The Sanyo Ark: Covered in 5,000 solar panels, the edifice is a working power-generation system which also houses a solar museum. But is it a genuine statement of Sanyo’s ideology or just a PR stunt?
The electronics giant is turning to rechargeable batteries and waterless washing machines, writes David McNeill in Tokyo
RIDING THE Shinkansen Bullet Train out of Tokyo along the eastern industrial corridor towards Osaka has long been one of the best and most pleasurable ways to experience Japan’s high-tech economy. Electronics giant Sanyo has added another attraction to the route: as the train barrels along at 270km/h (168m/h), it passes Sanyo’s Solar Ark, a futuristic 15m (50ft) -wide solar building that rises out of the landscape like a giant black boombox near the industrial city of Nagoya.
Simultaneously a working power-generation system and a monument to solar energy, the ark’s surface is made up of 5,000 solar panels that help power the entire facility. Inside, a museum to solar power attracts thousands of schoolchildren a year, part of what Sanyo – with a straight corporate face – calls an attempt “to live in harmony with the earth”.
The company has just emerged from a bruising battle with its founding family, ending what the Nikkei business newspaper called “six decades of nepotism”. In a spring-cleaning that shocked Japan’s staid corporate world, president Toshimasa Iue was ousted last year along with Tomoyo Nonaka, his hand-picked chairwoman. Iue’s father, 75-year-old chairman Satoshi, went the year before.
Shareholders rebelled after Sanyo posted a record net loss of about €1.16 billion in 2005, following earthquake damage to its Niigata semiconductor plant and failed investments in liquid crystal panels and microchips.
Analysts also believe that Nonaka, one of the very few women to run a Japanese company, pushed Sanyo’s conservative board too far, by attempting an ambitious restructuring linked to the environmental theme of Gaia, which holds that the planet is a self-regulating, interrelated organism. In a corporate blurb more Greenpeace than mass manufacturer, Sanyo now says it is “committed to listening to Gaia’s voice and engaging in activities that are beneficial to life and the Earth”.
Some observers have been startled at this fulsome embrace of environmentalism by a company known mainly for dour if dedicated service to churning out batteries and consumer appliances.
Long-time Tokyo tech-watcher J Mark Lytle calls it “the mother of all corporate makeovers”. Yurika Ayukawa, a leading environmental consultant who gave a presentation to Sanyo’s board in 2005, recalls that the Gaia concept was “not popular at all” among the company’s directors.
But even she acknowledges that this may be more than just a case of environmental opportunism. Sanyo’s rebranding coincided with the release of the Eneloop, a range of rechargeable batteries that have clocked up 60 million sales in less than three years and grabbed half the market for that product niche with two simple innovations: they last much longer than anything else on the shelves, and come to the shops already recharged.
The Eneloop series has expanded to include reusable solar chargers and other products, and Sanyo now makes battery packs for Nintendo’s mega-hit Wii. Expect the rest of the world to follow: just 400 million rechargeable batteries are sold globally out of total disposable sales of 40 billion, and Sanyo wants a much bigger share. And it is going after the burgeoning market for hybrid-electric car batteries in deals with Honda, Ford and Volkswagen.
Then there is Aqua, a range of state-of-the-art washing machines that clean clothes with little or no water or detergent. The trick is a drum that converts oxygen to ozone, which destroys bacteria and dirt, and recycles ozone-purified water from the rinse cycle – or even from last night’s bath. The Aqua 3,000 doesn’t come cheap – it’s about €1,300 – but its environmental appeal, and the promise of a €100 cut in annual water bills have helped make it a hit in Japan, with 210,000 units sold.
Of course nobody, least of all Sanyo, is considering a full-on Gaia revolution, which would entail abandoning our entire modern lifestyles. Still, these are the kind of innovative products that put Japan on the map, and they have helped vindicate the rebranding decision. The company plans more of the same, earmarking 70 per cent of €2.45 billion in capital spending over the next three years on solar cells, batteries, and components, as it continues to scale down production of mobile phones, white goods and LCD displays.
