Wartsila
Date: 2021-02-10
Helsinki-headquartered Wartsila Corporation reports it has contracted to install a 10MW battery energy storage system at the Eolica Coromuel Wind Farm near the city of La Paz, Mexico. The 50MW wind energy project is under construction by San Diego-based by Eurus Energy America Corp. -- part of the Tokyo-headquartered Eurus Energy Group -- which operates wind and solar farms globally.

Wartsilia will provide a grid-connected battery storage system and long-term servicing to the system including remote monitoring, performance guarantees and replacing and repairing components as needed. Wartsilia will use the Finland-headquartered energy storage system integrator's recently launched GridSolv Max containerised lithium-ion battery storage and run on the company's GEMS energy management software platform.

Mexico is aiming to reach 30 pct renewables by 2021 and 35 by 2024. (Source: Wartsilia, PR, Energy Storage, 8 Feb., 2021) Contact: Eurus Energy Holdings, +81-3-5404-5300 / FAX: +81-3-5404-5301, www.eurus-energy.com; Eurus Energy America, Eurus Energy America, Nick Henriksen, VP, 858-638-7115, 858-638-7125 -- fax; info@eurusenergy.com, www.eurusenergy.com; Wartsila, www.wartsila.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wartsila,  Eurus Energy,  Wind,  Energy Storage,  

Ammonia
Date: 2021-02-10
In Tokyo, Japan's government and corporate sector have reported drawn up plans to use ammonia, which doesn't emit carbon dioxide when burned, as a fuel for thermal power plants. The government considers ammonia a next-generation fuel, along with hydrogen, in its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

The use of ammonia plan as devised by officials of the industry ministry, electric power companies and machinery makers, calls for using 3 million tpy of ammonia mixed with coal in 2030, rising to to 30 million tpy by 2050. (Source: NHK World, 8 Feb., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cabon Emissions,  Ammonia,  Coal,  

NEDO, IHI Corporation
Date: 2021-01-06
Tokyo-headquartered IHI Corporation, f.k.a. Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.,reports it has developed technology for the co-firing of natural gas and ammonia for thermal power generation. Ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide when burnt and could potentially slash CO2 emissions by more than half.

According to Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which commissioned IHI to develop the technology, the development marks the first time a 60 pct ammonia fuel has been used in a large power-generating facility.

As previously reported, the Japanese government is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and considers ammonia as a fuel to help achieve that goal. (Source: IHI, NHK World News, 28 Dec., 2020) Contact: IHI, +81-3-6204-7800, www.ihi.co.jp/en; NEDOO, www.nedo.go.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News NEDO,  CO2 Emissions,  Amonia,  Alternative Fuel,  Green Fuel,  

Japan
Date: 2020-12-28
Last week in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga confirmed his government's goal of goal of generating more than half of the country's electricity primarily from offshore wind and other renewable energy resources and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Japan also aims to use nuclear and thermal power plants with carbon capture technology (CCS) to cover 30 to 40 pct of the nations electricity demand. Ammonia and hydrogen technologies are expected to supply roughly 10 pct of the country's power needs.

Japan was the world's sixth-largest greenhouse gas emitter in 2017. (Source: ADP, Manila Times, Various Media, 27 Dec., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan,  Renewable Energy,  Offshore Wind,  Carbon Neutral,  

Eurus Energy
Date: 2020-12-23
Tokyo-headquartered Eurus Energy Group reports its 1.98-MW Neipu Solar Power Plant solar park in Taiwan has begun commercial operations.

The PV park was developed by Energy Investment Corp. which holds a 20 pct stake in the park, while Eurus Energy and Farglory Life Insurance Co Ltd hold 40 pct each. (Source: Eurus Energy, PR, Renewables Now, 22 Dec., 2020) Contact: Eurus Energy Holdings, +81-3-5404-5300 / FAX: +81-3-5404-5301www.eurus-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eurus Energy ,  PV,  Solar,  

Idemitsu
Date: 2020-12-02
Tokyo-headquartered oil refiner Idemitsu reports plans to begin commercial operations of a 50MW biomass power generation plant at its Tokuyama petrochemical complex in western Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture in December 2022.

The plant will initially use roughly 230,000 tpy of imported wood pellets and palm kernel shells to produce around 360GWh/yr of electricity, which will be sold under the country's feed-in-tariff scheme to meet demand of around 100,000 households. The company plans to eventually shift the fuel to domestically-supplied woody biomass, such as thinned and waste wood.

Idemitsu currently participates in small-scale woody biomass power ventures, including the 6.25MW Tosa and 7.34MW Fukui projects, and is developing technology to produce black pellets from sorghum. (Source: Idemitsu, PR, Argus, 30 Nov., 2020) Contact: Idemitsu, ,www.idemitsu.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  Sorghum,  Biomass Pellet,  Wood Pellet,  

Japan Climate Change
Date: 2020-11-16
In Tokyo, in recent Nikkei survey of 731 Japanese businesses, 42 pct of respondents said they reduced direct greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2019, with 20 companies claiming a decrease of 20 pct or more.

