Global Warming Trends andMitsubishi Technologies
TOMOAKI OHMURA*1

TAKAAKI FURUYA*1
YOSHINORI OKI*1

Global warming is the most critical global issue of the 21st century, and greenhouse gas emission reduction policies alone may beinsufﬁcient to solve the problem. Thus, the development of a social system in which energy security, environmental protection, andsustainable economic growth (3E) are all achieved simultaneously and the expansion of 3E efforts that advance and disseminate
energy- and environment-oriented technologies are essential. To further the achievement of a sustainable international society,our company has expanded our solutions businesses to meet high-level social needs through the use of comprehensive techniques
integrating the technologies and products that we have cultivated as a vendor of energy- and environment-oriented products andelemental technologies in other products.

will account for 27, 34, and 27%, respectively, of the world’s
energy, indicating that fossil fuels will remain the world’s
primary energy source.
The recent rise in oil prices to nearly $100 a barrel has
caused rumblings around the world. This sharp increase
may have resulted from a combination of factors, including
OPEC production controls, declines in oil reﬁnery operating
rates, and the influence of speculative investment. Anotherfactor is the increase in liquid fuel demand in developing
countries, stemming from improvements in the standard ofliving (e.g., motorization). As a result, we must reconsider

1. Background
Modern society is based on fossil fuel energy sourcesthat have accumulated over several hundred million years.
Our reliance on fossil fuels has led to global environmental
concerns about the depletion of natural resources and energy
sources, as well as global warming.
The recent rise in crude oil prices and the surge in resource
prices have led to a reconsideration of the importance of astable energy and resource supply (i.e., energy security) andthe environment (i.e., environmental protection), including
global warming policies. Sustainable economic growth is agrowing concern, and the simultaneous achievement of the3Es is fast becoming a critical issue in the 21st century.
In this report, we ﬁrst outline recent trends in energy andenvironmental issues, before describing the products andtechnologies of our company that can contribute to achieving
the balanced concept of 3E.

: Asia: North America: Europe OECD
: Non-Europe OECD

Equivalent to oil, million tons

2. Trends in energy and global warming policies
2.1 Energy trends
Energy consumption is thought to increase with economic
growth and has soared globally with the economic growthof populous countries such as China, which has maintained
a high 9.7% average annual economic growth since 1980.
Asia/World Energy Outlook 2007,1 published by the Instituteof Energy Economics, Japan, predicts that primary energy
supply and demand will increase 60% by 2030, with Asia
accounting for about 40% of the global energy supply anddemand (Fig. 1).
The supply and demand of natural gas, which emits less
CO 2 , is predicted to increase. Natural gas, oil, and coal

7000
6000
5000
4000

Annual average
growth rate
'80-'05 '05-'30
World 1.9% 1.9%
4.5% 2.9%Asia
NorthAmerica 1.1% 1.0%

3000

: Central and South America: Middle East
World: Africa
10,300: Oceania
million tons
in 2005
16,500
million tons
in 2030(1.6-foldincrease)Asia
3,200million tons
in 2005

3,200
million tons

6,500
million tons

6,500
million tons
in 2030(2-foldincrease)

2000
1000
01971

1980

1990 2000 2005 2010 2020
Year2030

Fig. 1 Regional primary energy consumption worldwide
Source: Asia/ World Energy Outlook 2007 (Institute of Energy
Economics, Japan)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol. 45 No. 1 (Mar. 2008)*1 Technology Planning Department, Technical Headquarters2

As one of the most successful energy-conserving societies
in the world, Japan has agreed to disseminate its energy
conservation technologies around the world. Post-Kyoto,Japan will be required to develop and introduce mechanisms
and ef fective f rameworks that can maintain industrial
competitiveness while transmitting its outstanding energy
and environmental technologies and products to developing
countries.
2.3 Necessity of 3E expansion
The 21st century may be a century of mighty market
mechanisms as globalization advances in every sense. It will
be increasingly important to consider the effects and limitsof market mechanisms, while also taking into account theeconomic discrepancies that exist between developed anddeveloping countries and that are also proliferating in JapanF r a m e wo r k s t h a t c a n ke e p 3 E ( e n e r g y s e c u r i t y,environmental protection and sustainable economic growth)in balance are essential in managing energy security andglobal warming.
The surge in oil prices suggests that demand may soon
exceed supply. If hydrocarbon fuel prices continue to rise,a shift to alternative energy sources that are competitive in
price with fossil fuels will occur, causing further changes insupply and demand (Fig. 3).
In terms of 3E, both energy security and environmental
protect ion policies would benef it f rom energ y source
diversification such as a shift to environmentally soundnatural gas, clean use of abundant coal resources, promotionof nuclear power, and advanced use of natural (renewable)energy sources that are economically rational.