Solar technology, in particular, is seen as a key growth area, with €477 million set aside for capital spending on that technology alone. Production of solar panels at Sanyo’s European assembly base in Hungary will triple in the next few years. “‘Think Gaia’ is genuine,” insists Sanyo spokesman Aaron Fowles, who says that the entire company is aiming to become “carbon-neutral” by 2010.
He urges those sceptical of Sanyo’s conversion, to consider the Gaia opposite: the “blind pursuit” of convenience and comfort: “‘Think Gaia’ is more than merely a ‘green’ or ‘eco’ initiative. It really is a focus on how we can contribute to make life and the Earth be in harmony.” The rebranding comes at a crucial time. Although Sanyo returned to profitability this year, its financial problems in 2005 forced it to go cap in hand to a consortium of lenders, who bought 300 billion yen (€1,925 billion) of preferred stock – about 70 per cent of the company’s value.
So far, the new management has kept the shareholders on board, but critics will continue to pick at Sanyo’s new-found environmental credentials. The Solar Ark provides an irresistible symbol of the company’s rebranding: is it genuinely saving power or just a giant PR stunt? According to its website, the ark’s solar panels generate 530,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year, providing power to plants within the complex, and saving money on energy bills. But Sanyo doesn’t say how much money.
Technology writer Tim Hornyak urges caution: “It’s easy to bamboozle consumers with slogans. Big companies that have these campaigns are the very ones that are trying to block governments from curbing environmental emissions, so it behooves us to look beyond these slogans, and see what are they actually doing.”
Like many other observers, and companies, in Japan, he will be watching to see if Sanyo pulls off its green revolution.
Think Gaia, think rechargeable batteries,..
With this charger / booster, these eneloop batteries can be charged from USB and it can power USB equipments
The good thing is… I have enough eneloop batteries to feed, since I no longer have cameras that take AA batteries!
So, looks like C and D eneloops are right around the corner. I am talking with Sanyo about them now. Until i know more from the horses mouth read this.
This may be for our NON USA customers but we shall see.
eneloop offered in full line-up of sizes from AAA to D, Charger can charge all sizes!
Tokyo, – SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announces today new additions to the ‘eneloop universe’ products: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’ batteries and a Universal Charger, to be sold in Japan starting from September 12, 2008.
These much-awaited C- and D-size ‘eneloop’ batteries expand the line-up of eneloop, which currently includes AA- and AAA-sizes, with the AA-size eneloop able to be used with adapters (spacers) for conversion to C- and D-sizes. ‘eneloop’ batteries combine the benefits of dry cell batteries by coming pre-charged*1 with the economic and environmental benefits of rechargeable batteries, as it is rechargeable up to 1,000 times*2. With the new C- and D-size eneloop, SANYO provides an increase in capacity and longer power supply for C- and D-sized eneloop of 1.6 times and 3 times (respectively) compared to AA eneloop and ‘spacers’.
The announced ‘Universal Charger’ can charge all ‘eneloop’ battery sizes from the smallest, AAA, to the largest, D. With advanced charging technology including voltage monitoring to prevent overcharging, the Universal Charger also has LED lights to indicate charge status.
Main Features: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’
• Provide longer power supply with increased capacity for the C- and D-size eneloop batteries, about 1.6 times and 3 times respectively compared with AA-size eneloop and spacers
• Equipped with an overheating protection function for safe and reliable use
• Exterior tube is antibacterial*4, designed to suit a wide range of consumer and commercial needs
Main Features: Universal Charger
• Charge ‘eneloop’ of all sizes, from the smallest, AAA, to largest, D, with a single charger
• Voltage of each battery is monitored and controlled by a built-in microcomputer to prevent overcharging
• 8 separate LED status light displays battery charge state for confirmation at a glance
