Net Zero R&D Centers
Pledge to Net Zero is the environmental industry's global commitment, requiring science-based targets to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. A growing number of countries, cities, and businesses are making pledges to get to net-zero emissions.
An essential component of the net-zero emission pledge for businesses is being net-zero on energy that means the firm is producing more energy than it is consuming. Many organizations are talking about going on a net-zero energy path.
The role of R&D centers is significant in the net-zero energy path. While on the one hand, R&D centers are helping develop technologies for net-zero energy. On the other hand, they need to set examples of how these technologies can be implemented to get net-zero results.
Here I found the interesting case study of Mitsubishi Electric's R&D center in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, which reduced its primary energy use by 115%, meaning that it created more energy than it consumed in a year.
There are two essential components of net-zero energy R&D center energy savings and energy production. This is how Mitsubishi's R&D center did it.
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Results: This resulted in energy creation of 571.75MJ/m2, energy consumption of 366.07MJ/m2, and an energy balance of -205.68MJ/m2.
Significance: It demonstrates net-zero energy buildings and R&D centers are possible at a small scale in an urban environment also with intent, planning, and execution.
Bottom Line: We will not reach the net-zero energy state by pledges only. We will reach there by action and setting examples: one organization, one building, one R&D center at a time. Net Zero R&D center can lead the way.