Power Saving REPORT

Researchers in the WinD Lab madeconcerted efforts to save energy ina cross-departmental way
WinD Lab

Akira Sato

Deputy Section Chief,
1st Section,
Osaka Support Group,
Support Department,
R&D Planning &Administration Division

Yasuhiro Nagatani
Section Chief,
Osaka Support Group,
Support Department,
R&D Planning &Administration Division

Masashi Yoshimura
General Manager ofSupport Department andManager of
Osaka Support Group,
R&D Planning &Administration Division

Toshinobu Takeda

Leader, R&D Maintenance Group,
3rd Technology Section,
Osaka Plant Department,
Plant Division, Sumitomo ElectricTechnical Solutions, Inc.

Intermittent stop of the outside
air treating air conditioner

Thermal insulation ofsteam pipes

This report introduces energy saving activities performed inenergy saving technology of Sumitomo Electric.

fiscal 2014 in the WinD Lab, a laboratory building at Osaka

The second initiative was reduction of power consumption in

Works. The WinD Lab accommodates research centers andthe clean room. While power used in the clean room represents

institutes of 10 divisions, as well as intellectual property

approximately 30% of the total power consumption in thedepartments, with roughly 700 workers. While energy saving

WinD Lab, air conditioning is essential in the room, where dust

systems were already in place in the building at the time of its

has to be removed. It was a difficult challenge but we tried toconstruction in 2010, an energy saving diagnosis conducted on

solve it with a sense of responsibility. We actually stopped

holidays in April 2014 revealed an issue that energy

operation of the clean room to verify the result because it has

consumption dropped by only 30% on holidays in comparison

direct impact on the quality of products. We steadily repeatedwith weekdays.

the process of collecting micron-size dust and analyzing it andIt was difficult to promote energy saving in the R&D units as

acquired know-how for energy-saving operation of the room.

they are composed of various organizations. Urged by theAs the third measure, we installed thermal insulation materials

wasteful use presented in a numerical form, however, energy

to steam pipes, which was performed with the energy andsaving activities involving all divisions were launched on apower saving funds prepared in Sumitomo Electric.

cross-sectoral basis.

As a result, while the target was reduction of 133 MWh/year

We saved energy mainly through three initiatives. Firstly, weor 1.0% from the fiscal 2013 level, we reduced energy

examined the operating hours of the outside air treating air

consumption by 173 MWh/year or 1.3% from the fiscal 2013

conditioner. It used to be operated at full capacity except longlevel in fiscal 2014.

holiday seasons for a reason related to temperature, humidity,

In addition to the teamwork of the Osaka Works Environment

and CO 2 concentration. Based on measurement tests overCommittee, enthusiasm of the researchers to pursue energy

about one and a half months, we achieved the intermittent stopsaving also contributed to the success. We will keep workingof the device at night and on holidays. The measurement wastogether to save energy so that we can accelerate development

conducted with a wireless temperature sensor, a proprietaryactivities and improve energy efficiency at the same time.

(Front row,from left)

Hiroyuki Watanabe Section Chief, Osaka Support Group,
Support Department, R&D Planning & Administration Division
Shigeru Masuda Assistant General Manager, Power System R&D Center
Yasuhiro Shimizu Assistant Manager, Sumitomo Electric Intellectual Property & Technology Center, Ltd.
Hiroyuki Fujikawa General Manager, Unit R&D Division, Advanced Automotive Systems R&D Center
Kenichi Hirotsu Assistant Manager, Power System R&D Center
Masashi Yoshimura General Manager of Support Department and Manager of
Osaka Support Group, R&D Planning & Administration Division(Rear row,from left)

Yasuhiro Nagatani Section Chief

Akira Sato Deputy Section Chief

Eiji Ishida Deputy Section Chief

Kenji Kiire Assistant Manager

Osaka Support Group, Support Department, R&D Planning & Administration Division
Toshinobu Takeda Leader, R&D Maintenance Group
Osaka Plant Department, Plant Division, Sumitomo Electric Technical Solutions, Inc.