Advanced Coal Boiler Control Optimization System Exhibited at Japan-China Green Expo 2017

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd (head office: Tokyo; representative director and CEO: Takashi Tsukioka), NYK Trading Corporation (head office: Tokyo; president and representative director: Keiji Tsuchiya), and NYK Line (head office: Tokyo; president: Tadaaki Naito) jointly exhibited at the Japan-China Green Expo 2017,* a major trade fair in Beijing, China, showcasing Japanese environmental technologies, products, and services from June 13 to 16. The three companies introduced ???ULTY-V plus,??? a control optimization system for coal-fired boilers and environmental initiatives.

???ULTY-V plus??? contains the attributes of its predecessor, ULTY-V, in addition to newly incorporated AI and IoT features. The system was jointly developed by the three companies and will hit the market this October. ???ULTY-V plus??? enables the boiler to be precisely controlled, thus resulting in greater optimization of performance. Furthermore, the system can be coordinated to remotely supervise operation data, and various technical services can be provided.

In China, about 70 percent of primary energy is from coal, and environmental concerns are increasing yearly. About 1,000 representatives of Chinese companies interested in environmental technology and energy conservation visited the ???ULTY-V plus??? booth, and videos and pamphlets were used to emphasize environmental initiatives. Technical staff made presentations to guests who use boilers in power plants and factories, and questions were actively fielded.

 The three companies will continue to contribute to the prevention of global warming and to the realization of a sustainable society by reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions through the promotion of ???ULTY-V plus??? both inside and outside the country.

* Japan-China Green Expo 2017

International exhibition jointly organized by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Nitchu Green Expo Management, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the China Association of Environmental Protection Industry. About 40 companies exhibited this year.

Development and Sales of the Coal Boiler Control Optimization System, ULTY-V plus -Promotion of Energy Conservation Due to the Equipping of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT Features-

Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; representative director and CEO: Takashi Tsukioka; hereinafter ???Idemitsu Kosan???), NYK Trading Corporation (head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; president and representative director: Keiji Tsuchiya) and NYK Line (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; president: Tadaaki Naito) are pleased to announce that the three companies have been successful in the joint development of ???ULTY-V plus???, which has equipped AI and IoT features into the ???ULTY-V???, a control optimization system for coal fired boilers. From October of this year, sales will start for domestic and overseas power stations and factories, commencing with the customers of the three companies.

Fluctuations in fuel supply often cause boilers used in power plants and factories to operate in an unstable manner. ???ULTY-V??? is a system that can optimize the combustion control of boilers by being connected to the boiler control system, and can reduce fuel consumption through the realization of stable plant operation.

We have developed the ???ULTY-V plus??? equipped with AI and IoT features that autonomously carry out a series of operations of self-measurement, self-analysis and self-assessment in addition to the existing combustion control features in the ???ULTY-V???.

Through the use of AI, the subtle time-dependent changes of the boiler characteristics can be captured, and the boiler can be controlled to a high degree of precision based on internally accumulated data, and this increased control can lead to even greater optimization of performance.

Furthermore, due to the equipping of IoT features, it is possible to coordinate a remote supervision system of operation data, on-site cameras and small data loggers (*) on a network. We will evaluate the plant???s optimal control operating conditions by accumulating boiler data in real time through the utilization of Idemitsu Kosan???s highly efficient coal combustion technology and quality evaluation method for each brand, and develop various technical services including operational guidance to further improve combustion and economical efficiency as well as reduce the burden on the environment.

Our three companies hope that from here on we are able to contribute to the prevention of global warming and the realization of a sustainable society, by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the spread of ???ULTY-V plus???, both inside and outside the country.

* Data logger: A device to record various data measured and collected by sensors.

Reference

 [Outline of ULTY-V plus]

• Product name: Control optimization system for coal boilers, ULTY-V plus
• Target facilities: Coal boilers (pulverized coal-fired, fluidized bed combustion), and all other types of boilers
• Target fuels: Coal fired, coal/biomass fired, coal/byproduct fuel fired, heavy oil/byproduct fuel fired
• Fuel reduction ratio: 1.0% and above
• Installed record of ULTY-V: 54 (as of May 31, 2017)

NYK Selected for FTSE4Good Index for the 15th Straight Year

NYK has been selected by the FTSE Group,* a global index provider, as a constituent in the FTSE4Good Index, marking the 15th straight year that the company has been included in this major evaluation benchmark for socially responsible investment (SRI).**

The FTSE4Good Index is a leading indicator used by investors who place importance on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

NYK has also been selected for a number of SRI indices, including the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index (USA) and Morningstar (Japan).

NYK, as a good corporate citizen, will earnestly face its social responsibility, and contribute to the achievement of a better global society through the action of environmental preservation and other initiatives.

* Wholly owned subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Companies included in the index have met stringent ESG criteria and are positioned to capitalize on the benefits of responsible business practices.

** Investments in companies engaged in ethical activities and confirmed through financial analyses to meet established investment standards.

NYK Receives Japanese Pilots' Best Quality Ship Award

NYK Rumina, a container ship of NYK and Asuka II, a cruise ship owned and operated by NYK Cruises Co. Ltd. (head office: Yokohama; president: Hiroshi Hattori), have been recognized with the Best Quality Ship Award for 2016 by the Japan Federation of Pilots??? Associations (JFPA).* Today, an awards ceremony was held at the Todofuken Kaikan in Tokyo.

The Best Quality Ship Award was founded in fiscal 2003 with the aim of enhancing awareness of not only safe vessel operations but also the need for environmental conservation within our ports and oceans.

Comprehensive evaluations by pilots were done for vessels that requested pilot operations at pilotage districts throughout Japan during the months of September and October 2016, and in total seven vessels were recognized for their excellent operations.

The ships were evaluated for their sure implementation of safety measures, sufficient training of bridge crew in Bridge Resource Management,** directive and command systems on board the vessel, crew awareness for safe operations, and systems in place for easing cooperation with pilots.

NYK Group will continue its efforts to secure safety operations for on board and land-based parties, ensuring safety as our most important task.