Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Indonesia’s Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) to conduct joint research on clean energy solutions that will enable decarbonization in Indonesia. Activities will include feasibility studies, investigations, validations and R&D for technologies that will power the country’s energy transition. The MOU will be in effect for five years, with the research results building the foundation for discussions to establish a joint R&D center in Indonesia. The online signing ceremony took place on February 7, 2022 and was attended by the Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan, H.E. Heri Akhmadi; the Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, H.E. Kenji Kanasugi; ITB Rector, Ms. Reini Wirahadikusumah; and MHI’s Head of Energy Transition and Power Headquarters, Ken Kawai.
MHI’s Head of Energy Transition and Power Headquarters Ken Kawai said, “MHI has been at the forefront of supporting Indonesia in its energy transition for nearly half a century. Through this continued partnership with ITB, we seek to develop clean energy solutions that will accelerate decarbonization in Indonesia. I am looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with ITB to achieve our mission net zero.”
ITB Rector, Ms. Reini Wirahadikusumah added: “During the past two years, we have been collaborating with MHI to conduct advanced feasibility studies in clean energy, especially in financial and technical evaluation of ammonia and biomass co-firing. I am sure that these activities will benefit the Indonesian power industry. I hope that the extension of this MOU will create more ideas and useful recommendations for Indonesia’s decarbonization journey.”
A previous MOU between MHI and ITB(1) enabled joint feasibility studies on emerging energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as air quality control systems (AQCS) and microgrid solutions. Since this MOU was signed in 2020, MHI and ITB also collaborated on training Indonesia’s future engineers by conducting joint lectures on topics including big data analysis, biomass, integrated coal gasification combined cycle, hydrogen and AQCS.
This new MOU comes at a time when Indonesia is ramping up efforts to decarbonize its energy sector evident in its recent commitments to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 29% by 2030 and achieve 23% renewable energy use by 2025(2).
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group in partnership with Osaka Gas USA has purchased equity interest in the Brighter Future Solar Farm from project developer Oriden, an MHI Group company. The solar photovoltaic (PV) project will provide 11 megawatts of clean power for Blue Ridge Energy in North Carolina, United States. Following project completion, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA) and Osaka Gas USA will manage day-to-day operations.
The solar power plant currently under construction
MHI Group is committed to building an innovative solutions ecosystem to realize a carbon neutral future. The global company identifies investment opportunities in carbon reduction projects and climate tech start-ups to accelerate its energy transition activities.
The Brighter Future Solar project aligns with that goal. It will generate and send 19,000 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity into the grid annually. The project will enable Blue Ridge Energy to work toward its low cost, low carbon future that has two significant carbon reduction targets: to achieve 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Blue Ridge Energy will purchase the full output of the project through a 25-year fully bundled Power Purchase Agreement.
“MHI Group and Osaka Gas have a long history of collaboration and partnership,” said Yoshihiro Shiraiwa, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America. “As we look toward the next few decades, we must work closely with new and existing partners to develop new business models that advance our goals for the energy transition. This partnership starts us on that path.”
“Osaka Gas USA is pleased to partner with MHI Group on this project and hopes to expand our longstanding relationship through future collaboration,” said Tetsushi Ikuta, President of Osaka Gas USA. “Through this investment, we look forward to providing low-cost clean energy to ratepayers in North Carolina, while continuing our transition to a greener portfolio.”
The Brighter Future Solar investment establishes a new business model for MHI Group. Oriden is a company backed by the MHI Group company Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., an industry leader in energy solutions including power generation. The existing Oriden-MHI Group relationship strengthens co-investors’ trust.
Masahiro Ogiso, President, Oriden, said, “Our custom-built Brighter Future Solar project in conjunction with MHI Group’s investment will enable cost savings and allow Blue Ridge Energy to sustainably serve its members. Together with our partners and customers, we are creating a Change in Power.”
