Environmental Initiatives
Specific Initiatives
The Tokyo International Forum strives in various ways to leverage natural energy, use energy efficiently and create a comfortable environment.
Solar Power Generation System
Solar panels are installed on the roofs of the hall buildings. The power generated by the solar panels is converted in to AC power and used in the buildings.
The solar panels, about 600㎡ in area, generate 93kW of power.
This is equivalent to electricity used in nearly 50 general households.
Solar Heat Collecting System
Apart from the solar power generation system, the roofs of the halls are also equipped with evacuated glass tube type solar thermal collectors. Water heated using solar heat is supplied to restrooms and showers in the buildings as well as restaurant kitchens.
The area of the heat collector is about 400 ㎡ and the temperature is 85℃.
The heat collected is sufficient to heat water in about 500 bathtubs to a temperature of 40℃.
Waste Water Recycling System
Waste water generated in the buildings (water from washbasins or restaurant kitchens) or rain water falling on the premises is processed (biotreatment and membrane separation) in a waste water recycling system and used for flushing toilets, watering plants and melting snow accumulated on the roof of the Glass Building.
Utilization rate of recycled water: About 90% of the water used for flushing toilets and other purposes （subject to seasonal variations)
Food Waste Recycling
Food waste produced by the restaurants and catering in the facilities is recycled and transformed into electrical energy, etc. Collected food waste is transported to a recycling plant in Ota City where it is transformed into biogas via methane fermentation technology. Biogas is used in the factory's cogeneration system to produce energy in the form of electricity. Most of this electricity is then sold to the community surrounding the recycling plant.
We also strive to thoroughly separate and reduce the amount of other garbage produced in the facilities.
Energy Saving in Lighting and Air Conditioning
Lighting equipment in seating areas, lobbies, corridors and other spaces are being changed to LED lights, which consume less power and last longer. We are striving to save more energy by using highly energy-saving permanent magnet motors for air blowers and introducing a system that appropriately adjusts the intake of outdoor air for air conditioning.
LED: Ceiling light of Hall A
Energy Management System （EMS)
In order to achieve energy-efficient operation while maintaining a comfortable, convenient environment for visitors, an energy management system (EMS) is used to optimize operation of all equipment in the building including air conditioning, etc.
The Tokyo International Forum tracks its usage of renewable energy on real-time basis and displays it using on-site digital signage devices to disseminate information about its environmental activities in an easy-to-understand manner.
