Energy Saving Events Held at Japanese Professional Baseball Games

The Yomiuri Giants, a Japanese professional baseball team, started on July 26, 2011, an energy-saving event at Giants games held at Tokyo Dome. As part of this event, the 'Hero Car' used to parade the game's MVP around the field after the post-game interview was run on electricity stored in batteries that were charged by pedaling bikes.

The event was held for 15 games between July 26 and August 25, 2011. Five bikes were installed at the "Tokyo Dome Power Station" in the control room on the first-base side. Seven people then pedaled bikes, rotating each inning, with the aim of generating 300 watt-hours of electricity over game. The electricity was stored and used for the Hero Car the following day.

A total of 105 participants for 15 games were selected from over 14,000 public applicants by drawing lots. The participants were admitted for free and pedaled bikes while watching the game. During the game, they were also provided soft drinks for rehydration by Coca-Cola Co., a leading beverage maker, as well as receiving commemorative gifts.

The Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Dome Corp., the stadium operator, have been engaged in power-saving activities since May 3, 2011. To meet restrictions on the use of electricity since July 2011, they aimed to reduce electricity use by about 37-39 percent through the control of lighting, adjustment of air conditioners and generation of electricity at the Stadium in 17 weekday night games played from July 1 to September 22. In other games, they also planned to reduce energy use by about 35-39 percent.

Posted: 2011/11/01 06:00:15 AM