Promoting the UT version of the green ICT revolution

Professor Hiroshi Esaki
(Department of Information and Communication Engineering)

Exploring the third wave, i.e., information revolution, through green ICT ---- it is a grand vision conceived by Professor Esaki. The first step towards materializing it is to promote “The University of Tokyo version of the Green ICT Revolution.” He considers that “green ICT is one of the flagship activities in the 21st century” and it is a contribution of information and communication science to the globe and human beings. The concept initiated by Professor Esaki, “Green University of Tokyo IT Project” where IT devices are used to reduce CO₂ emissions and save energy, has attracted international attention such as from United States and its activities are accelerated in consideration of international standards.

Professor Esaki perceives the Internet system as the “nervous system” of real society and advocates a design for the 21st century that allows large number of computers connected via networks and used as cloud computing as if they are a single large and powerful computer so that individual parts can be properly controlled. “Green ICT” is a means to accomplish this view. In other words, it is “energy saving by ICT.”

The goal of this project basing its real field on New Engineering Building No.2 at Hongo Campus of The University of Tokyo (a comprehensive research and education building with 12 stories above the ground and 1 underground story) is to reduce CO₂ by 15% by 2012 and by 50% by 2030. With the aim of CO₂ reduction, industry, university, and research institutes (43 organizations) formed up the consortium and started activities. Professor Esaki played a distinguished role in leading and coordinating a number of organizations. The aim of this project is not limited to R&D of energy saving technology in New Engineering Building No.2. It is focused on applying its outcomes to other universities, educational/research institutes, and public facilities including local governments as well as to overseas.

Green University of Tokyo IT Project is only a small part of Professor Esaki' s research efforts. He has worked on various energy saving and green researches, aspiring to make a paradigm shift in urban design and make information revolution happen from the viewpoint of information and communication engineering.