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Transforming Energy at East Yamagata Industrial Park

In an innovative move towards sustainability, several companies at the East Yamagata Omori Industrial Park have initiated a project to convert their energy sources to natural gas. This project involves key players such as Sakurambo Smart Energy LLC, Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions (TGES), Japan Petroleum Exploration Company (JAPEX), Yamagata Gas, and several notable manufacturing firms, including Resonac Hard Disk, Nihon Doro, Ace Japan, and Yamamoto Seisakusho. Together, these organizations aim to reduce their carbon footprint through this collaborative effort.

The project includes the installation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) satellite facilities and boilers by SakuramboSE, which will supply steam to Resonac Hard Disk through an innovative boiler ESP business model. Yamagata Gas will then retail this gas, ensuring an efficient supply chain for the companies operating within the industrial park. This collaboration is particularly significant as it targets the conversion from conventional fuels such as kerosene, heavy oil, and LPG to cleaner natural gas, with expectations of reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 1,600 tons annually.

Moreover, this initiative has been recognized as the first of its kind to receive approval under Japan's Ministry of the Environment's SHIFT program, highlighting its innovative approach to fostering a low-carbon industrial environment through inter-company cooperation and shared energy resources. By setting a precedent for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in industrial settings, this initiative serves as a model for future sustainable energy practices in similar industrial sectors.

This project represents a critical advancement in Yamagata Prefecture's commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050, endorsed by Governor Michiko Yoshimura. By leveraging the support from local government initiatives and resources, this collaborative project is positioned to significantly impact the local economy, improve operational efficiency, and foster community growth.

Company Insights

Sakurambo Smart Energy’s Perspective

Naoki Inoue, director of SakuramboSE, expressed gratitude for the support from local governments and emphasized the importance of this collaboration in reducing environmental impacts while bolstering regional development. He affirmed the commitment to safety and effective operations as they respond to community expectations.

Insights from TGES

President Takayuki Uenaka of TGES highlighted the value that their expertise in gas and energy services brings to this collaboration. He expressed enthusiasm about contributing to regional decarbonization efforts and reiterated TGES's commitment to delivering sustainable solutions in the future.

JAPEX's Commitment

JAPEX President Michio Yamashita acknowledged the collaborative effort that made this project possible and reiterated their focus on providing cleaner energy services based on natural gas, improving energy efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.

Contributions from Yamagata Gas

Yamagata Gas President Satoshi Nagai noted the achievement of initiating natural gas retail services in areas previously unserved by pipeline extensions, marking a significant step in promoting energy diversification and CO2 reduction efforts.

Each partner organization reaffirmed their commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and fostering economic growth in Yamagata Prefecture. As they advance through this initiative, there is optimism about achieving the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050, affirming shared responsibility for a sustainable future.

Local Government Support

Local officials have also shown support, with the Yamagata Prefecture's Energy Policy Promotion Division lauding this project as integral to the region's energy transition and a model for future initiatives across industrial parks in the area.

The East Yamagata initiative stands as a beacon of how collective action can achieve both economic and environmental benefits, paving the way for a greener industrial future.