Environmental Energy Innovation Building

The Environmental Energy Innovation (EEI) Building incorporates the latest energy technology making the building like no other in the world. Designed to confront global warming, the EEI Building is nearly self-sufficient at producing the electricity it consumes and has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60%.

The EEI designers and architects were guided by the following master concepts with the highest priority placed on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Their target was to reduce these emissions by 60% or more compared to existing Tokyo Tech research facilities. The guiding concepts are:

1.

Thorough Energy Conservation

2.

Introduction of High-Efficiency Distributed Power Generation System which Meets Energy Demands

3.

Comprehensive Management of the Demand for Electricity

Heat from outdoor equipment is radiated to the ground where the temperature is stable throughout the year. This effectively saves energy by avoiding the creation of an urban heat island. Through the use of this radiant cooling/heating system, fan power can be reduced and natural air conditioning can be utilized.

The simultaneous usage rate of fume hoods for materials research in the fields of environment and energy in the EEI Building is estimated based on past operational performance data collected at Ookayama Campus. Based on this data, the optimal capacity of the exhaust ventilation system is determined to conserve energy. When researchers are not in their experimental laboratories, the front sash windows of the fume hoods automatically close. The pressure in the room is controlled by interlocking the air volume control valve with the outside air conditioning system, which creates a balance between increased environmental performance and electrical power savings.

In order to design newer and better solar cells, the laboratory is kept free of dust and airborne pollutants with the aid of an outside air conditioning system utilizing waste heat generated by the building's fuel cells. Additionally, motion sensors in the room detect the researchers' movements and select the most appropriate mode from three possible choices for the automatic operation of the fan filter units (packaged air conditioner).

Real-time information on electricity usage and solar cell/fuel cell power generation is sent to the electricity information server. Information analysis and disclosure to researchers further enables efficient operation of the building.

For researchers and students alike, the EEI Building is a central locale in their lives. Various environmental energy technologies were incorporated as unobtrusively as possible and seamlessly integrated into their work and study spaces. Much thought and consideration went into designing such a functional and livable building. Each floor of 800 m2 sought to minimize the number of pillars and inside walls, thereby promoting interdisciplinary exchange between students and researchers. Additionally, research offices and experimental laboratories alternate floors so that researchers and students can easily move between both. There are also numerous other small features which make the EEI Building welcoming and livable. For example, the vertical ducts of the fume hoods are found in the space between the solar-panel envelope and the building where they are protected from exposure to the outdoors and yet free up valuable work and study space inside. Balconies on each floor can be found next to the lounges or refresh rooms. The first-floor Multi-Purpose Hall, designed for exhibiting research results, has long built-in benches which extend along the large windows. Finally, bookshelves salvaged from the former university library form partitions between the student study rooms and the corridors lending warmth to the open areas.

The solar-panel envelope is a light-weight, flexible structure on which the solar panels are mounted. It is anchored to the main structure by means of small-diameter, square Vierendeel frame girders.

Published: June 2013