One in three companies said they aim to further curb emissions in fiscal 2020, while 45 pct said they are intent on reducing their environmental impact throughout their entire supply chains -- 4 pct more than in the previous poll.

The government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is aiming for carbon-neutrality by 2050. (Source: Nikkei Asia, 16 Nov., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Japan Airlines
Date: 2020-11-06
In Tokyo, Japan Airlines (JAL) reports it plans to regularly refuel aircraft connecting San Francisco and Japan with recycled aviation fuel made from household garbage produced by Fulcrum BioEnergy, starting as early as fiscal 2022.

The airline is aiming to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 by introducing advanced jets and fuels and purchasing emission credits from other airlines.

JAL invested roughly $8.6 million in Fulcrum in 2018. (Source: JAL, PR, Nov., 2020) Contact: Fulcrum Bioenergy, Rick Barraza, VP, (925) 224-8244, rbarraza@fulcrum-bioenergy.com, www.fulcrum-bioenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan Airlines,  Fulcrum BioEnergy,  Aviation Biofuel ,  

Japan
Date: 2020-10-28
In Tokyo, recently sworn-in Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has pledged his country will achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In a policy speech, Suga noted he intends to make a sustainable economy a pillar of his growth strategy and emphasized the need to shift away from fossil fuels to counter climate change as an opportunity rather than a burden. Under Japan's current energy plan, 56 pct of its energy requirements are met from fossil fuels. (Source: DD News, 27 Oct., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan Carbon Emissions,  

JERA
Date: 2020-10-16
In Tokyo, Japan's largest power generation utility JERA Co. Inc. reports it will close all of its "inefficient" coal power plants by 2030, as part of a roadmap to reach zero CO2 emissions by 2050. To that end, JERA plans to: cut carbon emission intensity of its thermal power plants by 20 pct; develop renewable energy resources such as offshore wind; gradually increase the ratio of mixed combustion of fossil fuels, ammonia and hydrogen at its power plants; and improve efficiencies.

Eighty pct of Japan's electricity presently comes from thermal power generation, which accounts for 40 pct of the country's total carbon emissions. (Source: JERA, PR 15 Oct., 2020)Contact: JERA, www.jera.co.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News JERA,  Carbon Emissions,  

CO2
Date: 2020-10-14
At this week's Tokyo International Conference on Carbon Recycling, Japan and the United States inked a memorandum of cooperation to accelerate the research and development of technology to recycle carbon dioxide and turn it into fuel and chemical materials and share the results as part of their efforts to fight global warming.

The two countries recognize "carbon recycling as one of the future's most promising options to achieve carbon neutral or net-negative carbon emissions and promote economic growth," the memorandum notes.

Japan sees the technology involving the capture, storage, utilization and recycling of carbon dioxide as a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing a stable energy source, according to the memorandum. (Source: Mainichi Japan, 13 Oct., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  CCS,  CCU,  GHGs,  Carbon Emissions,  

Toyota, Panasonic
Date: 2020-10-07
In Tokyo, Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc. reports it will produce lithium-ion batteries for hybrid cars at a Panasonic factory in Tokushima prefecture, Japan, starting in 2022. The plant is expected to produce batteries for roughly 500,000 vehicles a year.

Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc is 51 pct owned by Toyota with Panasonic, one of the world's largest battery makers, holding the remaining stake. (Source: Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc., Automotive News Europe, Oct., 2020)Contact: Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc., www.p2enesol.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Toyota,  Panasonic,  Li-Ion,  Lithium Ion Battery,  Energy Storage,  

J-Power,Pertamina
Date: 2020-09-23
In Tokyo, Electric Power Development Co. Ltd (J-Power) and consulting company Japan NUS Co. are reporting a planned 4-year under-ground carbon dioxide storage demonstration project at the Gundih gas field in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The project is in cooperation with the Indonesian government and state-owned oil company PT Pertamina and is expected to cost several billion yen (¥1 billion = $9.56 million +-).

The project will "provide an opportunity for domestic companies to promote their high-level technology" for reducing CO2 emissions. About 300,000 tpy of CO2 are generated in the process of gas purification at the Gundih field, according to J-Power.

Japan has targeted a 26 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2013 levels and Indonesia is aiming for a 29 pct reduction from the business-as-usual level. (Source: J-Power, Mainichi Daily, 21 Sept., 2020) Contact: J-Power, + 03-3546-2211, +03-3546-9532 -- fax, www.jpower.co.jp/english; Japan NUS Co.,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  CO2,  CCS,  J-Power,  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Date: 2020-07-31
Tokyo-headquartered Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) are reporting a 50/50 a joint venture to develop offshore wind projects off the coast of Hokkaido, in Japan.

MHI has established a presence within offshore wind via the joint venture MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, which is expanding into the Asian Pacific.

