MHI Thermal Systems Receives Two 2022 “Demand Side Management Awards”

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received commendations in two categories of the 2022 “Demand Side Management Awards” sponsored by the Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan (HPTCJ), an organization that promotes the adoption of heat pumps and thermal storage systems through presentation of awards recognizing especially outstanding technologies that contribute to power load leveling. The “MSV2” series of high-efficiency air-cooled heat pump chillers adopting an “e-3D scroll” compressor received the HPTCJ Chairman’s Award in the Machinery & Equipment category, and the innovations in energy savings of the company’s factory heating and cooling system using an aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) system received the HPTCJ Promotion Award in the Integrated Systems category.

The MSV2 heat pump chillers, which were launched in Japan’s domestic market to respond to increasing refrigeration load demand, were highly acclaimed by HPTCJ for their contribution to power load leveling. Because they can be installed in multiple units through modular connection, outstanding energy-saving proposals can be offered to accommodate diverse thermal loads. Earlier, the MSV2 received the 2020 Energy Conservation Grand Prize sponsored by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ) and supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The ATES system, an air-conditioning system that makes use of unutilized stored geothermal heat, won high accolades for its significant proven energy savings and its potential environmental performance for maintaining an underground heat balance of zero on a full-year basis. The system is in operation at the MHI Thermal Systems Kobe Works, located on the grounds of the MHI Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works. The HPTCJ award marks the system’s third commendation, following receipt of the 2019 Japan Society of Civil Engineers Environmental Award and the 2021 ECCJ Energy Conservation Grand Prize.