Mitsubishi Chemical will proceed with activities aimed at promoting energy conservation and reducing greenhouse gases based on Mitsubishi Chemical Holding`s target of "reducing greenhouse gas emissions more than 17% compared with fiscal 2005 levels by fiscal 2015" in its APTSIS 15 mid-term management plan. On the energy conservation front, Mitsubishi Chemical is also involved in ongoing efforts with respect to the non-binding targets set forth in the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy-saving Act) of "reducing unit energy consumption by an average of 1% or more annually, seen from a medium- to long-term perspective."
Towards meeting these targets, the petrochemical plant energy conservation project begun in fiscal 2008 entered its fourth year in fiscal 2011. Project activities, including the identification and technical consideration of energy-saving initiatives to implement and the formulation of implementation plans are currently underway at four plants, Mizushima, Kashima, Kurosaki and Yokkaichi. In fiscal 2011, improved heat collection through plant-wide steam balance optimization and process reforms was applied to large petrochemical plants in Mizushima, Kashima and Yokkaichi, resulting reduced energy usage equivalent to around 40,000 tons of CO2.
In fiscal 2011, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission fell far below fiscal 2010 levels on account of the long-term stoppage of the Kashima Plant due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and decreased production due to economic slowdown. In terms of unit energy consumption, the increase associated with the worsening of operating conditions outweighed the reduction effects of energy-saving efforts. The unit energy consumption index stood at 93.9 compared with fiscal 1990, 10% worse than the previous year. However, due to factors such as continued energy-saving activities, although the drop in production was greater than during the 2008 recession, the figure did not worsen to the unit energy consumption index value of 96.8 recorded in that year. Further, greenhouse gas emissions marked a 28% drop compared with fiscal 2005.
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group will continue striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the entire Group and develop and manufacture products that help conserve energy, thereby contributing to society's overall reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Mitsubishi Chemical submits actual energy consumption amounts, energy consumption reduction plans and other reports to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry each year, as a specified consigner*1 stipulated by the amended Act on the Rational Use of Energy that went into force in April 2006. For achieving the Act's target of reducing unit energy consumption by an average of 1% or more annually, seen from a medium- to long-term perspective, Mitsubishi Chemical has sought effective energy usage together with transport contractor Mitsubishi Chemical Logistics Corporation. Attempts are also being made to reduce CO2 emissions.
Mitsubishi Chemical has boosted the efficiency of coastal shipping vessels engaged in domestic sea transport and vehicles used for land transport by increasing lots (shipping lot volumes). Also, "friend" fins*2 are attached to coastal shipping vessels, paint coatings which improve fuel efficiency are applied , and about 300 transport vehicles are equipped with on-vehicle terminals that support eco-friendly driving, in addition to eco-friendly tires.
In addition to these initiatives, in fiscal 2011 Mitsubishi Chemical also initiated a switch to export ports located closer to its production plants. However, due to business restructuring and the Great East Japan Earthquake which struck on March 11, 2011, fuel-efficient rail transportation volume decreased. In addition, there was a fluctuation in the ratio of means of transportation available. As a result, unit energy consumption decreased by just 0.2% year-on-year, falling short of the target of "reducing unit energy consumption by 1% or more annually." CO2 emissions decreased 14% year-on-year.
In fiscal 2012, Mitsubishi Chemical will continue the initiatives it has pursued to date and endeavor to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
*1 Specified consigner: Business entity that transports 30 million tons-km of cargo in its possession each year *2 "Friend" fin: A tactic for obtaining large thrust force by attaching several fins to the stern in front of the propellers, thereby regulating the water flow to the propeller. The propeller's torque is suppressed by the water flow-regulating function, enabling navigation with fewer rotations per minute. This method helps conserve energy and reduce CO2 emissions
Figures enclosed in parentheses for fiscal 2009 and figures from fiscal 2010 onwards are specific consumption units excluding the transportation of unladen vessels.
Achievements through a power consumption reduction project at a power-generating plant
Chihiro Utsunomiya
Technical Group, Manufacturing Department 1, Yokkaichi Plant
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
The role of the power-generating plant is to supply utilities such as electricity or steam to complex users reliably and at low cost. On the other hand, it is also the plant with the highest levels of CO2 emissions, and due to recent social conditions, reducing environmental load and CO2 emissions have become significant challenges.
Against this backdrop, I was in charge of a project to reduce power consumption at the power-generating plant. While the main purpose of the plant is to generate electric power, it also consumes power for itself. I believed I would be able to reduce power consumption by focusing on the equipment consuming the greatest amount of power and employing inverter technology*3. This was my first project, and while I ran into various obstacles on the way, I overcame them one at a time. When I confirmed the energy-saving effects, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. This project was a great opportunity to give deep consideration to energy conservation and reducing CO2 emissions, and I realized that there were many ways to save energy hiding in plain sight in my daily life as well. Looking ahead, I hope to continue finding new ways to save energy and put them into practice.
*3 Inverter technology: A technology that adjusts fan air volume and reduces motor power consumption by controlling a motor's rotational speed.