3. Our efforts and proposals

400: Mauna Loa (Hawaii)390: South Pole380
: Ryouri (Japan)
370
360
350
340
330
320
310
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Year

0.5

14.5

0.0

14.0

-0.5

13.5

1850

1900

1950

Temperature (°C)

3.1 Our efforts in energy and environmental ﬁelds
The simultaneous achievement of 3E requires the (1)reduction of final energy use (energy conser vation andimproved efficiency on the user side), (2) improvement of(°C)

CO2 concentration (ppm)

the importance of energy security.
2.2 Global warming policy trends
T he I nt ergover n ment a l Pa nel for Cl i mate Cha nge( IPCC) 4th Assessment Report, 2 published in February
2007, predicts that air temperatures will rise 1.1–6.4°C from1990 to 2100 because of increasing CO 2 concentrations inthe atmosphere. A lready, increasing temperatures haveresulted in rising sea levels and extreme weather events,
with serious impacts on ecosystems and people alike.
Thus, global warming may have significant effects on theessentials of human sur vival, such as food, water, andhabitable areas (Fig. 2).
Extreme events related to global warming (e.g., floods,heat waves, and El Niño events) have already caused
extensive damage around the world. Several indicators ofglobal warming have also been observed in Japan, including
reduced ice drifts in the Okhotsk Sea, earlier blooming
seasons, and shifts in animal and plant habitats.
I n response to global war ming, the Kyoto P rotocolcame into effect in February 2005, providing momentum
to several international efforts. However, in Japan, CO 2
emissions in 2005 were 7.8 % higher than those in 1990,
despite a 6% reduction goal, and emissions in the EU wereonly 2% lower, despite an 8% reduction goal, indicating thedifﬁculty of achieving Kyoto Protocol targets during the ﬁrst
commitment period (2008–2012). 3,4
One problem is that not all developed countries aresharing the responsibilit y for reducing CO 2 emissions.
Although Japan is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, somemajor emitters such as the U.S., China, and India are not.
Discussions have been held about a future framework for thesecond commitment period starting in 2013 (post-Kyoto),
but there are many complicated energy and economic issues,
not only between developed and developing countries but
also within the two groups, as each country accelerates theestablishment of its own national strategies and policies.

2000Year(b) Change in global average temperature
between 1961 and 1990(a) Change in atmospheric CO2 concentration
over 50 years

Fig. 2 Interannual variations in atmospheric CO2 concentration and global air temperature(a) Interannual variation in atmospheric CO2 concentration over the past 50 years.
Source: Climate Change Monitoring Report for 2006 (Japan Meteorological Agency)(b) Interannual variation in global mean air temperature between 1961 and 1990.
Source: IPCC 4th Assessment Report 2007, Japan Center for Climate Change Action (http://www.jccca.org/)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol. 45 No. 1 (Mar. 2008)

3turbine combined cycle (GTCC) technologies. In addition,
we have promoted the use of CO 2 recovered from exhaustgas and have developed energy recovery systems for sludge
and other byproducts.
3.2 Proposals for 3E expansion
3.2.1 3E expansion in Japan and the rest of Asia
A s outlined above in “ Trends in energ y a nd global
warming policies,” the energy purchasing power of Japan
will inevitably become weaker than that of China and other
Asian nations, which continue to significantly increase
their energy demand. Thus, as energy security becomes anincreasingly critical issue in Japan, the tight supply of anddemand for electric power and the associated environmental
concerns are becoming critical elsewhere in Asia, as a resultof economic growth.
One solution for these problems is to expand 3E, notseparately in Japan or the rest of Asia but collectively
throughout the entire region, by the following means (Fig. 5):(1) I mplement energ y sou rce d iversi f ic at ion a ndenv i ronment a l measures in A sia by dissem inat ing
the energ y- and environment- oriented products andtechnologies that Japan has built up, including nuclear
power generation, renewable energy systems, and coalgasiﬁcation.
(2) Produce coal-based liquid fuels and associated chemical
products in Asian locations for use on the Asian mainlandand export to Japan.
(3) Introduce and disseminate these technologies and theexport and import of liquid fuels and associated chemical
products through partnerships between Japan and theCarbon-rich fuelCoal
Tar
Biomass

