Apr 1, 2023 | Business
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) have entered into an agreement to conduct a feasibility study on a project to develop a CO2 value chain for CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage), including transporting CO2 captured in Japan to overseas, utilizing it to produce e-methane, synthetic gas produced through methanation, and storing it underground.
The project aims to establish an efficient CO2 value chain, leveraging Osaka Gas’s know-how on e-methane production and CO2 storage and MHI’s expertise in CO2 capture, liquefied CO2 maritime vessel transport, and CO2 management.
To that end, the project partners will examine methods to capture CO2 emitted from the Hard-to-Abate industries, such as steel, cement, and chemicals, and transport liquefied CO2 using ships. Osaka Gas and MHI will conduct a feasibility study on the entire CCUS scheme, including CO2 utilization for e-methane and underground sequestration, in corporation with companies from a wide variety of industries.
The project also plans to expand its CCUS scheme through the trade and transfer of CCUS’s environmental value quantified by CO2NNEX, a digital platform under development by MHI and IBM Japan for visualizing CO2 value chain.
Through this project, Osaka Gas and MHI aim to contribute to achieving a carbon neutral society by 2050, combining the two companies’ technologies developed to meet their respective goals for net zero emissions.
About e-methane
Methanation is a technology for synthesizing methane, the main component of natural gas, from hydrogen and CO2. The resulting product is known as e-methane. The use (combustion) of e-methane results in no effective increase in CO2 for society as a whole because CO2, which is normally emitted into the atmosphere, is captured and recycled for use in producing e-methane. Also, methanation is expected to be an economically efficient way of achieving carbon neutrality, with e-methane being distributed through the existing gas infrastructure and combusted in existing gas appliances, requiring no large-scale investment for constructing new energy systems or modifying the existing ones.
About CO2NNEX
CO2NNEX is a digital platform to provide transparency and flexibility in the distribution of CO2 and its environmental value in the rapidly expanding CCUS value chain toward a carbon-neutral society. IoT will connect actual CO2 data, and blockchain technology will guarantee its neutrality, fairness along with advanced information security.
For more information, please see the following press release: www.mhi.com/news/210506.html
About Osaka Gas
Osaka Gas announced the Daigas Group Carbon Neutral Vision in January 2021 for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 mainly through the introduction of carbon neutral gas produced by methanation, decarbonization of its power sources primarily through the use of renewable energies and the reduction of carbon emissions. The company is also conducting a number of studies on developing methanation projects overseas – notably in Australia, South America, North America, and Southeast Asia – for the commercialization of methanation technology.
On March 9,2023, the company’s Energy Transition 2030 was released to present the overall picture of the company’s transition to low-carbon and carbon-neutral energy and the company-s transition initiatives and solutions for a lower-carbon society in 2030. Osaka Gas works on schemes to produce e-methane through methanation from CO2 captured from the Hard-to-Abate industries, such as steel, cement, and chemicals, or inject CO2 into underground storage, aiming to reduce customers’ CO2 emissions and contribute to achieving a circular economy that decreases environmental burdens.
About MHI
MHI Group is actively involved in programs targeting the realization of a carbon neutral society. Building a CO2 ecosystem is central to its energy transition initiatives. As a global leader in CCUS, the company aims to accelerate this ecosystem development by seeking widespread adoption of related hardware as well as the CO2NNEX digital platform.
Oct 3, 2021 | Business
Osaka University and Fujitsu Limited today announced the establishment of the Fujitsu Quantum Computing Joint Research Division as a collaborative research division at the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (hereinafter QIQB) of Osaka University.
The newly-established research division will focus on the development of foundational technologies for fault-tolerant quantum computers, which are able to perform accurate calculations while correcting errors that occur in quantum bits (qubits). These efforts will draw on the respective strengths of the two partners, combining QIQB’s advanced quantum error correction and quantum software technologies with Fujitsu’s applied knowledge in computing and quantum technologies.
More specifically, QIQB and Fujitsu aim to develop quantum software for fault-tolerant quantum computers with up to several thousand qubits as well as technologies to verify its error correcting operations.
Going forward, the two partners will strengthen their cooperation in R&D towards the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing technologies to innovate solutions to complex societal problems through quantum technology.
Background
Quantum computers, which make use of the principles of quantum mechanics including quantum superposition states and quantum entanglement (1), offer the potential to one day revolutionize computing, significantly exceeding the capabilities of conventional computing technologies to perform high-speed calculations.
Fault-tolerant quantum computing, capable of accurate and large-scale high-speed calculations using error correction codes, may become a key technology especially in the fields of drug discovery and finance, which require a technology able to solve complex and large-scale problems at high speed.
