Category Archives: Green Energy
Posted on May 14, 2013
As part of its traditional environmental protection and sustainability activities, Kyocera plants Green Curtains every spring at its sites in Japan and select Kyocera Group companies in other parts of the world. Through the hot summer, curtains of foliage are grown on trellises in front of office windows and walls at company sites. This not only provides shade but also shields the buildings from heat radiation ― decreasing inside room temperatures by approximately 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), which contributes to a reduction of energy consumption from air conditioner usage. Furthermore, Green Curtains not only reduce the creation of, but also absorb CO2 emissions: one square meter of foliage absorbs approximately 3.5 kg of CO2 per year.
Posted on April 26, 2013
Murata has installed energy system experimental equipment and a wireless monitoring system targeting next-generation smart houses in smart cells constructed by the Yokohama Smart Community in tvk Housing Plaza Yokohama and commenced verification experiments from April 26. Recent electricity shortages and the rising cost of fossil fuels have resulted in a burgeoning demand for the development of energy systems that provide increased stability and efficiency. In response to this demand, Murata has started verification experiments on a next-generation (autonomous cooperation) energy system with the use of the world’s first model-based development method based on the next-generation smart house concept being advocated by the Yokohama Smart Community.
Posted on April 19, 2013
Fuji Heavy Industries the maker of Subaru automobiles, today unveiled a Japanese specification prototype of its first hybrid model at the technical presentation event held in Japan. Introduced at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in March, Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle offers the brand’s distinctive, enjoyable driving experience.
Posted on April 15, 2013
Nissan and FedEx Express have begun testing of the 100% electric e-NV200 commercial vehicle in Singapore. During the field test, Nissan will provide FedEx Express with a monitor e-NV200 vehicle for use as a delivery vehicle in the city for one month. After one month, the companies will evaluate the vehicle’s potential for the delivery of international air cargo. Trial results and feedback will continue to shape the development of the all-electric urban delivery compact van and related software. The 100% electric e-NV200 commercial vehicle, scheduled to launch in 2014, is the second EV (electric vehicle) model to be sold globally, preceded only by the Nissan LEAF. The vehicle is scheduled to launch in 2014.
Posted on March 22, 2013
NTT DoCoMo announced today that from April, it will begin field testing three conventional mobile-network base stations in Japan that have been installed with solar panels, high-capacity rechargeable batteries and green power controllers. DoCoMo which is developing disaster-proof, environmentally friendly base stations following the Great East Japan Earthquake tested the equipment at its R&D Center from March 2012 to February 2013. The equipment will now be used to establish 10 green base stations in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region of Japan by late summer, including the first three in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Yamanashi prefectures.
Posted on March 14, 2013
The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell has been selected for the second consecutive year by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to demonstrate the real-world benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology. The world’s first production fuel cell electric vehicle, the ix35 Fuel Cell, will be made available throughout 2013 to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policymakers for test drives in Brussels, Belgium. Hyundai plans to build 1,000 examples of the ix35 Fuel Cell by 2015 for lease to public and private fleets, primarily in Europe. A total of 17 ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles have already been ordered by the cities of Copenhagen, Denmark and Skåne, Sweden.
Posted on December 26, 2012
Mitsubishi Motors announced today that the new Outlander PHEV will go on sale at dealerships throughout Japan from January 24, 2013. Powered by the Plug-in Hybrid EV System powertrain derived from MMC’s lineup of electric vehicles (EVs). The world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, the Outlander PHEV represents a fusion of the EV technologies developed by MMC for models such as the i-MiEV, 4WD technologies honed in the Lancer Evolution, and SUV know-how gained from the Pajero (Montero or Shogun in some countries).
