Sweet Potato Power Generation
Our goal is to make 100% effective use of resources by recycling.
We started a power generation business converts biogas into electricity and provides it to power companies.
In 2014, we installed a facility that converts biogas produced from shochu lees and sweet potato scraps into electricity and provides it to power companies.
Until then, the biogas produced was only used as fuel in our factory and we could not use all of it.
We can almost achieve 100% utilization by converting our unused biogas into electricity and providing it to power companies.
We will not only manufacture and sell shochu, but also promote recycling. Through our power generation business that effectively utilizes Kyushu-grown sweet potatoes, we aim to revitalize the local community while being environmentally conscious.
"Sweet Potato EV e-imo", the company car powered by sweet potatoes
In 2021, we installed a charging station at our Headquarters Factory and launched 4 company EVs (electric vehicles) that is mainly powered by electricity generated from sweet potatoes, called the "Sweet Potato EV e-imo".
To create a design that will be familiar to local residents, we wrapped the cars in an illustration of the "KIRISHIMA SATSUMAIMO CYCLE".
We want to take this opportunity to switch all company vehicles to electric vehicles.
In the same year, we signed a memorandum with Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture to enable them to be used as power support for evacuation shelters in the event of a natural disaster.
Steps towards starting Sweet Potato Power Generation
Effective use of agricultural products
“We want to fully cherish locally harvested products such as shochu lees and sweet potato scraps, the source of our biogas.” This desire was the catalyst for our electric power generation business.
Utilization of biogas
Biogas produced from shochu lees and sweet potato scraps was being used in our factories, but the unused biogas was simply being burned and not put to effective use.
Generating electricity with power generation facilities
We turn the wasted biogas into electricity at our power plant. We produce 8.5 million kWh (kilowatt hours)※1, Equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 2,400 households※2.
- Results from October 2014 to September 2015
- Based on the annual electricity consumption
of about 3,600 kWh per household (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
