Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems) has secured an order from Aisan Industry Co., Ltd. to install a large-scale Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system at Aisan’s upcoming Anjo Plant in Aichi Prefecture. This marks the first practical deployment of an ATES system in Japan’s Chubu region and the fifth such installation nationwide, including demonstration and social implementation projects. The project is being facilitated through Obayashi Corporation, which is overseeing the plant's construction. Scheduled for operation in winter 2025, the ATES system will provide air conditioning at the plant. By leveraging high-efficiency centrifugal chillers and advanced control technologies like automatic mode-switching, the system is expected to cut annual CO2 emissions by approximately 50% compared to traditional air conditioning systems. This innovation has earned recognition under Japan’s Fiscal 2023 CO2 Emission Control Subsidy Program. The ATES system utilises underground aquifers as natural heat storage, cycling heat between seasons—for instance, storing winter’s cold for summer cooling and summer’s warmth for winter heating. This technology has garnered accolades, including the Energy Conservation Center, Japan Chairman’s Award and the Demand Side Management Award. Aisan Industry’s new Anjo Plant aims to achieve carbon neutrality while advancing digital transformation (DX). The plant will feature automated 24/7 production lines, collaborative robots, IoT-integrated quality assurance, and efficient logistics. MHI Thermal Systems’ ATES system will play a pivotal role in supporting these sustainability and innovation goals by enhancing energy efficiency and promoting the use of natural energy sources. (Bisinfotech)