Oriden
Located in Pittsburgh, Oriden develops, constructs, finances, owns and operates renewable energy projects throughout the United States. As local governments, public institutions and corporations prioritize cleaner sources for their energy needs, they want a developer with the ingenuity, the agility and the speed of a start-up – a fearless pioneer. But they also want to mitigate risk with a proven veteran that has the financial strength and experience to develop, commercialize, operate and own a highly complex project. Oriden is a full-service renewable energy developer funded by Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc., an industry leader in energy solutions including power generation. For more information, please visit www.oridenpower.com.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering Ltd. (MHIENG), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, is to begin offering “optimaX” (trademark and patent pending), a digital service platform to comprehensively support operations and maintenance of transportation systems, industrial plants, and other types of social infrastructure. This new service consolidates into a single package the range of digital services MHIENG has offered up to now in such fields as urban transportation systems and CO2 recovery facilities, further expanding market applications as a solution to resolve issues related to the operation and maintenance of the various types of infrastructure that support environmental protections and social life.
optimaX Feature Map
The introduction of optimaX provides the following benefits: 1. Improve availability of the facilities: Minimization of downtime by detecting signs of breakdown or malfunction and conducting preventive maintenance; Optimization of MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure), MKBF (Mean Kilometers Between Failures) and MTTR (Mean Time To Repair).(1) 2. Optimized operations and maintenance costs, and resources: Operational efficiency, fewer maintenance personnel, inventory optimization for spare parts. 3. Safety improvements and accident prevention: Optimization of regular maintenance (preventive maintenance) to prevent breakdown or malfunction. 4. Enhanced cyber security: Incorporates MHI’s proprietary InteRSePT technology.(2)
Companies in the transportation systems and industrial plants field are increasingly shifting from a conventional Time Based Maintenance (TBM)(3) model of periodic inspection and maintenance to a Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)(4) system of optimally timed preventive maintenance using IoT technology to monitor system status. The optimaX service responds to such needs, providing solid support for a smooth transition from TBM to CBM. The system also features enhanced cyber security with the incorporation of InteRSePT, MHI’s proprietary technology for control systems based on extensive experience in the defense sector.
MHIENG has been offering services for remote monitoring in real time of the operation status for new transportation systems such as the automated guideway transit (AGT)(5) system, and in April 2019 established the Digitalization and Business Innovation Department to oversee and lead digital transformation (DX) programs, developing the optimaX platform.
Through this department, MHIENG conducts further research and development for digital services such as anomaly detection utilizing deep learning and other AI technologies in the new transportation systems and mobility field, and safety enhancements through remaining life assessments of CO2 recovery systems and other chemical plant equipment, supporting innovation and growth for new business models that fulfill the needs of business partners in the critical infrastructure sector.
Going forward, as a part of MHI Group supporting growth fields such as energy transition to realize a carbon neutral society, electrification and intelligence in mobility, and the application of cyber security in the private sector, MHIENG will work in partnership with MHI and other companies to make life convenient and comfortable, and help build a safe and secure society.
(1) MKBF: Mean Kilometers Between Failure; MTTR: Mean Time To Repair (2) InteRSePT (an abbreviation for Integrated Resilient Security and Proactive Technology) is a registered trademark of MHI in Japan. It is a technology for cyber security in control systems for vital infrastructure (social infrastructure) that allows for real-time anomaly detection and response to unknown cyber-attacks, helping to ensure safe and reliable system operations. See the following website for details: https://www.mhi.com/news/18042501.html (3) Time Based Maintenance (TBM) is an approach of conducting inspections and maintenance at regular time periods, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or annually, regardless of whether a malfunction has occurred. (4) Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) is an approach of conducting preventive maintenance at optimal timing according to the condition of the device or equipment in order to ensure safety and reduce maintenance costs. (5) Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) is an electric power-driven, fully automated new transportation system with rubber tires to provide a smooth ride and reduced noise.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. (MHIENG), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) based in Yokohama, Japan, has newly established a Technical Service Center in Singapore within Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (MHI-AP), MHI’s regional subsidiary, to strengthen operation, maintenance and after-sales servicing operations for its transportation system products in Asia.
