PRESS RELEASE

September 26, 2023
Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc.

Realizing Carbon Neutral Building by Utilizing Renewable Energy“Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center’’Awarded Asian Regional Competition of the World’s Largest
Environmental Building Technology Award

Left：
Right：’’Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center’’ Office Annex
Award ceremony on Aug 19th, 2023, in Taichung, Taiwan

Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc. are pleased to announce thattogether with Professor Shinichi Tanabe (Waseda University) and Professor Yasuyoshi Akashi (University ofTokyo), have been awarded the top Asian regional award at ASHRAE Region XIII 26th Chapters Regional
Conference of “ASHRAE Technology awards 2024” hosted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeratingand Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) *, the world's largest international society on air conditioning andair-conditioning, at the Takasago Thermology Engineering Innovation Center (Tsukuba City, Ibaragi / The
subject of application for this award is the Office Annex) on August 19, 2023. This facility actively utilizes
renewable energy sources that take advantage of local characteristics. By combining groundwater heat,biomass CHP and photovoltaic power generation with a large-scale power storage system, this facility hasachieved off-grid operation (a state in which this facility is self-sufficient in electricity). We believe that thisachievement is a particularly useful system in Japan, where resilience against natural disasters is critical.
※With more than 50,000 members from over 130+ nations, ASHRAE* is a diverse organization (founded in 1894, HQ
Atlanta GA) dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve
humanity and promote a sustainable world. https://www.ashrae.org/

For further information and press enquiries, please contact:Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Office TEL 03 -6369-8215
Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc. Corporate Communications Office TEL 03-3287-5001

1◼ ASHRAE Technology Awards- World’s Largest Environmental Building Technology Award The ASHRAE Technology Awards (since 1999) recognize outstanding achievements by members who
have successfully applied innovative building design in the areas of comfort for the occupants, indoor airquality and energy conservation. Performance must be proven through one-year of verifiable operating
data; therefore, the awards are highly trusted by architects and engineers. The award, which is presented
to, and the Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center won First Place in "Region XIII" (Asia), which
includes Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries. As a result, we have been selected as theregional representative for the global best technology awards which will be awarded to the projects among
the winners of 15 regions around the world. We will represent Japan and Asia in the world's best
environmental architecture competition.
Asia Region nominee

Japan Chapter nominee

Global nominee

ASHRAE Japan Chapter

ASHRAE Region XⅢ

ASHRAE Technology awards

Technology awards

Technology awards

Global nominee from regional winners

Japan Chapter Award (1st)Asia Region Award (1st)

Global Best Technology Award

August 19, 2023

to be announced in Jan. 2024

July 6, 2023

ASHRAE Technology Awards 2024 Nomination Process◼

Key Points for Award Evaluation: The Technological Innovativeness ofTakasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center

1.

New Technology: Energy Management System for Large-Capacity Storage Battery
The new Energy Management System (EMS) to optimally control high-capacity batteries has developed
for this Facility. This EMS predicts the on-site power load and solar radiation several days in advance, andoptimally controls the storage/discharge of storage batteries based on the predicted power generation ofsolar power and biomass CHP, thereby enabling the Office Annex to go off-grid for electric power. Facilities
can be operated without relying on an external power grid.
*Biomass CHP（Combined Heat and Power）：An energy-saving method that utilizes waste heat generated during
power generation. In the series of power generation processes (heating and pyrolysis of wood chips to produce hightemperature combustible gas, which is fed into a gas engine for power generation), the biomass CHP at this facility
supplies the waste heat obtained from cooling the cooler and engine to the facility as hot water via a heat exchanger.

Solar PowerPower Grid

Biomass power
generation

Large storage
battery

Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center

Left：
An EMS that enables off-grid operation,
visualizing and optimally controlling theoperation of each generator + storage
battery based on the facility's electricity
demand and power generation forecasts.

Visualization and analysis byintegrating various information.

Promoting
Carbon Neutrality

Lower
Cost

Business Needs

Safe EnergyOperations

OperationalSchedule

WeatherElectricity
bill trends

External Data2Energy operation in this facility using EMS

Left :
A simulation of energy consumption in the office building(ASHRAE 90.1) showed that the design value (-130
MJ/m2/year) would result in 131% energy savings
compared to the ASHRAE standard value (421MJ/m2/year) (When one biomass CHP unit is operated).
A post-completion survey (in FY2021) showed that
continuous operational improvements resulted in a further
14.3% reduction in energy consumption from the designvalue. Adding the electricity generated by the solar panels
and two biomass CHP units, the primary energy
consumption (net amount: -263 MJ/m2/year) was reducedby -162% from the standard value. Carbon neutrality has
been achieved.

Primary Energy Consumption

2.