CIP is a global fund management company within renewable infrastructure investments established in 2012, having seven funds with approximately €10bn under management, investing in offshore wind, onshore wind, power transmission, biomass, energy-from-waste and solar projects. CIP entered the Japanese renewable energy market in 2018. (Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, renews, 30 July, 2020) Contact: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Kristina Negendahl Jessen, +45 70 70 51 51, cip@cip.dk, www.cip.dk; MHI , www.mhi.com/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-ltd-global-website; MHI Vestas, Philippe Kavafyan, CEO, +45 97 30 00 00, vestas@vestas.com, www.vestas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News MHI Vestas,  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,  Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners,  Japan Offshore Wind,  Offshore Wind,  Vestas,  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Date: 2020-07-27
MHI Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co ., division of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is reporting receipt of an order from Clean Authority of Tokyo to upgrade equipment and energy efficiency of the authority's 900 metric tpd, 22-Mw Minato waste-to-energy plant.

In addition to plant heavy equipment renovations and replacements as needed, the facility will also be upgraded to utilize new motors and inverters for electric components to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by around 4 pct annually. The ¥7.6 billion ($72.2 million U.S.) project is scheduled for completion in January 2023. (Source: MHI Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Contact: MHI Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., www.mhiec.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mitsubishi Heavy Industries news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

University of Tokyo
Date: 2020-07-17
Nine Japanese companies are reported to have launched the Ship Carbon Recycling Working Group (WG), within the University of Tokyo's Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group (CCR), aimed at the utilization of "methanation" technology and liquefaction of synthetic methane for use as a zero-emission marine fuel.

The participating members include EX Research Institute Ltd, Hitachi Zosen Corp., Japan Marine United Corp., JFE Steel Corp., JGC Corp., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), Nippon Steel Corp.; and Sanoyas Shipbuilding Corp. (Source: Mitsui OSK Line, PR, Dry Bulk, 16 July, 2020) Contact: University of Tokyo Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, +81-3-5452-6008, 6009, +81-3-5452-6071 - fax, www.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/news/2607

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Marine Fuel news,  Maritime Fuel news,  

Japan Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-07-15
In Tokyo, the Japan Ministry of the Environment is reporting the country's the electric power industry, which accounts for 40 pct of Japan's carbon emissions, will miss its target for cutting CO2 emissions by 2030.

The announcement noted the industry's CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants would likely exceed the 2030 emissions target by 50 million tonnes, equivalent to 5 pct of the country's emission goal in 2030, (Source: Japan Ministry of Environment, Reuters, 14 July, 2020) Contact: Japan Ministry of Environment, Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_the_Environment_(Japan)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Japan Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  

JERA,Ademe Investissement,Ideol
Date: 2020-06-22
Japanese utility JERA reports it has partnered with France's Ademe Investissement and Ideol SA to develop at least 2 GW of global floating offshore wind projects over the next five years.

The three firms will finance the development phase of several floating offshore wind projects all of which will be based on Ideol's high-local-content technology

"JERA combines the strengths of the Tokyo Electric Power Group and the Chubu Electric Power Group, JERA can fulfill the public interest of providing internationally competitive energy to Japan while ensuring a strong position on the increasingly competitive international energy market," according to its website. (Source: JERA, Website, 22 June, 2020) Contact: JERA, www.jera.co.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ademe Investissement news,  JERA news,  Floating Wind news,  Ideol news,  

TEPCO
Date: 2020-06-08
In Tokyo, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' TEPCO Renewable Power unit reports it will invest as much as ¥2 trillion ($18 billion) to develop 6 - 7 GW of Japanese offshore wind and hydroelectric power projects by 2035.

The additional investment would boost the company's renewable energy capacity from 20 pct to 25 pct of the group's total capacity. (Source: TEPCO Renewable Power, PR, Reuters, 8 June, 2020) Contact: TEPCO Renewable Power, www.tepco.co.jp/en/rp/index-e.htm

More Low-Carbon Energy News TEPCO,  Renewable Energy,  

Sumitomo Electric
Date: 2020-05-29
In Japan, Osaka-headquartered Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd is reporting construction of the ¥50 billion ($463.8 million), 121.6-MW Tsugaru wind project in Aomori Prefecture has been completed and the facility is now online.

Sumitomo together with its group companies Nissan Electric Co and Sumitomo Densetsu Co. designed and constructed the facility for Tokyo-based Kajima Corp. The facility is the largest onshore wind park in Japan, according to a Sumitomo Electric statement. (Source: Sumitomo Electric, PR, 27 May, 2020) Contact: Sumitomo Electric, www. global-sei.com; Kajima Corp., www.kajima.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sumitomo Electric news,  Wind news,  

JX Nippon
Date: 2020-05-15
In the Lone Star State, Houston-headquartered engineering, procurement, and construction company and former Halliburton subsidiary KBR, Inc. reports it has been awarded a Master Service Agreement (MSA) and Feasibility Study by Tokyo-based JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp.

The Feasibility study will assess options for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), alongside blue hydrogen production relating to oil and gas fields in South East Asia, a region where JX Nippon continues to expand on its global track record of CCS/CCUS projects.

