Living eco-friendly
Panasonic is globally committed to developing environmentally-conscious products in the following three aspects: global warming prevention, effective resources utilisation and chemical substances management. In particular, we have been striving to increase a rate of products with industry-leading energy effi ciency and phase out those with low performance, with the aim of contributing to the prevention of global warming. In the ‘eco ideas’ House, which embodies a lifestyle with virtually zero CO2 emissions and that will be realised in three to fi ve years into the future, we are proposing wide-ranging ideas that create comfortable lifestyles with minimum energy consumption, as well as presenting products and services that make full use of our original environmental technologies. Furthermore, to face the challenge of stepping up to the new fi eld from the enhancement of products’ energy effi ciency, Panasonic is promoting the development of energy-saving equipment such as heat pumps, fuel cells and solar power generators as well as energy-storing devices.
Realising eco-conscious solutions in entire towns
Tianjin eco-city
Panasonic is taking part in a pioneering project by China and Singapore to create the Tianjin Eco-City, some 40 km from Tianjin city centre and 150 km from Beijing. Designed to be practical, replicable and scalable, the Tianjin Eco-city will demonstrate the determination of both countries in tackling environmental protection, resource and energy conservation, and sustainable development, and serve as a model for sustainable development for other cities in China. By 2020, there will be around 30 square kilometres of city capable of accommodating a population of around 400,000.
Home energy management system
Panasonic is supplying each of the houses built in Tianjin Eco-City with a mini-VRF air conditioning system with Home Energy Management System (HEMS). The HEMS will be central to saving energy in homes. By linking a whole range of domestic appliances, solar power generation equipment, electric vehicle chargers, storage batteries and other devices, the HEMS shows the amount of energy being used in the home. The system will indicate whether or not energy-saving goals are being achieved and will display advice on where further savings could be made. By using easily-read displays on all screens throughout the home, homeowners will become more conscious of energy-saving activities and adopt a more natural and eco-friendly lifestyle.
Fujisawa sustainable smart town
Panasonic is converting its former factory site in Fujisawa City in Japan, 50 km west of Tokyo, into a smart town deploying services and energy systems based on Panasonic’s eco ideas for green lifestyles. Panasonic is working in partnership with eight other companies and Fujisawa City to build an innovative smart town. The developers, manufacturers and service providers will work closely together throughout every phase of the project, from the master planning stage to actual operation of the town that will have about 1,000 households spread over 19 hectares. Homes will employ the full range of Panasonic’s most advanced systems for energy production, storage and management. Houses will be fully selfsufficient by generating power from effi cient solar modules and fuel cell systems, with energy stored in powerful lithium-ion batteries. Low energy lighting, air conditioning and household appliances will be interconnected via a computer system, and televisions and PCs will be used to display energy consumption and tips on savings.
