KYOCERA to Introduce High-Efficiency Turbo Refrigerators in Major Plants and Research Laboratory
Reduction in Both Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Costs
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(This document was translated from the Japanese press release.)
June 15, 2006
Kyocera Corporation (President: Makoto Kawamura) today announced the introduction of high-efficiency turbo refrigerators in the company's major plants and research laboratory in Japan. The measures will be undertaken starting July this year as part of its initiatives to prevent global warming. This will contribute to a reduction of approximately 17,410 tons of CO2 a year, equivalent to approximately 5.8%*1
of the emission of greenhouse effect gas produced by the company in fiscal 2005 (April 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006).
With implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005, companies are setting specific targets and have initiated activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kyocera also sets high targets, namely a reduction of 6% in fiscal 2007 and 10% in fiscal 2009 in comparison with the volume of emissions in fiscal 1990. These targets have been taken by Kyocera independently, and are amongst a number of actions. The introduction of high-efficiency turbo refrigerators is considered part of these activities.
The volume of the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions represents approximately 59.2% of the 29,412 tons of CO2 per year required for achieving the goal of a 6% reduction in comparison with level in fiscal 1990 (calculated based on the figures in fiscal 2005). Therefore, the company considers that this will contribute to a drastic reduction in the emissions, and increase the likelihood of being able to attain the goal.
Turbo refrigerators improve efficiency in energy consumption, comparing with the existing absorption-type refrigerators. Therefore economic benefits to the tune of 260 million yen per annum are expected, thereby reducing energy costs as well as offering environmental protection.
Outline
1) Outline of the installation of the new turbo refrigerators
Eleven units in total:
Shiga Yohkaichi Plant (One Unit)
Kagoshima Sendai Plant (Six Units)
Kagoshima Kokubu Plant (Two Units)
Kagoshima Hayato Plant (One Unit)
R&D Center, Keihanna (One Unit)
Note: Each of the devices will be installed in affiliate in the Kyocera Group:
Kokubu Office, Kyocera SLC Technologies Corporation (One Unit)
International Golf Resort Kyocera Co., Ltd.(One Unit)
A total of 13 turbo refrigerator units will be introduced to the Kyocera Group. Consequently, a reduction of 18,530 tons of CO2 greenhouse gas each year is expected.
2) Investment (planned)
Approx. 500 million yen
3) Economic benefits (estimated)
Cost reduction of approx. 260 million yen a year
4) Devices to be installed
High-efficiency turbo refrigerators
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions
To stipulate the environmental policy and to identify details of the activities and medium and long-term milestones, the sections and subsections of the Kyocera Green Committee have been actively promoting environmental conservation activities by developing a plan based on a three-year period starting in 1992. The 5th Environmental Protection Promotion Plan launched in fiscal 2005. Kyocera sets 31 items as activities and numeric targets, including reduction in energy use for each fiscal year, and it manages the progress.
Kyocera raised the target to the next stage for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Reduce the total volume. The results comes from the operation of the combined energy operation systems in the Kagoshima Kokubu Plant, a reduction of SF6, and work to reduce the consumption of energy in the Kagoshima Sendai Plant in fiscal 2005. Kyocera achieved a reduction of 9,455 tons of greenhouse CO2 compared to the result of the previous fiscal year.
Moreover, the emission in source units in fiscal 2005 has been drastically reduced by 28% in comparison with the figure in fiscal 1990.
*1: Equivalent to 5.8% of the 300,194 tons of greenhouse CO2emitted by Kyocera in fiscal 2005.
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions
References
A reduction of 17,410 tons of greenhouse CO2 to be attained through the introduction of the turbo refrigerators equals the CO2 volume absorbed by 48.7 km2 of forests (equivalent to the area covered by 1,231 Koshien stadiums.)
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