Substitution of oil

Oil

Diffusion limit
in each fuel market

LPG

Supply-down
and price-up zone

Associatedgases
Natural gas
Hydrogen rich fuelSubstitution of oil
Stable supply and stable price zone
2000 2010 2020 2030
YearFig. 3 Rollover point for each fuelenergy production efficiency (reduction of primary energyuse), (3) promotion of low-carbon energy use (nuclear power
and renewable energy), and (4) recovery, storage, and use
of generated CO 2 . Our company possesses a wide variety
of products and technologies that help to curb the negative
effects of economic growth that lead to increased energy
consumption and CO2 emissions (Fig. 4).
To reduce dependency on fossil fuels, we have soughtto achieve high conversion ef ficiency, to reduce wastematerials generated in energy conversion, and to enhance
the use of renewable energy such as nuclear, solar, wind, andgeothermal. We have also taken steps to further improve thealready unsurpassed thermal power generation efﬁciency ofintegrated coal gasiﬁcation combined cycle (IGCC) and gas

Present
Fossil energy
Use of existing fossil fuels• Coal and oil• LNG and LPG• Unconventional
fossil fuelNuclear energy

Reduction inthe use offossil fuels anddiffusion ofalternativefuels

Expansion of
the use ofnuclear energy

Expansion of usage• Recycling of nuclear fuelRenewable energy• Solar power, wind power,
water power, geothermalpower• Wave power, tidalpower, seawatertemperature difference• Biomass

FutureExpansion of
the use ofrenewableenergyReduction, storage,
and making it harmless

Energyconversion
Efficiency improvement• Boilers, IGCCs, gas turbines• Fuel cells, combined cycle
power• Internal combustion engines,etc.

• Dedusting, desulfurization,denitration, etc.
• CO2 storage in the deep seaand underground• CO2 fixation in forests, etc.

Electricity, powerand heat use

Energyconversion
Effective use of nuclear energy• Fast breeder, nuclear fusion• Use of nuclear heat(high-temperature gas-cooledreactor)• Reliability and safety
improvements• Use in industry,
civilian applications,transportation, agriculture,forestry, fisheries• Energy saving• Usage of waste heat

Energyconversion• Power generation, etc.

Fig. 4 Energy- and environment-oriented products and technologies of MHI contributing to the simultaneous achievement of 3E

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol. 45 No. 1 (Mar. 2008)

4

Environmental
measures in Asia
Effective use of
Asian energy
resources

Coal mining

Natural gas
production

Nuclear powerstation

with nuclear power. This diversiﬁcation and clean use ofenergy sources would reduce the use of natural gas andoil, which are valuable foreign currency generators. Thus,
energy diversiﬁcation could lead to economic growth andnew industries (fuels and associated chemical products)
in Asia that are based on local energy sources.
(2) Beneﬁts for JapanThe global energy supply and demand for fossil fuels
would be mitigated as both Japan and the rest of Asia
turn to the use of liquid fuels and associated chemical
products produced in Asia. This, in turn, would lead toan energy source surplus, thus ensuring energy security
in Japan. Domestic industries would be able to maintainand enhance industrial competitiveness and technologies
by disseminating energ y- and environment- oriented
products. Although its purchasing power and negotiatingpresence have gradually weakened, Japan could use
3E expansion as a power f ul card in negotiating theacquisition of energy interests and the purchase of energy
resources in Asia.
3.2.2 3E expansion in Japan
Energ y securit y is also dependent on improving thedegree of energ y sel f- suf f iciency. T he use of biomass
resources may prove to be an important tool both to correct
growing regional disparities in Japan and to improve energy
self-sufﬁciency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In their global warming initiatives, the United States andBrazil have recently encouraged the use of ethanol fromagricultural products as a vehicle fuel. They also view this as
an opportunity to improve and revitalize agriculture and rural

