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Design Features:
This international research facility was built with the purpose of developing environment protecting technologies for all the world. In order to produce such technologies, the facility design itself includes many examples of methods and materials that reduce the burdens places on the environment. Among these are fountain, stream, waterfall and pond which not only enhance the facility's scenery, but also store rainwater, which is used for cooling heat sources. This cooling system produces about a 20% saving in energy consumption. In addition, thanks to a natural filter bacterial film that is produced by the organisms growing on the crushed stone placed at the bottom of the brooks and ponds, the water is purified without having to use a high-level filtering system. |
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| Control of heat and sunlight: |
| Semi-buried structure |
To utilize thermal insulation and constant temperature nature of the earth to reduce thermal loads on external walls |
| Eaves |
Large eaves to block direct solar heat gain in summer |
| Double skin |
Multi-layer glazing and double roof to ensure high thermal resistance |
| Under-floor air-conditioning |
Reduced air-conditioning cooling loads for habitable areas |
 (Click to have a larger view)
| Communication with nature |
| Air monitor ventilation |
Air monitors to enhance ventilation effectiveness (by CO2 concentration measurement) |
| Air flow roof |
Outdoor air is warmed in a double roof (which is warmed by sunlight) and then taken into the building for heating in winter |
| Cool tube |
Outdoor air is cooled in an underground pit (which is cooled by the low temperature of the earth) and then taken into the building for cooling in summer |
| Efficient use of energy |
| Heat storage by building structure |
Surplus heat is stored in the building structure to reduce air-conditioning starting load |
| Utilization of large temperature difference |
Hot and chilled water is used in large temperature difference |
 (Click to have a larger view)
| New energy system |
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| Solar photovoltaics |
50 kW solar photovoltaic panels (total area 427 m2) are installed on the roof of atrium (87 m2) and laboratory (340 m2) |
| Fuel cells |
50 kW town-gas powered fuel cell are installed |
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Sunlight:
Size and angles of large eaves and window pane materials are selected for optimum thermal efficiency and to enable sunlight to deliver as much of the building's various lighting requirements as possible. Solar photovoltaic panels of total capacity 50 kW are installed to meet 2.5% of total power demand.
Wind:
In summer, large eaves will shade out the strongest sunlight, and the fresh intake air for the air-conditioning system will be taken from a underground pit that remains cool through contact with the earth. In winter, the fresh intake air for the air-conditioning system will be taken from the ceiling space, which is warmed by sunlight. This results in energy savings equivalent to 10% of outdoor air load. |
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Water:
The building is located on an open hill. Taking advantage of the sloped site, a system was adopted in which rain water collected on site is subsequently recycled and circulated in the springs, brooks, waterfalls and ponds created around the building. The result is a landscape as restful as it is beautiful. The collected rainwater is used as cooling water for the air-conditioning system and then recycled for use in flushing toilets or it is circulated within the site for purification by natural filtration. This improves the efficiency of heat pump unit by 20% and reduces city water consumption by 20%.
Exhaust heat from the air conditioning system is transferred to water and discharged into a brook, where it is naturally cooled. This "cooling river" system significantly cuts down the energy consumed for air conditioning. This provides further evidence that running water is valuable not only for creating a cool atmosphere but also for the more practical reason of energy conservation.
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Fuel cells:
Fuel cells, developed originally for space vehicles, are being explored for their potential in commercial applications as an energy system. They are especially beneficial as urban cogeneration system which supplies both electricity and heat. Fuel cells produce electricity and water by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, which is the reverse of water electrolysis. Hydrogen is produced by the natural gas reforming process, while oxygen is obtained from the air. Since electric energy is
directly obtained from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, electrical efficiency is higher than conventional power generating methods. The specifications of the fuel cell system installed in the RITE headquarters building is given as follows: |
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| Manufacturer |
Fuji Electric |
rite50.jpg 55.85 Kb
(Fuel cell principle)
rite51.jpg 152.57 Kb
(Schematic)
rite52.jpg 19.86 Kb
(Fuel cell unit)
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| Rated power |
50 kW AC |
| Voltage |
200/220 V |
| Electrical efficiency |
40% (LHV) |
| Overall efficiency |
80% (LHV) |
| Heat recovery |
90 oC and 55 oC hot water |
| Fuel |
City gas 13A, low pressure |
| Operation |
Grid-connected |
| NOx |
below 5 ppm |
| Dimensions |
1.75 (W) x 3.1 (L) x 2.2 m (H) |
| Weight |
6.5 tons |
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