Initiatives of
operating companies
‐Response to
climate change
Participation in TSE’s carbon credit market demonstration project
Since December 2022, Mitsuuroko Vessel Co., Ltd. has participated in the carbon credit market demonstration project, which the Tokyo Stock Exchange has been conducting on a trial basis as a project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
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TSE’s carbon credit market demonstration project
In order to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the government has presented the “GX (Green Transformation) League Basic Concept,” a voluntary framework for setting ambitious CO2 emissions reduction targets based on national guidelines, trading credits to achieve the targets, and having the government confirm the results. As part of this framework, the government has proposed the establishment of a carbon credit market as a platform for voluntary emissions trading, as well as a mechanism for setting voluntary emissions reduction targets and emissions trading to achieve these targets.
This project is to demonstrate the establishment of a market where carbon credits are widely traded in a form where the price is publicly announced.
Improving delivery efficiency with SmartOWL®
SmartOWL® service is a solution that increases the efficiency of LPG operations through the collection and analysis of LPG meter information and the application of know-how gained in demonstration tests. The operational know-how and series of business models that link information collected by LPWA to delivery efficiency improvement have been patented, and we are expanding the service to enable more LPG companies to use it.
Reducing environmental impact by improving delivery efficiency
In order to use LPG, it is essential to deliver LPG containers to the consumers’ homes by truck, and by streamlining this delivery operation, the distance traveled by trucks can be shortened, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
Effectiveness has been proven through experiments
Mitsuuroko Creative Solutions Co., Ltd. conducted an experiment from October 2018 to the end of September 2019 and demonstrated the effects of improving delivery efficiency by utilizing data automatically acquired through LPWA connection.
Through digital transformation (DX), we have developed a proprietary system that incorporates four patented technologies and know-how that reduced the delivery operation time by 30% in the demonstration tests, and the service has been available as “SmartOWL® delivery operation streamlining solution” to LPG companies since October 2021.
Reduction in the number of meter readings through automated meter reading and reduction effects of CO2 emissions
Effects of improving delivery efficiency
Service overview
Wind power generation business
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Total output |
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|---|---|---|---|
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March 2007 |
Azuchi-Oshima Wind Power Station |
Oshima-mura, Hirado-shi, Nagasaki | 32,000kW |
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January 2008 |
Kamisu Wind Power Station |
Yanagawa, Kamisu-shi, Ibaraki | 10,000kW |
Mega solar business
Although mega solar plants adopt the same mechanism as residential solar power systems, they are not installed on the roofs of houses. They are installed in large areas of vacant land and have large-scale generation capacity making them suitable for industrial use.
Expectations are high for both the Suigo-Itako Solar Power Plant in Ibaraki (power output of approximately 14,500 kW) and the Futtsu Solar Power Plant in Chiba (power output of approximately 40,000 kW), which are participating in the business, as next-generation energy sources.
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Total output |
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|---|---|---|---|
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February 2014 |
Suigo-Itako Solar Power Plant | Maekawa, Itako-shi, Ibaraki | 14,500kW |
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July 2014 |
Futtsu Solar Power Plant | Shimokenzaku, Kato, Futtsu-shi, Chiba | 40,000kW |
Solar power plants with output under two megawatts
The Group is working to expand the use of solar power generation systems and fuel cells to promote the spread of renewable energy.
We also have solar power plants that are of a smaller scale than the mega solar plants described above (less than 2 megawatts). We currently operate these plants in 19 locations, and the total output in FY2021 was 7,152 thousand kWh.
Biomass power generation business
Biomass is an organic resource (excluding fossil fuel) produced by organisms from the inorganic compounds of water and CO2 using solar energy. It is a sustainable and renewable energy source that only requires life and solar energy. Within biomass, it is the category of “woody biomass,” which comes from wood such as thinned wood and construction wood waste. Since CO2 generated by burning woody biomass is absorbed from the atmosphere by trees in the process of photosynthesis that drives their growth, there is virtually no increase in atmospheric CO2. This is called “carbon neutral.”
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Total output |
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|---|---|---|---|
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January 2006 |
Mitsuuroko Iwakuni Power Plant | Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi | Japan’s first wood chip combustion 10,000 kW power plant |
We provide electricity produced at the Mitsuuroko Iwakuni Power Plant to the customers of our power and electricity sales business.
Commencement of construction preparation for grid energy storage stations that will contribute to spreading renewable energy as the main form of power and the stability of power grid
Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd. has begun preparations for the construction of the Kitahiroshima No.1 and No.2 Storage Stations in Kitahiroshima-shi, Hokkaido.
The use of renewable energy power generation facilities for the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050 is expanding. However, there are difficulties in power generation prediction and control due to the fact that facilities such as those for solar and wind power are affected by the seasons and the climate. To solve these challenges, it is essential to secure “adjustment power” to suppress unstable power generation.
At these power storage stations, the storage batteries can be used as “adjustment power,” and the charge or discharge control of the storage batteries can then be used to compensate for the shortfall in the power generation plan of the renewable energy power source, thereby contributing to the stabilization of the power grid*1. In addition, these storage stations can also be used in the control of distributed energy resources and other such applications.
Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd. seeks to create a stable and efficient balance of supply and demand for electricity. As an aggregator*2, it will contribute to the further adoption of renewable energy and the stabilization of power systems by entering new markets, such as the supply-demand adjustment market and the capacity market.
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Output |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Completion date to be confirmed*3 |
Kitahiroshima No.1 and No.2 Storage Stations | Kitahiroshima-shi, Hokkaido | 3,085.6kW |
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Power grid
A system that integrates power generation, substation, power transmission, and distribution to supply power to consumers’ power receiving equipment. -
Aggregator
A business operator that effectively manages energy by bundling the electricity demand of consumers and the electricity of distributed power sources (storage batteries and private power generation equipment). - The delivery date has been delayed due to the situation in Ukraine, and the completion date has not yet been confirmed.
