New Mishima Plant of Olympus Corporation–Completed in March 2007
Measuring 5m in diameter, 25m in height and with a water capacity of 483m3, this vertical heat storage tank is designed to capitalize on the thermodynamic properties of water and its specific gravity variation with temperature. The system utilizes the lower temperatures of cooled water at the bottom of the tank to cool the building during summer.
Of the two buildings at the new Mishima Plant, the four-storied Life Science Techno Center engages in the development and production of automatic blood analyzers used for biochemistry, and immunity and blood transfusion checks. It also houses the Academy Training Room, where customers, such as inspection engineers who are going to use our analyzers, receive training on use of the equipment. A separate two-storied building serves as a biomaterial works, engaged in the production of artificial bone.
"The idea was to make it a 'visually attractive plant' for not simply visiting trainees but also general customers," says Noriaki Takahashi, Representative Director and President of Mishima Olympus Co., Ltd., who worked like a dynamo to realize the new plant. One of the "visually attractive" objects is the environment. This is, after all, the environmental model plant for the Olympus Group, and they are expected to play it right.
The new plant uses highly insulating materials in the roofs, exterior materials, and window glass, introducing outside air to minimize the load necessary for air-conditioning. We also make use of more environmentally-conscious night-time power as a source of heating. The plant has achieved a remarkable reduction in lighting energy by using an automatic dimming system and automatic on-off systems based on motion sensors. The new Mishima Plant reuses waste water generated in the process of water deionization (deionized water is used in the production of automatic blood analyzers) for toilet flushing and stores rainwater in the basement for reuse in the garden. There is also a plan to install solar panels on the rooftops. Various state-of-the-art technologies and systems to reduce energy consumption and environmental loads are in place.
"You can get some payback from a building if you spend a decent amount of money. But you need to use it "wisely if you want a successful outcome," says Takashi Tabara, Customer Support Dept., Diagnostic Systems, Life Science Company, Olympus Corporation. Based on this concept, the new plant has a central energy monitoring system. This system allows us to see instantly how much improvement is being made in terms of energy saving or CO2 reduction. We aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 21% with the new buildings and systems, and further reduce the level by over 30% through resourceful operations. Themes of training to customers also include energy and water conservation at locations where the equipment is to be used. These activities will help us to develop products with less environmental impact, or "eco-products" as they are known. A "visually attractive" plant will generate useful activities and product development, which will further encourage the Olympus Group and its customers and local community. Such is the role this new plant is expected to play.
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