The Go Green Expo, an environmental conference and trade show for business people and consumers, took place over three days at the Los Angeles Convention Center, from Jan. 23-25, 2009. Over these three days a total of 10,400 people attended, with 280 exhibitors showcasing their products and initiatives. Nikkei America Inc. presented a special “Japan Session” through its project, Green Innovation Connect, which is intended to bring innovative Japanese green technology to the attention of the U.S. market in a business-matching opportunity.
The session, officially titled “Emerging Technologies and Innovations for Green Building,” featured an introduction to Green Innovation Connect and four speakers from Noritz, Daikin, Hanwa American and a representative of Shikoku International.
Noritz is the No. 1 tankless water heater manufacturer in the world. Mr. Fernando Castro, representative of the Southern California market for wholesale distributors explained about the advantages of tankless vs. traditional water heaters. Noritz has been developing their product since 1951 but finally entered the U.S. market in 2002. Traditional water heaters waste a lot of energy, and therefore money; they take up valuable space, and the supply of hot water is limited. Tankless water heaters have a longer life cycle, take up less space, and eliminate 50% more energy costs compared with traditional.
Daikin is one of the top producers of refrigeration and cooling systems worldwide. Mr. Ian Robertson introduced the history of the company and some of their products, saying air conditioners make up about 87% of their business. He also explained how Daikin’s energy-efficient heat pumps and the use of solar energy can make a zero-emission house a reality.
Mr. Yoshi Sato from Hanwa American spoke on the company’s involvement with the photovoltaic industry. Photovoltaic systems are used in the creation of solar panels, and Mr. Sato very clearly explained the production of the system from raw materials through finished product. He pointed out how Hanwa can provide consultation and recommendations based on actual equipment and system case studies, for best use in the U.S. market.
Lastly, Mr. Shinya Yamada, an architect and consultant for Shikoku International, gave details on Shikoku’s excellent diatomaceous earth wall coverings, which absorb pollutants and actually purify the air. He also introduced “Green Shade”, a low operations-cost green roof system for cooling buildings and saving energy.
Consumers and aggregators concerned for our environment paid close attention and asked relevant questions, prompting further discussion. By hosting such a session with expert speakers at a major green event, the Green Innovation Connect project was able to take another great step towards its goal of showing United States builders and manufacturers what the technology of Japan can do on this continent.
The session, officially titled “Emerging Technologies and Innovations for Green Building,” featured an introduction to Green Innovation Connect and four speakers from Noritz, Daikin, Hanwa American and a representative of Shikoku International.
Noritz is the No. 1 tankless water heater manufacturer in the world. Mr. Fernando Castro, representative of the Southern California market for wholesale distributors explained about the advantages of tankless vs. traditional water heaters. Noritz has been developing their product since 1951 but finally entered the U.S. market in 2002. Traditional water heaters waste a lot of energy, and therefore money; they take up valuable space, and the supply of hot water is limited. Tankless water heaters have a longer life cycle, take up less space, and eliminate 50% more energy costs compared with traditional.
Daikin is one of the top producers of refrigeration and cooling systems worldwide. Mr. Ian Robertson introduced the history of the company and some of their products, saying air conditioners make up about 87% of their business. He also explained how Daikin’s energy-efficient heat pumps and the use of solar energy can make a zero-emission house a reality.
Mr. Yoshi Sato from Hanwa American spoke on the company’s involvement with the photovoltaic industry. Photovoltaic systems are used in the creation of solar panels, and Mr. Sato very clearly explained the production of the system from raw materials through finished product. He pointed out how Hanwa can provide consultation and recommendations based on actual equipment and system case studies, for best use in the U.S. market.
Lastly, Mr. Shinya Yamada, an architect and consultant for Shikoku International, gave details on Shikoku’s excellent diatomaceous earth wall coverings, which absorb pollutants and actually purify the air. He also introduced “Green Shade”, a low operations-cost green roof system for cooling buildings and saving energy.
Consumers and aggregators concerned for our environment paid close attention and asked relevant questions, prompting further discussion. By hosting such a session with expert speakers at a major green event, the Green Innovation Connect project was able to take another great step towards its goal of showing United States builders and manufacturers what the technology of Japan can do on this continent.
Go Green Expo panelists discuss the latest in green technology.
Go Green Expo, Jan. 23, 2009
Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, Calif.
Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, Calif.