Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Global Website | MHI Group Presents “Best Innovation 2020” Awards for Activities that Contribute to Reducing Environmental Loads — In-house Program Raises Environmental Awareness among Employees, and Encourages Further Innovation —
Tokyo, March 4, 2021 – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has determined the recipients of its 2020 “Best Innovation” awards, an in-house program to recognize activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of the global environment, and the lowering of environmental loads. The aim is to raise environmental awareness among corporate group employees and encourage further innovation.
MHI Group has adopted the mission: “Integrate cutting-edge technology into expertise built up over many years to provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues and provide better lives.” Going forward, through its business activities MHI aims to contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)(Note1), and the resolution of social issues(Note2).
M501JAC series gas turbines with world-leading efficiency, enabling hydrogen utilization
Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.
The M501JAC series gas turbines have been developed based on the M501J gas turbine with the turbine inlet temperature of 1,600°C, world-first at the time, and the reliability of 99.5% after over one million hours of cumulative operating hours. M501JAC is a cutting-edge 1,650°C class large gas turbine that incorporates an enhanced air-cooled combustor—a world-first technology with outstanding performance and operability—as well as thicker thermal barrier coating (TBC), and a compressor with a 25:1 high pressure ratio. The M501JAC series has achieved the world-leading efficiency over 64% while providing a flexible operability such as a shorter start-up time. Gas turbine combined cycle power generation systems with M501JAC contribute to the stable power generation which is essential to global economic growth, and are also capable to meet global demands for decarbonization.
Compact fuel gas supply module for environment-friendly LNG fueled ships
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
These modules are one of key components of LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel gas supply system (FGSS) for marine gas fuel engines, developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding utilizing LNG and vaporized gas handling technologies accumulated through its long experience on the construction of LNG carriers. The system is comprised of LNG fuel tanks and control unit in addition to the above modules. The core components, such as the LNG vaporizer and gas compressor, are incorporated into the module that is space-saving and has excellent operability and maintainability, which contributes to the optimum design of cargo space and helps the shipyard to shorten the installation period, as well as supports safe operation by customizing the control system to meet the operational needs of the ship owner. Compared to the conventional heavy oil burning, LNG fuel enables the ship to reduce sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter (PM). The modules and LNG fuel tanks made by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has been installed in SAKURA LEADER, the first LNG fueled pure car carrier built in Japan, currently in operation.
MSV2 series of heat pump chillers with top-level energy efficiency and refrigerant with a lower environmental load
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd.
The MSV2 series of air-cooled heat pump chillers utilize a refrigerant that helps curb global warming, while offering high efficiency and an industry-leading 70 horsepower (HP) model. This series incorporates the new “e-3D” scroll compressor with an improved scroll shape for the 3D scroll compressor—which compresses both vertically and horizontally—to achieve a significant reduction in leakage loss, and markedly improved efficiency at low loads. In addition, the adoption of a large fan, long bell mouth, and small-diameter hairpin in the air heat exchanger has achieved industry-leading energy-saving performance. Further, the use of the R32 refrigerant as an alternative to conventional refrigerants has reduced the unit’s global warming potential (GWP) to approximately one-third from previous model, which combined with a 28% reduction in refrigerant charge volume results in a 77% lower CO2 conversion factor, contributing to reduction of the environmental load.
Completion of first toroidal field coil for ITER (experimental fusion reactor)
Nuclear Energy Systems
MHI have completed manufacture of the first toroidal field (TF) coil -the world’s largest superconducting coil ever built for ITER (experimental fusion reactor) currently under construction in France. Nuclear fusion energy emits zero carbon dioxide (CO2), and because the lithium resource that provides the raw material for fusion fuels (deuterium and tritium) are virtually inexhaustible – they can be found or distilled from seawater, fusion energy is expected to be a sustainable energy source that will provide a ultimate solution to the world’s environmental problem. The completion of the first TF coil is a major milestone forward for the start of ITER operation in 2025.
Development and implementation of Eco-point System to encourage environmental practices
— Received 2020 “Climate Change Action Environment Minister’s Award” —
MHI Power Engineering Co., Ltd.
This in-house system converts environmental actions into points, assessed as the amount of CO2 reduction. Points are accumulated over a certain period through individual action and by department, providing a structure to compare and review the status of an environmental activity. Donations to environmental groups are made based on the number of points accumulated, and points are contributed back to individual employees. Employees stay motivated to continue environmental actions, and the company is able to assess and review activities in a visible way. This program conforms to the corporate philosophy of MHI Power Engineering and MHI Group seeking to achieve the UN SDGs.
This in-house system converts environmental actions into points, assessed as the amount of CO2 reduction. Points are accumulated over a certain period through individual action and by department, providing a structure to compare and review the status of an environmental activity. Donations to environmental groups are made based on the number of points accumulated, and points are contributed back to individual employees. Employees stay motivated to continue environmental actions, and the company is able to assess and review activities in a visible way. This program conforms to the corporate philosophy of MHI Power Engineering and MHI Group seeking to achieve the UN SDGs.
The “Best Innovation” program, held annually since fiscal 2003, is an internal program to recognize innovative new products, services, technologies, businesses, and environmental activities within MHI Group. A total of 16 awards were given this year, including the five environment-related projects presented here.
Going forward, MHI Group will continue to pursue further technical innovations aimed at achieving the SDGs and resolving social issues, and by providing the world with better products and technologies, contribute to the realization of a more sustainable society.