Creating a decarbonised society
As part of our support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we created SUSTIE – a net-zero-energy building (ZEB) in Japan that combines sustainability, energy efficiency and occupant comfort and health.
The carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during the operational phase of a building accounts for approximately 30% of the world’s total industrial CO2 emissions. So reducing buildings emissions and developing green building technologies could be key to creating a decarbonised society.
That’s why SUSTIE – a portmanteau of ‘sustainable’ and ‘energy’ – is an essential step towards a carbon-neutral society that responds to the crisis of climate change.
Prioritising energy-efficiency and comfort
SUSTIE is one of the first buildings to prioritise both high energy-efficiency and the extreme comfort and well-being of occupants. It provides air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, hot water supply and elevators, all with excellent energy-saving performance.
Our systems are highly sensitive to the needs of occupants. For example, we developed a management system that can predict the CO2 concentration in a room according to the number of people, and adjust the ventilation accordingly. Or switch the lights off when the number of people in a room drops to zero.
SUSTIE also uses sensors that collect information on indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity differences as well as outdoor PM2.5, PM10 and pollen levels to determine whether to open or close windows. Keeping temperatures inside just right without reducing air quality.
Put simply, the combination of precise sensing and predictive control technology in SUSTIE ensures both energy-efficiency and comfort.
Developing net-zero technologies
We continuously develop technologies that contribute to improved energy-efficiency, productivity, comfort, convenience, and business continuity.
We evaluate these technologies in the SUSTIE Net Zero Energy Test Facility. This green building allows us to present the very latest zero-energy building (ZEB) innovations, supporting more than 60 demonstrations of cutting-edge technology to date.
Thanks to SUSTIE, we can develop and showcase cutting-edge technologies in net-zero-energy buildings and bring those technologies to market more quickly.
At a glance
Creating greener buildings
Sustainability is a cornerstone of our business, and one of our five key targets is to become carbon neutral by 2050. Our motivation to create green buildings that push the boundaries of energy efficiency is also driven by our desire to resolve social issues through our business.
One of the ways we make that happen is by using advanced technologies to create, test and simulate scenarios within SUSTIE. The building structure is reproduced on a computer so that precise calculations can be carried out. We also created a Building Digital Twin, with a database that seamlessly handles past and present data and makes predictions for the future.
The Building Digital Twin enabled us to simulate the parameter settings of different kinds of building equipment, so we can find the optimum settings in advance – helping to save energy and increase comfort.
Our research and knowhow in this area has many beneficial applications, including at our own corporate sites. So, as Mitsubishi Electric solutions help our partners, customers and society move towards carbon-neutrality, we also continue to drive down our CO2 emissions through greener office buildings and industrial facilities.
Working together to reimagine energy-efficiency
In Japan, there is a set energy standard value that all buildings over 300m2 must meet. SUSTIE achieves an energy reduction of 72.6% against this value while generating 42.8% of energy through solar power – leading to a total 115% reduction in energy overall.
SUSTIE is the first building in Japan to gain the highest levels in 3 certificates: BELS, CASBEE Wellness Office, and WELL certification. A clear demonstration that this sustainable building attains global standards in enhancing the health and comfort of its occupants.
With SUSTIE bringing together the energy-saving technologies of the entire Mitsubishi Electric Group, we’re proud to have reimagined green buildings in new, exciting and award-winning ways.