Under the agreement, KBR's Singapore hub will provide technical consultancy services in relation to developing concepts and technology recommendations for the capture of CO2, reinjection, and production of blue (i.e. carbon free) hydrogen. KBR will also evaluate the feasibility of conversion and transport of hydrogen in other forms for sale into the market, including liquified cryogenic hydrogen, liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), ammonia, and methanol (utilizing CO2). (Source: KBR, PR, 13 May, 2020) Contact: JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, www.nex.jx-group.co.jp › english; KBR, Jay Ibrahim, Pres., Energy Solutions, www.kbr.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Capture,  

Japanese Environment Ministry
Date: 2020-04-15
In Tokyo, the Japanese Environment Ministry reported the country's greenhouse gas emissions fall 3.9 pct in fiscal 2018 from the previous year, thanks in part to an increased reliance on nuclear energy.

According to the Ministry release, the equivalent of 1.24 billion tons of CO2 was emitted in the year ended March 2019, a fifth annual decline and representing a low among comparable data going back to fiscal 1990.

Emissions fell 12 pct compared with fiscal 2013, against its Paris Climate Agreement pledge for a 26 percent reduction by fiscal 2030, a target that Japan has itself said is not ambitious enough.

While many of Japan's nuclear reactors were taken offline in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima crisis, output from the nine active units doubled from the previous year, reducing the need for coal, an increase in renewable energy and low demand for household heating due to a relatively warm winter, all contributed to the drop in CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, Japan's emissions of ozone-depleting hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) rose 4.7 percent from the previous year. (Source: Japanese Environment Ministry, PR, 13 April, 2020) Contact: Japan Environment Ministry, +81-(0)3-3581-3351, www.env.go.jp/en/moemail, www.env.go.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  Paris Climate Agreement,  HFC,  

Bridgestone
Date: 2020-04-15
Tokyo-headquartered global tire and rubber giant Bridgestone is reporting that as part of its effort to reduce its carbon footprint, three of its manufacturing plants -- one in Hungary and two in Poland -- are now being run using 100 pct renewable energy sources.

This brings the total number of such factories to six with the other three such plants being the Goodyear factories in Spain's Bilbao, Puente San Miguel, and Burgos, which had started using electricity from renewable sources in 2018. (Source: Bridgestone, Tire & Parts News, 14 April, 2020) Contact: Bridgestone Tire, www.bridgestone.com/corporate/profile/index.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Footprint,  Carbon Emissions,  

Mazda
Date: 2020-04-01
Further to our 2nd Nov., 2018 coverage, Japanese auto maker Mazda is reporting its "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030" is continuing its participation in joint government and industry research aimed at adopting biofuels from microalgae. Mazda's interest in biofuels is part of its push to cut its CO2 emissions to 50 pct of 2010 levels by 2030 and 90 pct by 2050.

Mazda's role in the R&D effort is to provide technical support to the research into genome editing by Hiroshima University and plant physiology by the Tokyo Institute of Technology. (Source: Mazda, ZigWheels, Mar., 2020) Contact: Mazda, www.mazda.com/en/inquiry

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  Mazda,  

Tokyo Electric Power,Orsted
Date: 2020-03-20
Kallanish Energy is reporting Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings and Orsted A/S have formed Choshi Offshore Wind Farm KK, a joint venture company to bid in the Choshi-city offshore wind promotion area in Japan.

The joint venture is expected to bid for 1 GW of offshore wind in the Round 1 auction and possible future offshore wind project opportunities as they develop. (Source: Tokyo Electric, Orsted, Kallanish Energy, 19 Mar., 2020)Contact: Tokyo Electric Power, www7.tepco.co.jp; Orsted, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tokyo Electric Power ,  Orsted,  Offshore Wind,  

ITOCHU
Date: 2020-03-18
Tokyo-based ITOCHU Corporation and Kansas-based Tyr Energy, Inc. are reporting an agreement to provide equity financing to Minnetota-based Aspenall Energies' Kimball Wind and South Fork Wind projects. The fully operational projects are located in Nebraska and Minnesota and have a combined nameplate capacity of 43 MW.

The Projects consist of eighteen towers utilizing General Electric's 2 MW class onshore wind turbine platform. Commercial operation was achieved in December of 2016 for South Fork Wind and in June of 2018 for Kimball Wind. Together, the Projects produce enough electricity to power approximately 16,000 US households and have 20-year offtake agreements with Iowa-based Muscatine Power & Water and the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, respectively.

ITOCHU has an ownership interest in 15 power generation projects in the United States through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tyr Energy Inc. and offers O&M services through its wholly owned subsidiary, NAES Corporation. (Source: ITOCHU, 17 Mar., 2020) Contact: ITOCHU, www.itochu.co.jp; Tyre Energy, www.tyrenergy.com; Aspenall, www.aspenall.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ITOCHU ,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

Itochu,Eguana Technologies
Date: 2020-03-16
Tokyo-headquartered Japanese general trader Itochu Corp. reports it has closed its previously announced $5 million ($3.6 million US) investment in Calgary, Alberta-based energy storage systems developer Eguana Technologies Inc . Eguana will use the proceeds to finance working capital and general corporate expenditures, as previously reported. (Source: Itochu Corp, Renewables, 16 Mar., 2020) Contact: Eguana Technologies, Justin Holland, CEO, (416) 728.7635, (905) 929-7522,Justin.Holland@EguanaTech.com, www.EguanaTec.com; Itochu Corp., www.itochu.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eguana Technologies ,  Energy Storage,  

Tokyuo,Climate Change
Date: 2020-01-27
In Japan, the recently released Zero Emission Tokyo Strategy details a multifaceted effort to heighten climate change disaster - mitigation preparedness, reduce single-use plastics, transition to renewable energy and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The strategy also calls for zero-emission cars, buses, boats and planes; buildings made of recycled wood and equipped with solar panels; power plants on the city's perimeter tapping biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydroelectric, solar and wind energy; grocery stores with zero food waste and no single-use plastics; and "smart" homes with artificial intelligence to minimize energy consumption.