1 Varies depending on storage conditions, but typically can be used up to 2 years after manufacture without recharging
2 An indication based on JIS C8708 2007(7.4) testing method on battery life.
3 Open price does not set manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
4 Antibacterial agent: inorganic antibacterial agent, processing method: print, processed part: exterior package, Testing agency: Japan Spinners Inspecting Foundation, SIAA registration number: JP0122085A0002V. Testing method: JIS Z 2801
Main Features: C- and D-size ‘eneloop’
1. Provide longer power supply with increased capacity for the C- and D-size eneloop batteries, about 1.6 times and 3 times respectively compared with AA-size eneloop and spacers
- Change from AA-sized eneloop used with spacers to actual C- and D-size eneloop
- Increases storage capacity, translating to longer supply of power battery/spacer combination
- Capacity for D-size increased approximately 3 times, capacity for C-size increased by 1.6 times
2. Equipped with an overheating protection function for safe and reliable use
- To protect against overheating, an ‘Overheating prevention function*5’ with a built-in current protection device (a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device*6) has been adopted
- New function designed to protect against abnormal heating and electrolyte leakage
- Designed to meet needs with high reliability for devices ranging from children’s toys to commercial applications
3. Exterior tube is antibacterial*4, designed to suit a wide range of domestic and commercial needs
- Exterior tube encasing the battery cell is antibacterial*4, offering sanitation and cleanliness to eneloop’s economic and environmental benefits
- In addition to the new batteries, the previous AA – and AAA-sized eneloop have also been updated
- New exterior makes battery suitable for standard consumer applications as well as offices and commercial situations where handled by multiple people
Main Features: ‘Universal Charger’
1. Charge ‘eneloop’ of all sizes, from the smallest, AAA, to largest, D, with a single charger
- Built-in four (4) total C- and D-size eneloop charging slots, as well as four (4) 2 -pocket AA- and AAA-size (paired) eneloop charging slots
- Simultaneously charge up to 4 C- or D-sized eneloop in the upper four slots and up to 8 AA- or AAA-sized eneloop in the lower slots
- Charges AA- and AAA-size eneloop up to twice as fast*7
- The positive terminal is easily adjustable to switch between C- and D-size eneloop, as well as AA- and AAA-size eneloop
- Mix and match sizes for simultaneous charging
- Comes with cover to protect for foreign objects disrupting the charging batteries
2. Voltage of each battery is monitored and controlled by a built-in microcomputer to prevent overcharging.
- Adopts SANYO’s time-proven rapid charger ‘peak-cut method’ to control charging
- System allows the voltage change of each battery to be individually monitored, halting charging as peak voltage is detected (when fully charged)
- Designed to prevent batteries from being overcharged or damaged by charging
3. 8 separate LED status light displays battery charge state for confirmation at a glance
- Charger equipped with 8 lamps (or one for each charging slot)
- Lamps display charge status in red and blue
- Easy to see LED lamps, confirm charge state in a glance
Background and Supplemental Information
Since the ‘eneloop’ was released in November, 2005, it has received high market acclaim as shown by the numbers, having shipped a cumulative total of 50 million cells in 60 countries worldwide (as of April 30, 2008), for its user-friendliness as the rechargeable batteries come pre-charged*1 when sold and as they are rechargeable for use up to 1000 times*2. Previously, the use of C- and D- size batteries were enabled with adaptors (spacers) that allowed the users to use a AA-size battery as a C-/D-size battery. However, to serve customer needs*8 related to using the batteries longer and without having to load the battery into the provided spacers, the lineup will be expanded to include the C- and D-sized ‘eneloop’. Additionally, to meet all charging needs from domestic to commercial, the ‘Universal Charger’, which can charge up to 4 C- / D-size, and up to 8 AA- / AAA-size ‘eneloop’ batteries, is being released. SANYO will continue to offer an expanded lineup of the ‘eneloop’ series in its global effort to make the new lifestyle of reusing batteries more convenient and accessible.
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General Description:
Sanyo Eneloop is a special type of low self-discharge nickel-metal hydride (LSD NiMH) rechargeable battery first introduced by Sanyo in November 2005. Eneloop batteries are one of the most environmentally friendly and long lasting batteries available to consumers. Sanyo Eneloop is backed by revolutionary technology that separates itself from the conventional NiMH Batteries. Sanyo Eneloop cells have considerable advantages over the conventional NiMH Battery. It overcomes a major disadvantage (high self discharge) of conventional NiMH Battery. A conventional NiMH Battery can be charged only up to 500 times and looses about 10-15% of its charge on the first day itself. In contrast the Sanyo Eneloop retain up to 85% of its charge even after one year. Not only that but they can be recharged up to 1000 times. DepotEco.com offers an excellent deal on this environmentally friendly Sanyo Eneloop Power Pack. Sanyo Eneloop ready to use Power Pack is a super saver, very economical pack with loads of accessories. It mainly consists of all the types general purpose batteries you will ever need. The pack contains 8, yes that’s right EIGHT standard AA sized cells and 4 standard AAA sized Sanyo Eneloop cells. Accessories include one 4 bay overnight charger, two C size cell adapters and two D size cell adapters.
