Initiatives towards low carbonization

Idemitsu Kosan is working to transition to new businesses by providing low-carbon solutions for coal boilers and making maximum use of the management Resources and knowledge it has cultivated through the operation of coal mines. Through these efforts, we will promote the transformation of our business portfolio and contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality society.

Initiatives to supply black pellets (biomass fuel)

We are engaged in the supply business of "Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets," black pellets that are a biomass fuel that can be used as an alternative to coal. We believe that this is an efficient CO₂ reduction measure because it can be used without modifying existing coal boilers, and is a realistic solution to achieving a better energy mix.

Idemitsu's keywords

What is biomass fuel?

It is an energy Resources made from organic matter other than fossil fuels. While wood biomass fuel emits CO₂ when burned, plants absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis during their growth, which offsets the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere overall, making it "carbon neutral."

Background and aims of the initiative

Coal-fired power generation emits more CO₂ per kWh (power generation) than other power sources. The aim is to reduce CO₂ emissions by replacing coal with biomass fuel.

the next deployment

We have been providing information to customers while producing samples and accumulating manufacturing know-how in Vietnam. We are currently preparing for commercial operation.

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Sales of boiler control optimization system ULTY-V plus AT

ULTY-V plus AT

The boiler control optimization system "ULTY-V plus AT" functions simply by connecting it to existing boilers that use coal, heavy oil, biomass, etc. as fuel in power plants and factories.
The system uses AI (artificial intelligence) to learn and perform a series of self-contained controls (measurement, analysis, and judgment) to improve boiler efficiency, thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The product is sold by NYK Idemitsu Green Solutions Co., Ltd. a joint venture between our company, NYK Line NYK Trading Corporation, Ltd., and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.
Besides Japan, we also sell to Southeast Asia, including Taiwan and Indonesia.

structure ULTY-V plus AT is connected to the boiler control system and performs corrections to fuel flow control using a control program equipped with AI functions.
effect Reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 0.5-1.5%.
Sales destination We not only deliver to customers such as domestic power companies and factories in various industries, but also sell to Taiwan, Indonesia, and other countries, and we plan to further expand our sales area in the future.
Seller NYK Idemitsu Green Solutions Co., Ltd.

Development of carbon recycling technology

In order to promote innovation in carbon recycling technology (technology that utilizes CO₂) by treating CO₂ as Resources, the Agency for Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry established the Carbon Recycling Office in 2019. At the same time, we started research and development of carbonation technology, which is one of the carbon recycling technologies, and is a technology for manufacturing synthetic calcium carbonate (synthetic calcium carbonate: CaCO₃) using concrete waste and CO₂ contained in exhaust gas from boilers, etc.

Development of carbon recycling technology

Our synthetic carbon production technology has two methods using waste concrete (waste concrete) and residual concrete (residue concrete) as raw materials.

当社の合成炭カル製造技術

Environmentally friendly mine operations and mine site rehabilitation

自然環境の維持向上

We strive to operate our mines with consideration for environmental conservation. While continuing to monitor dust, noise, vibration, water, greenhouse gases, etc., we are working to confirm and minimize the impact of our operations on local communities.
In addition, at mine sites where mining has been completed, after backfilling and leveling the land, we carry out rehabilitation by planting trees and restoring nature to its original form. Through this, we strive to reduce the impact on biodiversity and maintain and improve the natural environment.

Taking on the challenge of renewable energy business utilizing former mine sites and infrastructure, etc.

Consideration of solar power generation business (Australia)

In Australia, the government is promoting an energy transition towards decarbonization. Additionally, the country is large and has climate conditions such as wind and sunlight that are suitable for producing renewable energy, so compared to other regions, it has the potential to produce renewable energy cheaply and stably.
Our company is considering a project that would utilize idle mine land and power lines in Australia to generate solar power and supply electricity to the mine and local area.

Consideration of pumped storage hydropower generation (Australia)

Pumped storage hydroelectric power generation is one method of hydroelectric power generation. During the day when solar power generation increases, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir using inexpensive renewable energy, and water is pumped from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir during the hours when demand is expected from morning to evening. It generates electricity by guiding it down.
Our company is considering a power generation and supply business that would convert the former mining site into a lower reservoir and make use of the surrounding hilly land.

Consideration of cultivation of biomass fuel raw materials (Australia and Indonesia)

We are considering growing raw materials suitable for pellet production near the mine to produce biomass fuel and using the mine's existing infrastructure for transportation.

Promoting entry into the critical minerals business (Australia)

Australia is blessed with abundant mineral Resources, and we are promoting our entry into the rare metals business, which has an affinity with coal mining operations and is essential for realizing a low-carbon society.

vanadium mining project

vanadium mining project

We have acquired a majority stake in Vecco Group Pty Ltd, which is developing a vanadium mine and electrolyte plant project, and are now making a full-scale entry into the critical minerals business. The Vecco project aims to build a value chain of local production for local consumption, including mining vanadium-containing ores, refining them into vanadium pentoxide, and producing vanadium electrolyte for vanadium flow batteries*.

  • Vanadium flow battery: A battery that stores energy in an electrolyte. It has characteristics suitable for use as a large-scale storage battery for power grids, such as the ease of expanding battery capacity and long life, and is attracting attention as a battery that can contribute to the promotion of the introduction of renewable energy.

lithium mining project

lithium mining project

We have invested in Delta Lithium Limited, which promotes the lithium business, with the aim of contributing to the accumulation of lithium mining knowledge and stabilizing the production and supply of lithium ore in geopolitically stable Australia.
Demand for lithium is expected to accelerate due to the electrification of mobility, including electric vehicles (EVs), and the expansion of demand for large, stationary storage batteries.