To that end, the Tokyo City Metropolitan Government 2020 budget plans to spend more than ¥74.6 billion ($684.5 million). The money will be distributed to individual progams in 14 energy sector including buildings, transportation, resources, climate change adaptation and engagement. These include Tokyo Climate Change Adaptation Policy, Plastic Strategy, Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Promotion Strategy, all of which outline additional steps the city will take to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions, marine plastic waste, food waste and fluorocarbon emissions.

To achieve decarbonization, the capital city of 13.9 residents plans to expand the use of hydrogen energy as it moves away from fossil fuels in its effort to address global warming and the climate change crisis, and urged the central government to formulate a national strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. (Source: City of Tokyo, PR, Japan Times, 26 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tokyo,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Global Warming,  

Ideol, Taisei Corp
Date: 2019-11-27
Paris-headquartered wind energy developer Ideol and Tokyo-based construction company Taisei Corp. are reporting a MoU for the joint development and promotion in Japan of concrete foundations for floating offshore wind using Ideol's patented Damping Pool technology.

Under the MoU, the companies will also work to contribute to the acceleration as well as the growth of the domestic floating offshore wind market. (Source: Ideol, Taisei Corp, PR, Offshore, 25 Nov., 2019) Contact: Ideol and Taisei Corp Contact: Ideol, +33 (0)4 86 20 80 50, www.ideol-offshore.com/en; Taisei Corp., www.taisei.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ideol,  Taisei Corp,  Floating Wind,   Offshore WindOffshore Wind,  Wind,  

Northland Power
Date: 2019-11-18
Toronto-headquartered renewable energy developer Northland Power is reporting a 50/50 JV with Tokyo-based Shizen Energy to target 600MW of offshore wind capacity projects off Chiba prefecture in the south-east of Japan's main island. Specific projects and detailed plans have not been released.

Shizen has contributed to the development of about 1GW of renewable energy projects in Japan as well as solar PV projects in Brazil, Vietnam and Thailand. Northland has a net interest in more than 2GW of operational clean energy projects worldwide, including a 60 stake in the 1,044MW Hai Long offshore wind cluster under development in Taiwan. (Source: Japanese Wind Power Association, Northland Power, Wind Power Monthly, 18 Nov., 2019) Contact: Northland Power Inc., David Povall, Exec. VP, (416) 962-6262, www.northlandpower.com;Shizen Energy, +81 3-3868-0344, www.shizenenergy.net; Japanese Wind Power Association, www.jwpa.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Shizen Energy,  Northland Power ,  Offshore Wind,  Japan Wind,  

International CCS Knowledge Centre
Date: 2019-10-09
Tokyo-based Japan CCS Co., Ltd. and the Regina, Saskatchewan-headquartered International CCS Knowledge Centre are reporting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining plans to collaborate on accelerating the use and understanding of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCS/CCUS).

Japan CCS Co., Ltd. is conducting the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project to demonstrate the viability of full-chain CCS in Japan. The International CCS Knowledge Centre will share the experience and lessons-learned from the construction, operation and maintenance of SaskPower's Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility - the world's first commercial scale, post-combustion CCS facility on a coal-fired power plant.

The International CCS Knowledge Centre was established by BHP and SaskPower with a mandate to advance the global understanding and deployment of large-scale CCS to reduce global GHG emissions. (Source: Japan CCS, International CCS Knowledge Centre, PR, 8 Oct., 2019) Contact: International CCS Knowledge Centre , Mike Monea, President & CEO, www.ccsknowledge.com; Japan CCS Co., Ltd., www.japanccs.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News International CCS Knowledge Centre,  CCS,  Boundry Dam,  Saskpower,  ,  

Energy Vault, Softbank
Date: 2019-08-16
Tokyo-based Softbank Group is reporting a $110 million investment in Switzerland-based energy storage specialist Energy Vault. Energy Vault, which launched in 2018, is presently partnered with Mexican materials company CEMEX and Tata Power Company in India.

According to Energy Vault, its technology enables renewable energy to be stored in 35-ton bricks and delivered as baseload power for less than the cost of fossil fuels at any time.

The global energy storage market is expected to reach 22.2 GW in 2023, from nearly 5 GW at the end of 2018, according to a GlobalData report. . (Source: Softbank, greentechlead, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Energy Vault, Robert Piconi, CEO, media@energyvault.ch, www.energyvault.ch SoftBank Group, www.softbank.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Softbank,  Energy Vault,  Energy Storage,  

Mitsui O.S.K.
Date: 2019-08-05
Tokyo-headquartered maritime shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) reports it will focus on reducing its shipping operation CO2 emissions by using synthetic methane as an alternative to current fossil-based bunker fuels.