Renewable energy

Thermal power station

Improvement ofthe energy
security of Japan

Supply of fuels and chemicallysynthesized products
Gasification
Production of liquid
fuel and chemicallysynthesized products
Japanese
existing technology
Asian industrial
development
Participation in technicalsupport businesses<Advantages to Asian countries>• Industrial development byeffective use of domestic
resources• Development of clean fuels andelectric power required foreconomic progress<Advantages to Japan>• Securing import of fuelsand chemicallysynthesized products• Developing Asian markets
by using advanced
technology

Fig. 5 Cycle showing the simultaneous achievement of 3E
through collaboration between Japan and the Asianmainland

rest of Asia, at intergovernmental and corporate levels.
Expanding 3E in Japan and the rest of Asia will benefit
both parties in the following ways:(1) Beneﬁts for the Asian mainland
Electric power supply and demand could be mitigatedby effectively using abundant local coal resources at
low environmental loads and by integrating their use

Absorption of CO2

Realizationof 3Es

Local consumption of
locally produced productsForest
conservation

Conservation of water resources,
by watershed protection forest andimplementing other protection measures

Activation offorestry

Activation of local economy

Use ofrenewable energy

Energy security and global warming
countermeasures

NO CO2Liquid fuel production
Fuel production facilities
Methanol, DME

Timber fromforest thinning
Lumber, waste lumber
Agricultural waste(rice straw, etc.)
Nuclear energy

Renewable energy

Biomassfuel

HydrogenUtilityinterconnections

Hydroelectrolysis
H2

O2

Hydroelectrolysis
stackVehicle
fuelKitchen
fuelFig. 6 Cycle showing the simultaneous achievement of 3E using biomass resources in Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol. 45 No. 1 (Mar. 2008)5communities. Ethanol is an excellent fuel and is integrated
into the conventional infrastructure for liquid transportation
fuels (i.e., gasoline). However, its use competes with foodproduction and is problematic in effectively reducing CO 2emissions.
In contrast, our company is developing technologies toproduce liquid fuels from cellulose biomass (thinned wood,agricultural waste materials, etc.) that does not compete withfood production. For 3E expansion using this technology,
we propose a low-carbon liquid fuel production process thatuses abundant local resources such as cellulose biomass andsolar/wind energy (Fig. 6).
This process may help to preserve forests and farmlandthat serve the public interest (e.g., water source preservation)and may also revitalize agriculture, forestr y, and local
communities in Japan. It will serve as a stepping stone toimprove energy self-sufficiency by promoting renewableenergy use.

treatment, and recycling.
While energy security is important for national security
in Japan, the mitigation of global warming is becoming
an important diplomatic issue. Japan must disseminate
the energy- and environment-oriented technologies thatit has cultivated to rapidly developing countries such as
China, India, and Southeast Asian nations, where energy
consumption is increasing. Mitsubishi plans to continue
providing products and services that enable 3E expansion
and to promote further innovation of our technologies andbusinesses.
References
1. Asia/World Energy Outlook 2007 issued by the Institute of Energy
Economics, Japan
2. IPCC 4th Assessment Report 2007, Environmental Data ( JapanMeteorological Agency)
3. Progress Report of Action Plan for Meeting Japan's commitment
under the Kyoto Protocol (May 29, 2007), The Global Warming
Prevention Headquarters ( Prime Minister of Japan and HisCabinet)
4. European Environment Agency: Press release, 15 Jun 2007, EU
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decrease in 2005

4. Conclusion
T he assurance of stable energ y sources, preventionof global warming, and development of sustainability are
critical issues facing modern society. The integration ofrecycling into societal practices of fers one solution tothese problems. This shift would require scientific andtechnological innovation to improve energy conversion andutilization efﬁciency and the promotion of policies regarding
environmental protection (air, water, soil, etc.), waste

Tomoaki Ohmura

Takaaki Furuya

Yoshinori Oki

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol. 45 No. 1 (Mar. 2008)6