Initiative for participating in renewable energy aggregation business
To participate in renewable energy aggregation business, Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd., has entered into and started operation of a business tie-up with Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. to develop and demonstrate Integrated Power Control Central (IPoCC), a next-generation integrated power system that utilizes distributed energy resources such as storage batteries.
Based on the business tie-ups, we aim to build “IPoCC” and provide power generation forecasting and renewable energy supply-demand adjustment services for renewable energy power generation facilities, such as those for solar and wind power, which fluctuate substantially. Its development will enable a smoother response to the supply-demand adjustment market which is phased in from FY2021, and the capacity market, which will start in FY2024.
Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd. and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. have labelled IPoCC as “epoch-making.” The two companies aim to establish it as next-generation standard in power control systems, and in addition to developing and testing it, they are focusing on external sales and the expansion of aggregation energy business. Through these efforts, they will contribute to the popularization of renewable energy and the realization of a decarbonized society.
Received a five-star rating from the Energy Conservation Communication Ranking System
Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd. received the highest rating of five stars as a retail electricity provider in the 2022 evaluation results of the “Energy Conservation Communication Ranking System” conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
The purpose of this system is to evaluate and publicize the level of information and services provided by each provider for general consumers regarding energy efficiency and conservation and the status of their efforts, so that general consumers can use the evaluation results as reference information when selecting an electricity or gas company, and to encourage further energy efficiency and conservation efforts based on the information provided for it.
Mitsuuroko Green Energy is actively working to provide useful information on energy efficiency and conservation to customers, share information on environmental issues and initiatives related to decarbonization through webinars and social media, and expand the use of demand response services to encourage power-saving.
Improvement and expansion of demand response service functions for the next-generation integrated power system IPoCC
Since July 2021, Mitsuuroko Green Energy Co., Ltd. has been providing Demand Response (DR) services to its customers using our extra-high-voltage power service or high-voltage power service. However, the supply-demand situation for electricity has remained difficult due to recent sharp rises in fuel prices, the shutdown of thermal power plants, and the heat waves in the summer. In light of this, in August 2022, we enhanced the DR service functions of our next-generation integrated power system, IPoCC, and began new operations in response to requests for power-saving from the government and general electricity transmission and distribution business operators.
<Added functions>
- Early delivery of DR implementation result reports
- Long-term DR activation
In addition, we have expanded the provision of DR services to customers using our low-voltage power service since November 2022. By utilizing this service together with our customers, we will contribute to alleviating the supply crunch of electricity and economical energy use through power-saving, peak-shifting, and energy efficiency and conservation initiatives, and help to expand the introduction of renewable energy for a decarbonized society.
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Demand response is a system that allows consumers to change their electricity consumption patterns in response to electricity pricing or incentive payments in order to curb the use of electricity during times of high wholesale market prices or low grid reliability, in order to balance the supply and demand of electricity by decreasing or increasing the consumption of electricity.
As renewable energy sources become more prevalent, there is a need for an adjustment mechanism that handles power generation being affected by weather conditions, and DR is an effective means to address this issue.
Moss cultivation business initiatives
We have begun a new moss cultivation business as an initiative to utilize our idle land. In November 2022, the field was expanded to 2,500 m2 and 18 long sheets (1 m × 50 m) were installed in addition to the conventional cultivation of seed moss. It is expected to be used for weed control and greening in highway service areas, inside plant facilities, and railroad operator track areas.
Other climate change initiatives
Activities to protect and nurture the forests around water collection sites
Working together with local communities, we are engaging in activities to protect and nurture the forests around the water sources used by Mitsuuroko Beverage Co., Ltd., a Group company that produces natural water products (mineral water production and sales business). We support activities advocated by Yamanashi Prefecture for the protection and nurture of national forests that are deteriorating. Partnering with Narusawa Village 1st District, we have entered into an agreement for participating in volunteer activities to maintain the Narusawa Village 1st District’s own forest.
Mitsuuroko Beverage Co., Ltd. is actively engaging in these efforts as part of activities to recharge water sources that provide the water essential for producing its products.
* From FY2020 to FY2022, this activity was not conducted due to the spread of COVID-19.
Baking bread using domestic wheat
Sweet Style Co., Ltd.’s bakery, “Azabujuban Mont-Thabor,” focuses on selling frozen bread that uses domestically produced wheat. Using domestically produced wheat as the raw material shortens the transportation distance and does not use chemicals such as fungicide for importing. It also uses raw materials milled with a stone mill and offer customers products baked at the stores. These products are made with meticulous attention to the environment, health, and superb taste (aroma), and are winning the support of many customers as a new value.
Installation of solar panels on the roofs of the company’s facilities
General Storage Company Pte. Ltd. (GSC), the Company’s overseas subsidiary, has set forth “a green and caring tomorrow with self-storage” as its ESG vision.GSC’s self-storage brand, Lock+Store, has signed an 18-year purchase agreement with Union Solar Pte Ltd, a solar power generation business operator, to realize this mission.The solar panels installed on the roof of the Chai Chee facility (completed in January 2023), which is a trunk room operated by the Company, will have a maximum output of approximately 487.3 kWp, which is expected to reduce the use of fossil fuel-based energy by approximately 30% when used on-site at the facility.
Use of vacant space for vegetable gardens
Lock+Store has partnered with SG Gardens, a local horticultural company, to utilize vacant space at the Chai Chee facility for vegetable gardens. The harvest from the vegetable garden will be donated to charities that support low-income families or sold to restaurants.
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