In March 2020, Osaka University established QIQB in order to promote quantum information and quantum biology research, focusing on research in a wide range of fields ranging from quantum computing, quantum information fusion, quantum information devices, quantum communications and security, quantum measurement and sensing, and quantum biology.
QIQB has also been chosen as the main center for quantum software research in the field of quantum technology of the COI-NEXT program (2) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and thus plays an important role in Japan’s strategy for quantum technology innovation.
Cooperating with domestic and overseas research institutes, Fujitsu has been engaged in full-scale research and development of quantum computing since 2020, aiming to further improve the performance of computing technologies.
Leveraging its quantum-inspired computing (3) solution “Digital Annealer”, which is designed to solve large-scale combinatorial optimization problems, Fujitsu is providing customers solutions in various fields like drug discovery and logistics.
In October 2020, Fujitsu started collaborative research (4) with Osaka University on quantum error correction. The establishment of the “Fujitsu Quantum Computing Joint Research Unit” will further strengthen R&D in fault-tolerant quantum computer systems.
Outline of the Joint Research
1. Name: Fujitsu Quantum Computing Joint Research Division
2. Location: Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (QIQB), International Advanced Research Institute (IARI), Osaka University (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
3. Research Period: October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024
4. Research Contents: R&D of Quantum Software for fault-tolerant quantum computers
*Assuming a quantum computer with a scale of several thousand qubits, the joint division will research and develop an error correction algorithm able to restore the original information from faulty qubits, as well as technologies to evaluate the performance of this algorithm.
*In order to perform quantum computation using logical qubits (5) generated through quantum error correction codes, the joint division will focus on the R&D and implementation of a set of software solutions required from program input to the result output.
With regard to future practical applications of this technology, the division will furthermore verify the operation of these solutions using a virtual machine environment to evaluate the effects of noise add up.
Roles and Responsibilities
Osaka University
– Contribution to further R&D in the field of quantum error correction technology on a scale of several thousand qubits based on its knowledge of quantum error correction technology
– Development of a set of software necessary for performing quantum computation using logical qubits and verify its application in a virtual machine
Fujitsu
– Generation of quantum error correction algorithms for quantum computers on a scale of several thousand qubits based on its expertise in computing
– Development of a set of software necessary for performing quantum computation using logical qubits; application of the software to a virtual machine and verification of its operation
Future Plans
In order to contribute to the further development of quantum computing science and technology, Osaka University and Fujitsu will strengthen their cooperation with a variety of research institutions and companies. Through the practical application of the results of this joint research, the partners aim to contribute to an early practical application of quantum computing with the potential to drive innovations and create a sustainable society.
Osaka University and Fujitsu will also collaborate with related industries and the academia to support the training of new human resources in the field of quantum technology.
All company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.
(1) Quantum entanglement:
Quantum mechanical phenomenon of nonlocal correlations between two distant systems
(2) COI-NEXT:
Industry-academia collaboration program in which universities and other organizations take the lead in formulating a vision for a future society. The aim of this program is to promote ongoing research and development towards the realization of this vision, as well as to form an independent, collaborative unit of industry, academia and government members able to deliver results even after the completion of the project. In 2020, QIQB was chosen as an international research hub for policy focused areas (quantum technology) of the program. (Quantum Information and Quantum Life Research Center, Osaka University (QIQB) HP)
(3) Quantum-inspired technology:
A number of acceleration technologies inspired by quantum technology, but not quantum effects.
(4) Joint research on quantum error correction:
“Fujitsu Commences Joint Research with World-Leading Institutions for Innovations in Quantum Computing” (October 13, 2020 press release)
(5) Logical qubits:
Qubits able to perform quantum logical operations without errors. Logical qubits are generated through the encoding of multiple qubits by a code able to correct quantum error codes.
About Osaka University
Osaka University was founded in 1931 as one of the seven imperial universities of Japan and is now one of Japan’s leading comprehensive universities with a broad disciplinary spectrum. This strength is coupled with a singular drive for innovation that extends throughout the scientific process, from fundamental research to the creation of applied technology with positive economic impacts. Its commitment to innovation has been recognized in Japan and around the world, being named Japan’s most innovative university in 2015 (Reuters 2015 Top 100) and one of the most innovative institutions in the world in 2017 (Innovative Universities and the Nature Index Innovation 2017). Now, Osaka University is leveraging its role as a Designated National University Corporation selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to contribute to innovation for human welfare, sustainable development of society, and social transformation. https://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/en
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 126,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$34 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.