Let’s have a detailed look at some of the features, advantages and disadvantages of Conventional NiMH and LSD NiMH Batteries.
Conventional NiMH Battery:
Conventional NiMH Batteries were first introduced in 1980’s but the commercialization occurred in mid 1990’s
High Energy & Power to Weight ratios. Energy/weight about 70 Watt Hr/kg; Power/weight about 900 Watts/kg
High Energy to Size ratio about 250 Watt Hr/L
Nominal voltage of conventional NiMH Battery is approximately about 1.2 Volts per cell (1.45 Volts “hot off” charger)
Conventional NiMH Battery has low internal resistance
Conventional NiMH Battery have ability to deliver consistently high currents
Typical life span of conventional NiMH Batteries is about 500 charge discharge cycles
But the major disadvantage of conventional NiMH Battery is high self discharge rate; typically of the order of 1% per day. The first day discharge is considerably higher typically of the order of 10% to 15%
The main cause of high self discharge rate for conventional NiMH Battery is mainly because of the positive electrode reduction reaction due to dissolved negative electrode material, decomposition of the positive electrode and “shuttle effect” of nitrogenous compounds. Researchers at Sanyo found out that the self discharge mechanisms can be significantly suppressed by using a super lattice Hydrogen absorbing alloy that is free from Co & Mn as a negative electrode and by improving the material used for separator. More improvements were achieved by change in electrolyte from KOH to NaOH rich electrolyte. All this gave birth to a totally new type of rechargeable NiMH batteries. Commonly called as low self discharge nickel-metal hydride i.e. LSD NiMH. Due to the low self discharge, cells are often marketed as pre-charged or ready to use rechargeable batteries.
Sanyo Eneloop LSD NiMH features all the advantages of conventional NiMH Battery over and above here are typical features of Eneloop LSD NiMH battery. Sanyo Eneloop LSD NiMH Battery:
Pre charged and ready to use. Note: Sanyo pre charges cells up to 75% of capacity
Twice the typical NiMH life span. Eneloop LSD NiMH battery can last for about 1000 charge discharge cycles
When fully charged batteries are stored typically at room temperature (20 deg-C) Eneloop NiMH batteries retain about 85% of the full capacity even after one year in storage
Inside Sanyo Eneloop Power Pack ’suit case’, a well organized, beautiful white colored blister type content holder secures all the contents nicely. The container is divided in to three sections. Placed centrally is a 4 bay charger. Four Sanyo Eneloop AA batteries are placed on either side of charger along with one C size & one D size battery adapter. Four AAA sized cells sit just below the charger. Overall the available space utilized in almost optimum configuration. Printed copy of charger manual is also included. It’s hiding behind the charger.
Sanyo NiMH Battery Charger: The charger included in Sanyo Eneloop Power Pack is 4 bay overnight charger. The charging current per channel is about 300 mA for AA sized Eneloop Battery where as it is 150 mA for AAA sized battery. The charger is designed to charge cells in pairs. It takes about 10 hours to fully charge the Eneloop NiMH AA Battery. The charge time may vary depending upon battery condition and temperature. The LED indicators placed at the bottom most portion of charger inform user the state of the cells. Flashing LED’s imply cells are currently charging. When the cells are fully charged, LED’s are in steady state switched ON position. No LED glow means either the battery is inserted incorrectly or power is switched off or there is no battery inserted. Here are a few pictures of charger.
