Panasonic Kyoto Building
- Japan
- Office & Industry
- Offices
Reducing power consumption to transform an existing building into a ZEB* using high efficiency fixture and lighting controls
Winner of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (ZEB/ZEH Field) in the Best Practice Category, Energy Conservation Grand Prize 2023
*The term "ZEB" is an acronym for "Net Zero Energy Building" and refers to buildings that aim to achieve a primary energy balance of zero for annual energy consumed while realizing a comfortable indoor environment.
Office
Creating a ZEB by dimming and reducing illuminance
Under JIS Z 9110, the recommended illuminance for offices is 750 lx, but as visual office work has shifted from paper media to OA devices, this guideline is being revised in an increasing number of cases. In transforming this building into a ZEB, we endeavored to reduce average desktop illuminance to 500 lx and reduce power consumption utilizing Panasonic’s own space brightness index of Feu. Feu values were measured from multiple perspectives, confirming that 500 lx is the standard brightness level in offices. Furthermore, we reduced BEI/L*1 (which is usually 0.35 for equipment replacement) to 0.33*2 by introducing sensors and time schedule controls. The lighting used is compatible with the DALI-2 system, which is in compliance with international standards for lighting control communication methods. We are providing free, comfortable lighting spaces through individual control that enables flexible lighting operation.
*1 Building Energy Index: The primary energy consumption ratio for a designed building when compared with standard buildings using the Calculation Program of Primary Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings. It is deemed that ZEB has been realized when BEI ≦ 0.50 (excluding renewable energy). BEI/L is a ratio used to measure consumption for lighting only.
*2 In the Kyoto Building, lighting with high luminous flux was selected so that workers could experience both 750 lx and 500 lx lighting spaces. For the lighting usually selected, BEI/L was 0.28.
Even with illuminance reduced from 750 lx to 500 lx, workers are continuing to perform their duties with no impediment under comparable brightness conditions.
Energy saved through automatic control using brightness sensors and human-detecting sensors
Further energy savings are achieved by setting brightness levels according to the time of day.
Energy is saved while maintaining comfort by setting lighting brightness for various scenarios according to the time of day using time schedule controls.
*Pictures are for illustration purposes only
Conference rooms
High color-rendering High color rendering LED, "Eiko-shoku" lights are adopted to make the colors of objects appear vividly and create lively facial expressions.
In some conference rooms, CRI93 and high color-rendering High color rendering LED, "Eiko-shoku" base lights are used as these are easy to install. These lights are in compliance with JIS Z 9112 High Color-rendering Class 2 and not only make colors easy to distinguish but also brighten people’s facial expressions, making them also ideal for business negotiations.
Lighting design for ZEB
Reducing BEI/L by innovating lighting methods
Panasonic Kyoto Building
- Location
- Kamitobakitahanana-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi
- Owner
- Electric Works Company, Panasonic Corporation
- Completed
- Reopened after renovation in April 2023
- Awards
- Winner of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (ZEB/ZEH Field) in the Best Practice Category, Energy Conservation Grand Prize 2023
The Panasonic Kyoto Building was constructed in 2011 as an environmentally friendly building incorporating energy creation, energy savings, and energy management solutions. Renovations carried out in April 2023 were aimed at achieving decarbonization to optimize and further increase the efficiency of the building’s facilities by introducing high energy-saving lighting and air-conditioning fixture in addition to downsizing. By only updating facilities and fixture without carrying out major structural changes, the building was transformed into a ZEB that is also resilient. Realizing a BEI of 0.47, the building achieved ZEB ready status. As a ZEB planner, Panasonic intends to utilize the expertise gained through these renovations and promote the transformation of existing buildings into ZEBs, thereby contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society.
