NHK



 

Researchers at two major Japanese firms have launched tests of a promising new fuel source that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Japanese machinery maker IHI and electricity producer Jera have started trials at a thermal power plant in central Japan that mixes ammonia with coal.

Ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide. Researchers hope the mixture can be readily adopted at existing plants.

IHI is also testing power generation that uses only ammonia at a plant in Yokohama City near Tokyo.

The company managed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by almost 100 percent with simple modifications. The firm hopes to put the technology into commercial use starting in fiscal 2028.

An IHI official said that companies with shared ideas need to work together. He added that they have to expand these kind of cooperative efforts not only with Japanese firms but also with foreign companies.

Eneos Holdings has also been developing artificial crude oil or synthetic fuel in Japan. It is made by synthesizing carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

The Japanese government aims to put it into commercial use in the 2040s.