New Technology: Two Air Conditioning Systems That Directly Utilize Groundwater
Heat for Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
Two technologies have developed to realize air conditioning system utilizing groundwater heat and for theoffice space.
i. Radiant AC Panel for Grid Ceiling
Conventionally, ceiling radiant panel system could only provide uniform temperature control per room,
but here we have developed the system that finely controls water supply according to load distribution,
thereby reducing the power required to convey cold and hot water. The system consists of twelve 600mm square panels as one unit, and water delivery is controlled according to the temperature of thepanel surfaces.
ii. Three Types of Personal Air Conditioning System
We have developed a Personal Air Conditioning System that can heat and cool according to thetemperature preferences of individuals. These systems received positive feedback in a thermal
environment satisfaction survey of workers who use them in their workspaces.
(a)

Air volume adjustment knob
Vent

(b)

(c)
Vent

Solenoid valve
DC Fan, CoilAir volume adjustment knob
Vent

DC Fan, Coil
DC Fan, Coil

Office Floor

Three Types of Personal Air Conditioning Systems

Radiant AC Panel for Grid Ceiling is applied

All systems can be controlled by a smartphone.

in the office space. The smooth panel(a) "Partition Type Personal AC" is installed in the partitions between desks

surface also reflects light and contributes(b) "Desk Type Personal AC" is installed under the table-topto improve sense of brightness of the office(c) "Ceiling Type Personal AC" is installed between Radiant Air-Conditioning Panels.

space.

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3.

Minimizing Environmental Impact by Realizing Highly Efficient Operation of Heat
Sources Using Renewable Energy
By adopting a cloud-based central monitoring system, the facility can manage all equipment in an
integrated manner without the need for a dedicated facilities manager on site, contributing to the efficient
operation and rapid improvement of the following systems.

i. Utilization of Groundwater Heat
Groundwater heat is monitored throughout the year to set a stable average temperature (16.6°C). The
utilization of groundwater heat has resulted in an average summer energy consumption efficiency COPof 7.8, a very high efficiency operation compared to air-cooled HP chillers COP of 4.1. This groundwater
heat provides 63% of the facility's chiller demand.
ii. Biomass CHP
Throughhigh-efficiency

operation,77%

overallefficiency, the biomass CHPs successfully meetalmost all, 91%, of the air conditioning thermal demand
for the entire facility. Two biomass CHP units are
installed to enable periodic maintenance in turn,contributing to stable operation.

Through the active use of renewable energy and improvements in system efficiency, Office Annex
has achieved complete zero CO2 emissions, with an annual CO2 emissions volume of minus 159
tons during operation when power generation is factored in. In addition, the heat source systemusing groundwater heat and biomass CHP reduces not only CO2 emissions but also CFC gasconsumption. Such technologies minimize environmental impact.
The entire facility is also carbon neutral through the purchase of green electricity derived fromhydroelectric power generation.

4◼ Achievements of "Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center" in Japan
This facility has received the following awards in Japan.
33rd Institute of Electrical Installation Engineers Awards, Excellent Facility Award (Technology category)
June 2022

Institute of Electrical Installation Engineers of Japan“Electrical Installations aiming at [ZEB] of Takasago Thermal Innovation Center”“2022 Demand Side Management Awards” Integrated Systems Category
Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan Promotion Award

June 2022

Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan“Energy self-sufficient research facility that achieves both reduced environmental impact andintellectual productivity - Takasago Thermal Innovation Center”
61st SHASE Award for Distinguished Technologies Building equipment category

May 2023

The Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan“Environmental Facility Planning and Execution at the Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation
Center”
Environmental and Equipment Design Award 2022

May 2023

2nd Category: Integrated M&E Design distinguished design award
Association of Building Engineering and Equipment"Takasago Thermal Innovation Center"

11th carbon neutral Award
June 2023

Japanese Association of Building Mechanical and Electrical Engineers"Takasago Thermal Innovation Center Energy self-sufficient research facility that achieves both
reduced environmental impact and intellectual productivity"5◼ Project Outline
ProjectName

Takasago Thermology EngineeringInnovation CenterLocation

2-19 Fujimigaoka, Tsukuba Mirai, Ibaragi

Building Use

R&D Center

Site Area

22,746.18 sqm

Building Area

7,129.74 sqm

G

11,763.97 sqm

Floor

2 above ground, 1 rooftop
Maximum height: 15.455ｍ

FAStructure

S above ground, Partially RC

CASBEE Wellness Office（2020）：Rank S
Certifications

BELS：5 star, 91% reduction in design primary energy consumption, “Nearly ZEB”
LEED V4 BD+C（NC）: GOLD

Planning, Development, Verificationand Evaluation

Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd.

Design*1, Construction
Administration, Verification andMitsubishi Jisho Design Inc.

Evaluation
Design*2 and Construction
Construction

Takenaka Corporation
KANDENKO CO., LTD., YAMATO Inc.,
Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. Kan-Shinetsu Branch
Shinichi Tanabe (Waseda University), Yasuyoshi Akashi (University of Tokyo),

Verification and Evaluation

Masanari Ukai (Lecturer, Waseda University),
Shohei Miyata (Assistant Professor, University of Tokyo)*1: Design Development and MEP Construction Document of HVAC
*2: Architecture and Structure Construction Document
Left:
Overall view of the facility.
The office building is on theleftandthelaboratorybuilding on the right.
Right:
Central atrium of the officebuilding.

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