With the same focus, the company has also joined the Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) Study Group which is looking into the implementation of effective carbon neutral measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels by offering alternative energies such as synthetic methane, which is generated by combining CO2 generated by industries with renewable energy-derived hydrogen. (Source: MOL, Bunkerspot, Aug., 2019) Contact: Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL), Junichiro Ikeda, Pres., CEO, www.mol.co.jp/en; Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/release/2016/11/002421.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Captureand Reuse,  Mitsui,  Methane,  

Mitsui
Date: 2019-08-05
Tokyo-headquartered maritime shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL) reports it will focus on reducing its shipping operation CO2 emissions by using synthetic methane as an alternative to current fossil-based bunker fuels.

With the same focus, the company has also joined the Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) Study Group which is looking into the implementation of effective carbon neutral measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels by offering alternative energies such as synthetic methane, which is generated by combining CO2 generated by industries with renewable energy-derived hydrogen. (Source: MOL, Bunkerspot, Aug., 2019) Contact: Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL), Junichiro Ikeda, Pres., CEO, www.mol.co.jp/en; Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, www.hitachizosen.co.jp/english/release/2016/11/002421.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Synthetic Methane news,  Misui news,  Marine Fuel news,  

Sojitz Corp
Date: 2019-07-10
In Taiwan, the largest offshore wind farm in Asia-Pacific is reported to have reached financial closure on €2.7 billion.

The 80 Siemens Gamesa turbine, 640 MW Yunlin Offshore Wind project project located eight kilometers off the coast of Yunlin County in western Taiwan, is being developed by Bremen, Germany-based WPD AG in two phases, with the first phase scheduled to be commissioned by 2020 and the second phase in 2021. WPD AG will own 73 pct of the project and the remaining 27 pct will be held by a Tokyo-based Sojitz Corp.-led consortium. (Source: Asia & Pacific Legal Chronicle. Other Media, July 9, 2019) Contact: Sojitz Corp., www.sojitz.com/en; WPD AG, +49-421-168-6610, + 49-421-168-6666 – fax, www.wpd.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News WPD,  Yunlin,  Offshore Wind,  

U20
Date: 2019-05-24
At the U20 Mayors Summit Mayors meeting this week in Japan, the mayors of some of the world's major cities urged their national leaders to "leverage the tremendous potential of our cities as hubs of diversity and innovation for the purpose of tackling global challenges, including climate change." Cities from G20 member states, known as the Urban 20 (U20) presented the following recommendations on addressing climate change;

Set ambitious targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to peak no later than by 2020, reduce substantially by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

Commit to decarbonizing the energy grid, with 100 pct renewable electricity by 2030, and 100 pct renewable energy by 2050.

Enact national regulations and/or planning policy to ensure new buildings operate at net zero carbon by 2030 and all buildings by 2050.

[Help] expedite the transition to zero-emission vehicles and support cities' efforts to diffuse such vehicles.

Reduce the generation of plastic waste -- phasing-out certain single-use and hard to recycle plastics in particular.

Ensure a just transition to decarbonized development.

The U20 Communique was signed by the mayors, or governors of Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels-Capital Region, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Christchurch, Durban, Hamburg, Helsinki, Houston, Jakarta, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Montreal, New York City, Osaka, Paris, Port Vila, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Rotterdam, Sao Paulo City, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Tshwane. (Source: U20, Japan Today, 23 May, 2019)

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Carbon Emissions
Date: 2019-05-22
In Japan, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike is reporting plans to draw up a strategy -- by December 2019 -- to effectively reduce the city's carbon dioxide emissions to zero by 2050.

Japan's government has set a goal of cutting domestic emissions by 80 pct by 2050. The Tokyo Metropolitan government has gone a step further and plans for effectively zero emissions in Tokyo by 2050. The strategy will include a 40 percent reduction in incinerated plastic waste by 2030.

Koike announced her plans to representatives of 26 of the world's major cities at the Urban 20 Mayors Summit now underway in Japan.

Urban 20 (U20) is a new diplomatic initiative, convened by C40 Cities and UCLG, to help cities develop collective messages and inclusive solutions for global issues such as climate action, the future of work and social integration, and related information. (Source: U20 Mayors, NHK World Japan, 21 May, 2019) Contact: Urban 20 Mayors, www.urban20.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions ,  CO2,  

Japan Engine Corp., NYK Line
Date: 2019-05-15
Japan Engine Corp. (J-ENG) reports it is cooperating with Tokyo-based NYK Line -- a maritime shipping firm -- to research and develop a maritime biofuel-powered engine for maritime use.