Posted on December 4, 2012
Nissan today announced the exhibition overview for Japan’s largest environmental exhibition to take place at Tokyo Big Sight from December 13 – 15, 2012- Eco-Products 2012. Nissan’s booth will be a place to experience, view displays and presentations on how electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to the energy issues of society by focusing on electric supply technology that utilizes batteries of EVs. The promotion of zero-emission vehicles is one of the pillars of Nissan Green Program 2016 (NGP 2016), Nissan’s mid-term comprehensive environmental action plan. The lighting in the Nissan booth during the exhibition will be powered through the LEAF to Home system that utilizes the stored electricity in the battery of Nissan LEAF to power lighting, which contributes to shifting the peak usage hours of electricity demand during the day.
Posted on November 20, 2012
Nissan today announced the release in Japan of the updated Nissan LEAF, which has received a number of enhancements. The all-electric LEAF is in its second iteration and is now available at Nissan dealers in Japan. The new LEAF continues to offer excellent performance and driving feel, with smooth, strong acceleration and quiet delivery across a speed range that’s comparable to that of luxury models, as well as great handling stability realized by well-balanced weight distribution.
Posted on September 12, 2012
The Nissan TeRRA SUV concept, to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on Sep 27, combines two outstanding Nissan strengths – SUVs and EVs – in a vehicle that is equally in its element off-road in the wild or gliding silently through a sophisticated urban setting. With an innovative 4×4 fuel-cell electric powertrain and an athletic exterior that projects an unforgettable presence beyond its compact dimensions, TeRRA takes sustainable motoring into exciting new territory. Envisioned as the one and only Zero Emission SUV, TeRRA builds on Nissan’s success with urban-relevant SUVs and crossovers like Murano and Qashqai and asserts that its zero-emission expertise extends all the way to fuel cells.
Posted on September 3, 2012
Nissan in cooperation with the Tochigi prefectural government will carry out real world driving tests of the 100% electric commercial vehicle, e-NV200, in the prefecture’s rural areas from September 3. The e-NV200 test vehicle to be used is based on Nissan’s multi-purpose compact van, NV200. The electric vehicle Nissan e-NV200 will mainly be used to collect agricultural products from farmers to be sold at roadside markets, among other activities.The field test will also verify the convenience of electric vehicles from the viewpoint of rechargability at homes in agricultural communities, where gasoline stations are gradually decreasing because the population is shrinking and aging.
Posted on August 31, 2012
Toyota is on track to sell one million hybrid vehicles in a calendar year worldwide for the first time – a clear sign that the advanced technology has entered mainstream motoring. A record 630,048 Toyota and Lexus petrol-electric hybrids were purchased worldwide in the six months to June 30 – more than the total of 628,989 hybrids sold during the whole of last year. The recently expanded Prius family of cars – the Prius hatch, Prius c city car and Prius v seven-seater – accounted for almost three-quarters of the total at 467,079 vehicles.
Posted on August 20, 2012
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has pledged to develop with Korea a revolutionary nuclear reactor that will leave far less radioactive waste than existing ones. Gates invested US$35 million in a nuclear-power venture company TerraPower in 2010. TerraPower is led by John Gilleland. It was formed from an effort initiated in 2007 by Nathan Myhrvold’s company, Intellectual Ventures .The Company includes expert staff and individual consultants who have worked for some of the most prestigious nuclear laboratories and engineering companies in the world.
Posted on August 1, 2012
Kyocera, along with six other companies, today announced the completion of capital investment procedures for the establishment of Kagoshima Mega Solar Power Corporation, a new company which will be tasked with operating a 70 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in southern Japan. The utility-scale solar power plant will be the largest in Japan. The total project cost is estimated at approximately 27 billion yen (approx. 345 million US dollars), with seven investment companies involved (including Kyocera). Construction is set to commence in September of this year, with plans for completion by fall of 2013.
Posted on July 18, 2012
This is the world’s first road-worthy, licensed, street legal electric limousine, said Trevor Goulding, director of sales for Embassy Suites Nashville South. The Embassy suites hotel in Nashville, Tennessee needed a new way to shuttle guests. Their typical trip is less than five miles from the hotel. The hotel chain is committed to luxury and going green, so they contracted a company to create a LEAF limo. The LEAF will be primarily VIP car service, anybody who is looking for that special treatment to get around in the area.
