Buildings

Mitsubishi Building Green in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor

14 years ago charis 1 Comment

The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor is an ambitious project, and it’s no surprise that Japan wanted in. One of its companies slated to participate in construction projects is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. MHI’s angle is the promotion of eco-friendly cities – which it calls “Smart Communities” – built from the ground up. MHI is currently conducting studies on economic feasibility along with India’s leading business conglomerate, the Tata Group.

Tokyo Tower — Powered by People (on Bicycles)

14 years ago charis 0 Comments

Tokyo Tower has been crushed by Godzilla more times than I can count. Its presence silently locates any scene in Tokyo. While not always visible in the midst of a skyline filled with high-rises and skyscrapers, its orange and white figure is instantly recognizable. Built as a broadcast station in 1958, it is illuminated every night and broadcasts television and radio (analog and digital) 24/7.

Experimental Smart House Completed In Tokyo University

14 years ago charis 4 Comments

The Institute of Industrial Science of Tokyo University, widely regarded as the top university in Japan, has erected a “smart house” on their Komaba Campus, in cooperation with LIXIL Housing Corporation’s Eyeful Home Company. The current structure, the COMMA house (COMfort MAnagement), is the start of a series of prototypes and tests geared toward creating more-or-less self-sufficient home. The project is expected to have plans for a standard smart house by 2020.

Solar PV Panel Shading, a New Consideration for ROI?

14 years ago breathonthewind 3 Comments

One of the essential questions we ask with solar PV installation is “what will the return on the investment (ROI) be?” Many considerations are used to calculate a result. Researchers at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, under the direction of professor for environmental engineering Jan Kleissl, have recently provided us with yet another consideration to incorporate into these equations — the energy efficiency benefit of solar panel shade. Using a thermal infrared camera, they were able to calculate the value of solar panel roof shading.