As MHI’s regional hub for transportation service operations in Asia, the Technical Service Center will collaborate with existing service facilities in the region to reinforce local support, acting as a one-stop service center manned by transportation system experts who will cater to customers’ enquiries and requests post-delivery, and propose new services in line with customer needs. The hub is also intended to introduce new services, such as failure prevention and diagnosis, as well as remote monitoring incorporating digital and AI technologies. It will collaborate closely with local government authorities and transportation system operators, enabling enhanced safety and reliability of local transportation systems — a fundamental social infrastructure. In these ways, the Center will seek to provide responses and solutions to regional challenges, provide greater convenience and facilitate countries’ overall economic development.
MHIENG has supported Singapore’s transportation infrastructure building for roughly two decades. Since 2003, the company has participated in a project to boost the transport capacity of the AGT (Automated Guideway Transit(1)) systems used on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (Light Rapid Transit(2)) lines, to cope with increased ridership. MHIENG completed an APM (Automated People Mover(3)) project linking the terminals at Changi Airport in 2007 and related expansion work in 2019, as well as provides operation and maintenance services for the APMs under an ongoing contract. Additionally, MHIENG undertakes transportation system servicing operations in other Asian locations: in the Philippines, the company performs maintenance and repair for Line 3 of Manila’s Metro Rail Transit (MRT) system(4), and in Macau it provides maintenance services for carriages used on the Macau Light Rapid Transit system inaugurated in 2019.
Mr Yoshiyuki Hanasawa, Executive Vice President and Chief Regional Officer for Asia Pacific and India at MHI, and Managing Director of MHI-AP, expressed: “The new Technical Service Center in Singapore is an integral part of MHI Group’s expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. This is an exciting opportunity for us to serve as the bridge between our customers in Asia Pacific and local transportation systems in the region by providing exceptional support to facilitate their overall economic development.”
Mr Kenji Terasawa, MHIENG President & CEO commented: “The Technical Service Center demonstrates our continued efforts and commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. With Singapore’s proximity to key markets in the region, we look forward to supporting the local transportation infrastructure in the various countries by enhancing operations and maintenance.”
Through the new Technical Service Center, MHIENG will be able to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems in Asia. It will also respond to a broad range of customer needs such as the expansion of existing lines, transport capacity increases, system upgrades and digitalization, through its expertise and provision of reliable services.
(1) An Automated Guideway Transit system operates fully automatically on electric power. Use of rubber tires results in a smooth and quiet ride. (2) LRT conventionally is broadly used as the abbreviation of “Light Rail Transit”; but in the case of Singapore’s Sengkang-Punggol LRT, the “R” refers to “rapid” in accordance with that network’s high-speed operation. (3) An APM is an AGT serving an airport. APMs link terminals or connect airports with their nearby auxiliary facilities. They are adopted at airports worldwide. (4) Line 3 is an urban transit system serving the greater Metro Manila area.
Effective today, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has changed the name of its London-based European subsidiary from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe, Ltd. to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, Ltd. (MHI-EMEA). The change reflects the entity’s expanded role as MHI’s regional headquarters for the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
The name change goes hand in hand with the launch of a new leadership structure, with MHI Executive Vice President Kentaro Hosomi taking up the positions of MHI Chief Regional Officer (CRO) for the EMEA region and MHI-EMEA Chief Executive Officer. “Having been deeply involved in MHI Group’s energy transition strategy, I will focus on integrating and expanding our diverse business activities relating to the energy transition. Europe and the wider EMEA region has been a key driver behind global efforts towards achieving net-zero targets. I look forward to strengthening our collaborative partnerships with our customers and stakeholders to accelerate the achievement of a sustainable carbon-free society,” commented Kentaro Hosomi.
Also effective April 1, 2021, MHI-EMEA has expanded its operational footprint with the establishment of a new branch in Duisburg, Germany and a liaison office in Brussels, Belgium. Prof. Emmanouil Kakaras, Executive Vice President NEXT Energy Business, will lead the new team that will focus on the growth of MHI’s energy transition related business. At the center of activities will be the company’s expertise along the hydrogen value chain and broader decarbonisation technologies, particularly in light of the recent initiatives across the region to mitigate climate change and meet net-zero targets.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.