In collaboration with NYK Line, J-ENG plans to test the new engine using the biofuel from GoodFuels, a leading biofuel supplier based in the Netherlands. The test engine is located in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Research & Innovation Center and various fuel tests can be performed. (Source: Japan Engine Corp., Diesel & Gas Turbine, May, 2019) Contact: Japan Engine Corp., +81-78-949-0800, www.j-eng.co.jp/en NYK Line, www.nykline.com; GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 (0) 85 8000 238, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  GoodFuels,  NYK Line,  

Andritz
Date: 2019-05-10
Austrian international technology group Andritz reports receipt of an order from Hitachi Zosen Corp., Japan, to deliver a PowerFluid circulating fluidized bed boiler with a flue gas cleaning system for a new Tokushima Tsuda Biomass Power Plant in Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Island, southwest of Tokyo.

The PowerFluid boiler to be supplied by Andritz features lowest emissions, high efficiency and availability, as well as highest fuel flexibility. It forms an essential part of a high-efficiency biomass power plant for supply of green energy to the national grid.

The biomass power plant, which will be fired with wood pellets and palm kernel shells, will generate around 74.8 MWel of power when it comes online in early 2023. (Source: Andritz, 8 May, 2019) Contact: Andritz, Oliver Pokorny, Investor Relations, +43 (316) 6902 1332, oliver.pokorny@andritz.com, www.andritz.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  Andritz,  Wood Pellet,  

GHG,Carbon Emissions
Date: 2019-04-03
In Tokyo, a panel of Japanese professors, environmentalist and corporate executives on Tuesday urged the government to set a national greenhouse gas reduction goal to substantially reduce CO2 emissions in the second half of the century and an "ultimate goal of a carbon-free society at the earliest possible time during the second half of this century."

The panel also suggested Japan should "show contributions" to achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement to keep the average global temperatures growth below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally 1.5 degrees, to reduce the impact of climate change. The panel called for the use of renewable energy to reduce dependence on coal-fired thermal power generation.

Japan's long term goal aims to reduce carbon emissions by 80 pct from 2013 levels by 2050.(Source: Xinhua, 2 April, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Carbon Emission Target,  

Zenobe Energy,Tokyo Electric Power
Date: 2019-02-22
UK battery storage firm Zenobe Energy reports it has secured a £25 million ($32.6Mn US) investment from Japanese power giants Jera and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). The new funds, which are earmarked for expansion purposes, are in addition to £45.5 million of equity already invested into Zenobe over the course of the last 18 months and a further £30 million of senior debt facilities provided by Santander and Generation IM.

Zenobe, which has around 73MW of operational storage assets, is developing various new service offerings, which the company said would counter controversial charging reforms proposed by Ofgem, and is also providing flexible power solutions for electric bus depots, with an eye on expanding this offering to commercial EV operators. (Source: Zenobe Energy, current+-, Feb., 2019)Contact: Zenobe Energy, Nicholas Beatty, co-founder, +44 (0) 203 912, 7853contact@zenobe.co.uk, www.zenobe.co.uk; Tokyo Electric Power, www7.tepco.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Zenobe Energy,  Energy Storage,  

Zenobe Energy,JERA Co.
Date: 2019-02-20
In the Land of the Rising Sun, Tokyo-based JERA Co, a fuel trading JV between Tokyo Electric Power and Chubu Electric Power, reports it is partnering with TEPCO Power Grid and will invest £25 million ($32 million) in London, UK-headquartered battery storage specialist Zenobe Energy.

Zenobe Energy supplies, finances, owns and operates battery storage assets and is one of the largest owners and operators of battery storage in Britain, with a capacity of approximately 73 MW, according to JERA. (Source: JERA Co. Website, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: JERA Co., www.jera.co.jp/english; Zenobe Energy, contact@zenobe.co.uk, +44 (0) 2039127853, www.zenobe.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Battery,  Energy Storage,  

Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Date: 2019-02-20
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim has compiled a list of the carbon footprints of 13,000 cities worldwide, determining that the emissions are highly concentrated in a small number of crowded, high-income cities and affluent suburbs. The Global Gridded Model of Carbon Footprints study, released in 2018, can help identify where actions to combat climate change are more desperately needed, says Dan Moran, lead author and principal investigator on the

In first place, the city with the world's largest estimated carbon footprints is: Seoul, South Korea -- pop. 21,254,000; followed by in descending order Guangzhou, China -- pop. 44,309,000; New York City, U.S. -- pop. 13,648,000, Hong Kong, China -- pop. 6,029,000; Los Angeles, California, U.S. -- pop. 13,482,000; Shanghai, China -- pop. 23,804,000; Singapore, Country of Singapore -- pop. 5,235,000; Chicago, U.S. -- pop. 7,260,000; Tokyo/Yokohama, Japan -- pop. 32,999,000; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- pop. 5,747,000, in 10th place.

Download report details HERE. (Source: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, US News, Feb., 2019) Contact: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, https://www.ntnu.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Footpring,  Carbon Emissions,  

Hitachi,Enercon
Date: 2019-01-30
Following up on our Sept. 9, 2016 coverage, Tokyo-based Hitachi reports it will cease wind turbine production going forward, and will focus on marketing wind turbines from the long-time German partner Enercon. Hitachi expects to maintain the top share of the wind turbines market in Japan by expanding the solution business integrating Enercon's wind turbines with its digital technology.

