MHI and Mitsubishi Power to Participate in Online Environmental Exhibition Organized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment -- Event Will Showcase Japan’s Environmental Technological Strengths and Global Environment Initiatives to a Worldwide Audience --
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･ Nation’s state-of-the-art technologies and decarbonization initiatives will be on view in five thematic zones
･ Approximately 30 companies and organizations will participate, with attendees able to move freely about the VR exhibition space by avatar
Tokyo, March 2, 2021 – From March 3 through 23, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. will take part in “Virtual Japan Pavilion: Innovation for 2050 net-zero,” an online environmental exhibition organized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The event will introduce the innovative technologies and current initiatives of the country’s businesses and organizations toward achieving decarbonization, demonstrating the nation’s technological strengths in environmental matters and its commitment to protecting the global environment.
The event will take place in a virtual reality (VR) exhibition space divided into five zones on specific themes: GHG Reduction 1 (harnessing the power of nature: wind, hydrogen, and fuel-cells); GHG Reduction 2 (technologies for collecting and using GHGs); Circular Economy; Lifestyle; and Support Activities. Each zone will introduce Japan’s cutting-edge environmental technologies and initiatives being taken to achieve decarbonization. Approximately 30 companies and organizations are slated to participate. Participants and visitors will be able to move freely around the online pavilion using one of four avatars*1 at their disposal. Communication among the attendees will also be possible via the avatars, making for an enjoyable experience different from exhibitions held in the real world. A panel discussion will also be held featuring experts from various countries reporting on the current state of climate transparency activities in the ASEAN*2 region and the challenges that will be faced in the years leading to 2030.
In October 2020 Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared that Japan will pursue full carbon neutrality*3 by 2050, setting in motion an urgent quest to achieve technological innovations in all aspects necessary to reach that goal. MHI and Mitsubishi Power firmly believe they can contribute towards attaining the 2050 target by reducing CO2 emissions in the energy sector and simultaneously advancing CO2 recovery initiatives, while monitoring the “3E+S” balance*4. Hydrogen fueled gas turbines, for example, can be achieved simply by modifying a several components of an existing natural gas thermal power plant and then can be operated using the supply of hydrogen. By pursuing early CO2 reductions and stimulating hydrogen demand, MHI Group can play an important role in achieving the energy transition, a strategic company focus.
Going forward, MHI Group will proactively pursue the development and social application of innovative environmental technologies making use of its comprehensive lineup of products and technologies built up over many years. Efforts will focus on producing and storing carbon-free hydrogen and ammonia, capturing CO2 and converting it to other uses, making existing thermal power plants more efficient and carbon-free, etc.
Notes
*1: A character representing a user in a virtual realm.
*2: Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
*3: The total offset of greenhouse gas (CO2, etc.) emissions by carbon absorption by forests, etc.
*4: A key energy policy focused foremost on safety while simultaneously pursuing energy security, economic efficiency and environmental improvement.