduced carbon emissions by about 680 tons (CO2-equivalent) during the one-year period from April 2010 to March 2011.
Certificate of green energy procurement
About us > CSR Activities > Environmental Efforts > Global Environment Contributions > Energy Saving Activities
