Effective Use of Renewable Energy

Initiatives for Utilizing Renewable Energy

Hulic promotes the use of renewable energy power generation equipment through proprietary development and ownership, as an alternative main power source for reducing CO2 emissions.

Additionally, we are installing renewable energy equipment as supplemental power supplies at our properties, and have set the target for the number of capital investments on renewable energy at three investments or more in each year. Results in FY2020 were three.

Proprietary Complete Corporate PPA*4 Model for in-house development and ownership of non-FIT renewable energy power generation equipment

Hulic entered the photovoltaic business using the FIT system*1 in 2012. In 2020, we started developing and using solar photovoltaic equipment that does not use the FIT system (non-FIT). Electricity derived from renewable energy generated by non-FIT power sources will be supplied to our properties by Hulic Property Solution, a Group company retail electricity supplier (Power Producer and Supplier or PPS). In this way, we aim to achieve RE100*2 by 2024. Further, we aim to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from all Hulic-owned properties*3 in 2030.

  • *1A feed-in tariff (FIT) system for electricity that requires utility companies to purchase electricity generated using renewable sources for a certain period of time at a price specified by the national government.
    FIT electricity is not considered renewable energy as a portion of the cost of the electricity purchased by a utility company is added to the consumer’s bill so the tax payer must bear some of the costs. Therefore, achieving the 100% goal with FIT electricity is not considered RE100 by definition.
  • *2RE100 is an abbreviation of “Renewable Electricity 100%” and is an international initiative in which member companies aim to use 100% renewable energy of the energy required for their business activities.
  • *3Excludes single-tenant lease properties, residential properties and unmanaged shared properties for which we do not manage energy, and real estate for sale.
  • *4A long-term contract scheme under which a business agrees to purchase electricity directly from an energy generator.
Solar photovoltaic equipment that does not use the FIT system
(Saitama Prefecture)

Small Hydroelectric Plants

As solar power does not generate electricity at night and the amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the weather, we are developing and operating our own small hydroelectric plants that can generate electricity both day and night regardless of the weather from long-term perspective with the goal of developing energy resilience (a stable power supply from varied power sources).

In May 2021, Hulic’s first small hydroelectric was completed and began operations in Kawabamura, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture. Mindful of the location and conditions, a range of autonomous, electrification, and remote technologies were introduced. These initiatives have resulted in a state-of-the-art power plant expected to operate at higher operating rates than conventional small hydroelectric power plants.

From the perspective of the energy mix, Hulic plans to continue developing and using small hydroelectric power generators.

  • *1Small-scale hydroelectric power generation with an output of 1,000 kW or less. As it generates electricity stably day and night, it is considered to be a stable power supply with relatively high operating rates among renewable energy facilities.
    Note that small hydroelectric plans will not be used as renewable power sources as at 2030 since they use the FIT system. We plan to supply renewable energy to its properties after the FIT period has ended (20 years hence).
Kawabadani small hydroelectric plant water intake

Kawabadani small hydroelectric plant overview

  • ・Water source: Usune River in Kawabamura, Gunma Prefecture
  • ・Overall length: 1.65 km
  • ・Height difference: Approximately 120m
  • ・Power generation scale: 199kW
  • ・Annual power generation: Approximately 1.3GWh (equivalent to 360 households in terms of annual power consumed by ordinary households)
  • ・Hulic plans to supply electricity to its properties after the FIT period has ended (20 years hence)

Small Hydroelectric Plant Construction (Image)

Photovoltaic Generation System

We have been making effort to reduce CO2 emissions by installing a photovoltaic cell module on the rooftop of buildings and use solar power as a supplemental energy source. Among the completed buildings in 2020, Rissei Garden Hulic Kyoto(power generating capacity 5.5kW) and Hulic Ryogoku River Center(ditto 5.0kW) are equipped with photovoltaic panels.

Phtovoltaic panels installed on the roof top of Hulic Ryogoku River Center

Actual power generation in FY2020

Property　Name Amount of
power generated
[kWh/Year]
Hulic Kaminarimon Building 86,583
Hulic Shimurasakaue 10,915
Hulic Head Office Building 10,751
Hulic Osaka Building 9,596
Hulic Kojimachi Building 6,519
Hulic Hachioji Building 5,751
Hulic Fuchu Building 5,703
Hulic Ginza Building 4,820
Hulic Aoyama Building 4,391
Kyoto Shijotakakura Central Building 4,013
Other 16,730
Total 165,773

Installation of Solar Heat Panels

Hulic's hotels, multi-unit apartments and buildings that require large amounts of hot water adopt a solar water heating system, which uses solar panels to collect the sun's heat. Hot water created using this system is supplied to residential units, dormitories and kitchens, among other facilities inside a building.
At HULIC SQUARE TOKYO, the solar heat collection panels are located on the rooftop as a supplemental heating source for hot water system of THE GATE HOTEL TOKYO by HULIC and has been contributing in decreasing CO2 emissions.

Solar heat collection panels
(HULIC SQUARE TOKYO)

Installation of Photovoltaic Panels on an Exterior Wall

The Hulic Ogikubo Building is open to a major arterial road on its south side, providing ideal conditions for sunlight exposure. Capitalizing on this, we used a unique and ex tremely thin photovoltaic panel that is sandwiched between glass panes to create a building material for the facade (front of the building). The panels form part of a 4.8 kW system capable of generating 2,600 kWh of electricity annually.

The exterior wall with photovoltaic panels (Hulic Ogikubo Building)

Wind-power Generation System

Hulic Residence Soka installed a hybrid power generator. This power generator also uses wind power (wind speed to start generating power = 1.2m/sec) and solar power. Supplying electricity to street lights, which illuminate the street along the east side of the river during the night, the generated power contributes to the surrounding area.

Sustainability
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