Nissan have been hard at work recently in promoting their environmentally friendly qualities and what they see as the future of mobility. Their Nissan Leaf electric vehicle scooped the 2011 World Car of the Year award and currently ranks as the most efficient EPA certified vehicle in the U.S. for all fuels ever. Not happy with just their environmentally friendly cars however, they have employed some of their leading innovation into their location in Japan, aiming for a zero emission global headquarters.
The building recycles rainwater and even houses a huge magnifying glass on it’s roof that directs sunlight into the building improving the natural lighting. The sunlight also helps in heating of the building and a series of vents are able to regulate the temperature reducing heating and airconditioning costs. The company have created a series of interesting videos for their Nissan Technology Magazine, that feature how 500 solar panels also located on the roof power a storage battery system for electric cars that allow you to “charge up your car at the building whatever the weather.”
Solar storage batteries are certainly a source of interest in Japan at present as energy concerns still linger since the events of 3.11. This type of technology that could allow home owners to capture the sun’s energy and store it to power the home during peak demand, as well as their vehicles, is a key to of what many see as the future of living in the Smart City and what NIssan see as the future of mobility.
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Darrell is a native of the U.K. and has been in Japan since 2002. He consults on innovation and strategy at the 
Great!