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 --

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.