Asahi Group to Exhibit at COP28 Japan Pavilion
Showcasing new technology that generates fuel cell power using biomethane gas from wastewater treatment process of brewery, contributing to carbon neutrality
(Tokyo, Japan - November 27, 2023) – Asahi Group Holdings today announced its participation in the COP28 Japan Pavilion together with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. The companies will showcase their new technology, “Development of a fuel cell Power Generation using carbon-neutral Biomethane Gas from Wastewater Treatment Process of Brewery”, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.
The pavilion is an exhibition organized by Japan's Ministry of the Environment to coincide with the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. This marks the second time that Asahi Group has exhibited at a COP-related event, making it the only Japanese food and beverage company to do so.
The COP28 Japan Pavilion is a platform to display innovative products and services developed by Japanese companies that contribute to global decarbonization and climate change adaptation. Asahi Group will exhibit its innovative technology that harnesses biomethane gas generated during the wastewater treatment process at its beer breweries to produce electricity using fuel cells - a carbon-neutral power source*1.
The Group’s objective is to achieve real-world implementation and stable operation of power generation facilities utilizing this technology. As of October 1, 2023, the technology has successfully generated continuous electricity for 17,008 consecutive hours using biomethane gas and city gas. The power generation facilities, with a generation output of 200 kW, can supply approximately 1.6 million kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to approximately 350 average households. This technology is projected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000 tons*2. In order to expand the application of this technology to a wide range of industries, including the food and beverage industry, the Group is disclosing as much information as possible, without acquiring patents.
In line with the Asahi Group Environmental Vision 2050, where the Group outlines what it envisions the world could look in 2050, Asahi Group aims to achieve "Beyond Carbon Neutral" by reducing carbon emissions society-wide, beyond the boundaries of its business operations. By publicizing this upcycling technology, which utilizes carbon neutral energy derived from brewery wastewater, Asahi Group aims to help reduce the carbon emissions in society as a whole, steering the world towards a carbon-free society.
- As defined by the International Energy Agency (IEA)
- According to in-house research
The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) is a conference of international organizations, national governments, local governments, NGOs, and businesses which gather to discuss international policies and rules to curb global warming. First held in 1995, this year's event will be the 28th such gathering.
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Development of a fuel cell Power Generation using carbon-neutral Biomethane Gas from Wastewater Treatment Process of Brewery