On back side of Sanyo 4 bay charger, you will notice a foldable wall plug; no wires to worry for. Below the foldable wall plug, there is embossing of important information about the charger. The Sanyo NiMH charger is specified as “Class 2″ charger with Model #NC-MQN06. Charger accepts input range of 100 to 240 Volts AC at 50/60 Hz. It typically consumes 8 Watts of power. The output charging current for Sanyo Eneloop 4 bay charger is 300 mA for AA cell and 150 mA for AAA cell. There is a precautionary note informing user to read instructions carefully before using the equipment. The charger is designed to charge NiMH type cells only. The charger is manufactured in China by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
How to Charge using the included 4 bay Sanyo NiMH Charger Note: These instructions are taken straight from the charger manual.
1) This charger is designed to charge 2 or 4 pcs of AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries. AA and AAA batteries can be charged at the same time.
2) If you want to charge 4 pcs of AA or AAA, put batteries into the charger compartments, taking care to observe polarity (+/-) as indicated inside the charger.
3) If only charging 2 batteries at a time, place the batteries in the left or right side compartments of the charger.
4) Swing plug out and plug into AC100-240V outlet.
5) Confirm that the indication lights begin to flash. Do not plug in upside down. If plugged in upside down, it will finish charging before it is fully charged.
6) When charging is complete, the indicator lights will turn on constantly. Refer to charging chart for typical charge time.
7) After charging is done, unplug the charger from the outlet and swing plug back into place.
Sanyo NiMH Battery Size Comparison: From Left to Right arranged are AAA sized Sanyo Eneloop Battery, AA sized Sanyo Eneloop Battery, C Cell Adapter & D Cell Adapter.
Test Results :
Sanyo Eneloop AA Batteries Testing Basis: Minimum specified capacity for Sanyo Eneloop AA sided batteries is 1900 mAH where as typical capacity is 2000 mAH. For this, out of 8 AA Sanyo Eneloop Batteries supplied, 4 batteries were randomly selected for the 1 Amp (1/2 C) current draw test and remaining 4 were selected for higher 2 Amp (1C) current draw. Normally, the manufacturers rate the cells at 1/5 C or 0.2 C where capacity of cells appears to be more. But the 0.2 C test is relatively impractical considering the applications in which these cells will be used. Normally, for the typical applications of Sanyo Eneloop Batteries, the current draw is of the order of 1Amp or more.
1 Amp Test : As Sanyo ships cells pre-charged to 75%, for the 1 Amp test, it is required to charge the cells completely before testing. So, all 4 batteries were charged overnight prior to performing the test. It should be noted that this was the first charging of cells. i.e. Forming charge/discharge cycles were not performed. These tests were carried out using West Mountain Radio CBA II. Here are the test results.
Noted that since the cells were not given forming charge/discharge cycles, there exists variation in the capacities. Yet, all 4 cells performed quite well; in fact none of the cells were below 1800 mAH. Even after just a single charge, the cells performed within the specifications. This is an achievement in itself. Especially considering the 1 Amp (1/2 C) discharge.
2 Amp Test : The remainder of 4 Eneloop cells were subjected to three charge discharge forming cycles. The 2 Amp (1 C) current draw test was then performed and here are the results.
Combined Test Results : Here are the combined test results. You can see how closely capacities match for 1 Amp (1/2 C) and 2 Amp (1 C) test indicating excellent performance of Sanyo Eneloop Batteries.
People have asked me why we are selling Sanyo eneloop batteries on a green products e-commerce web site? That’s Easy. 1 eneloop = 1000 alkline batteries. And Sanyo has made sure they are recyclable. If you are in Santa Barbara bring in your old NiMH or orther rechargeabel batteries to 2941 De La Vina and we will recycle them for you. eneloops are the best all around NiMH rechargeable battery we have ever used, when we found them we decided to make a mission out of getting them to the public. They do cost a bit more than other brands of rechargeable batteries but they out last all of them by leaps and bounds. So eneloops are green because they help reduce the amount alkaline batteries in landfills polluting the earth.
Long Storage Life: Batteries have a property to release the stored energy in small amounts over time (self-discharge). Improvement in self-discharge characteristics enable eneloop to be “ready to use out of the package” and to have long shelf life. It keeps 85% of the initial charge after 1 year, so it can be used now or as an emergency battery.
The Sanyo Ark: Covered in 5,000 solar panels, the edifice is a working power-generation system which also houses a solar museum. But is it a genuine statement of Sanyo’s ideology or just a PR stunt?