Hitachi will continue its ongoing projects using its downwind turbines both in Japan and overseas and will offer new as well as honor existing offer maintenance and services contracts to existing wind farms featuring Hitachi turbines. The company also plans to expand its core wind power generation business. (Source: Hitachi, OffshoreWind.biz, 28 Jan., 2019)Contact: Hitachi High-Technologies Corp, www.hitachi.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enercon,  Hitachi,  Wind,  Wind Turbine,  

Toshiba
Date: 2019-01-21
Following up on our 28th November coverage, Tokyo-headquartered Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp reports its subsidiary Sigma Power Ariake Corp. has inked an agreement to construct two, 22-MW biomass power facilities at Shinkomachi and Nishiminatomachi in the city of Omuta, Fukuoka prefecture.

The two biomass projects are expected to come in at approximately ¥20 billion ($176.1 million) and come online in the spring of 2022. The plant will be operated by Sigma Power Ariake Corp. (Source: Toshiba Corp., PR, Renewables, 21 Jan., 2019) Contact: Toshiba Corp., www.toshiba.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  Toshiba Corp,  

Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry
Date: 2019-01-11
In Tokyo, the Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (Meti) reports it plans to exclude a new biomass- and coal-fired power generation project from its feed-in-tariff (FiT) scheme from the April 2019-March 2020 fiscal year.

The exclusion is in response to a recent Meti study finding that overall costs to maintain a co-fired power plant are lower compared with a dedicated biomass power plant that uses woody biomass, liquid biomass or construction waste. Biomass such as pruned branches, wood shavings, paper, food debris, waste cooking oil and black liquor will be excluded from the FiT scheme from 2021-22 for co-firing with coal.

The decision, if approved by the government, will be applied to the country's biomass power tender for 2019-20, which will exclude projects co-fired with coal. (Source: Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, LinkedIn, Argus, Jan., 2019) Contact: Japan Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry , www.meti.go.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  Coal,  

okyo Metropolitan Government
Date: 2019-01-09
In Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is reporting the upcoming October launch of its "eco-point" program. The program will grant points to consumers who replace older, inefficient home appliances with energy-efficient models. Refrigerators, air conditioners and water heaters will be covered by the program.

Under the program, shoppers will gain one point for each 7 kg of CO2 emissions they are able to cut through replacing home appliances. One point will be worth ¥1 and exchangeable for gift tickets.

The ¥4.5 billion program will be funded in the TMG's fiscal 2019 budget, and is intended to coincide with the Japanese central government's announced consumption tax increase from 8 pct to 10 pct, as well as to curb carbon dioxide emissions that lead to global warming.

The program, which is expected to run until March 2021, is forecast to lower CO2 emissions by 140,000 tpy and reduce utility expenses by ¥6.9 billion. (Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan Times, 8 Jan., 2019) Contact: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, www.metro.tokyo.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Energy Efficiency,  

Date: 2019-01-09
In Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is reporting the upcoming October launch of its ¥4.5 billion "eco-point" program. The program will grant points to consumers who replace older, inefficient home appliances with energy-efficient models. Refrigerators, air conditioners and water heaters will be covered by the program.

Under the program, shoppers will gain one point for each 7 kg of CO2 emissions they are able to cut through replacing home appliances. One point will be worth ¥1 and exchangeable for gift tickets. The program, which is expected to run until March 2021, is forecast to lower CO2 emissions by 140,000 tpy and reduce utility expenses by ¥6.9 billion. (Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan Times, 8 Jan., 2019) Contact: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, www.metro.tokyo.jp/english

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  

Japan Airlines
Date: 2019-01-09
Japan Airlines (JAL) is reporting it plans to operate select flights from San Francisco to Tokyo (Haneda Airport) with an aircraft fueled by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., beginning the month. In January 2009, JAL operated a test flight in Japan with SAF using a mixture of three second-generation biofuel feedstocks and in November 2017, the airline operated a passenger flight with SAF from Chicago to Tokyo. The airline also reports it plans to operate a charter flight with SAF made from recycled clothes.

The SAF initiative is part of JAL's Medium Term Management Plan to actively contribute and tackle Global Sustainable Development Goals, including the reduction of CO2 emissions. (Source: Japan Airlines, PR, 8 Jan., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel news,  Jet Biofuel news,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel news,  

Tokyo Electric Power
Date: 2019-01-07
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO) reports it is considering construction of a 1 million kilowatt -- roughly equivalent toa nuclear power plant -- offshore wind farm off the coast of Choshi, Chiba Prefecture. As previously reported, the company initially began planning for the project in 2009.

For the project, TEPCO intends to partner with an experienced European offshore wind power developer and spend about ¥1 trillion ($9.2 billion) on the 200, 5,000 kw, "fixed bottom" turbine offshore project. The utility is also considering a nearby location for the full-fledged generator and intends to begin construction as early as fiscal 2019. (Source: Tokyo Electric Power Company, PR, Japan News, 6 Jan., 2019) Contact: TEPCO, www.tepco.co.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tokyo Electric Power,  Offshore Wind,  Wind,