Initiatives to Save Energy
Reduction trend in energy consumption
The JVCKENWOOD Group recognizes that it is responsible as a manufacturer for reducing the use of limited resources and energy as much as it can and realizing a sustainable production process. Therefore, we work to monitor and reduce energy consumption especially at production bases and make global efforts, such as reducing person-hours and installing energy-saving equipment. In FY2021, the JVCKENWOOD Group (all domestic and certain overseas companies) consumed 608.5 thousand GJ of energy. We will also continue our active efforts, including using alternative renewable energy sources, to achieve the mid- to long- term target.
Energy consumption (FY2014-2021)
Energy consumption by type (FY2018–FY2021)
| Energy type | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel City gas (unit: thousand ㎥） | 287.4 | 360.7 | 341.2 | 348.7 |
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel LPG (unit: thousand kg) | 35.8 | 40.6 | 18.1 | 15.4 |
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel Gasoline (unit: kl) | 10.4 | 8.8 | 2.6 | 3.2 |
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel Heavy oil (unit: kl) | 39.1 | 35.5 | 31.7 | 47.4 |
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel Kerosene (unit: kl) | 57.0 | 70.2 | 60.0 | 74.5 |
| Consumption of non-renewable fuel Light oil (unit: kl) | 13.7 | 10.7 | 7.3 | 6.7 |
| Non-renewable electric power purchased (unit: thousand Kwh) | 77,159.3 | 72,102.6 | 63,109.4 | 62,852.0 |
| Non-renewable energy (steam, thermal, cooling, other) purchased | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, etc.) generated (unit: thousand kwh) | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Non-renewable energy (electric power, thermal/cooling power) sold | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total energy consumption cost | - | - | - | - |
Coverage: All Group companies in Japan and certain overseas companies
Utilization of Renewable Energy
As part of its climate change initiative, the Head Office and Yokohama Business Center are working to promote the use of renewable energy. Their two renewable energy generation systems produce 12,000 kwh of electricity per year. Electricity generated by the solar power system on the roof of the guard station is provided to the guard station, while electricity generated by the hybrid wind and solar power system near the gate is used for outdoor lights within the Head Office.
Solar panels on the guard station
Hybrid wind and solar power system at gate
Discontinuation of Boiler Facilities (JVCKENWOOD Yokosuka Business Center / JVCKENWOOD Nagano)
The JVCKENWOOD Group has various initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions at workplaces. At the Yokosuka Business Center, it decommissioned existing boiler equipment in FY2020 and replaced it with electrically-powered air conditioners. The new equipment consumes less fossil fuel and reduces CO2 emissions by 132 tons. JVCKENWOOD Nagano is likewise decommissioning its boilers in favor of electric air-conditioners and plans to complete the switchover during 2022.
Discontinued boiler at Yokosuka Business Center
Newly installed air conditioning equipment at Yokosuka Business Center
Boiler to be discontinued by JVCKENWOOD Nagano
New air-conditioners scheduled for installation at JVCKENWOOD Nagano
Transport-related energy-saving initiative (Head Office / Yokohama Business Center / JVCKENWOOD Creative Media)
The Head Office, Yokohama Business Center, and JVCKENWOOD Creative Media use waste plastic compressors to reduce waste plastic to 1/5 its original volume (80% compression) prior to disposal. The reduced volume in turn reduces the number of times plastic waste is disposed, which reduces exhaust gas emissions and fuel consumption for transporting waste. It also reduces the cost of disposal.
Compressed waste plastic
Waste plastic compressor
Initiatives in design
JVCKENWOOD practices Life Cycle Assessment * (LCA) as necessary in the product planning and design stages to identify and reduce environmental load throughout the lifecycle of the product. LCA strategies are found in various aspects of product design: reduction of power consumption when products are idle and in use, reduction of product and packaging volumes, reduction of size to save on transportation energy, use of recycled materials and biodegradable plastics, and easier replacements and longer lives for consumables.
* Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Quantitative evaluation of the environmental load throughout the lifecycle or at specific stages in the lifecycle (resource extraction, raw material production, product manufacturing, distribution, consumption, disposal, and recycling) of a product or service.
Support for “COOL CHOICE” campaign
In October 2020, the government of Japan issued a declaration that it would achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and in April 2021 announced a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 46% over 2013 levels, with the potential to go as high as 50%. As part of its strategy to achieve this, the government launched the "COOL CHOICE" campaign to encourage people to make smart choices that help combat global warming when they replace products, use services and choose lifestyles. JVCKENWOOD announced its support for "COOL CHOICE" as part of efforts to contribute to SDGs Goal 13 (climate action).
Coverage: All Group companies in Japan and certain overseas companies