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Notice of Change of Representative Director

Notice of Change of Representative Director  

April 1st, 2024
GPSS Engineering Inc.

We would like to report the following personnel changes effective from April 1st.

Takahiro Kurata, 
Former title: Representative Director and Chairman
New title: Representative Director

Tomofumi Ono, 
Former title: Representative Director
New title: Director  

Together with our executive officers, we will continue to devote ourselves to the development of the company's business, and we look forward to your continued support and patronage.
We would like to express our best wishes by publishing this on our website. 

GPSS Engineering
Takahiro Kurata, Representative Director 

by eng_gpss

GPSS Group, Japan, and CYTOK GmbH, Germany, agree on exclusive partnership

GPSS Group, Japan, and CYTOK GmbH, Germany, agree on exclusive partnership

Two innovative companies are sending a clear signal to strengthen Japanese-German economic relations. Through a cooperation agreement, they combine know-how, performance and market access and thus open up new markets.

May 29, 2023
GPSS Holdings Inc.

GPSS Group is a corporate group that aims to realize a sustainable society through energy supply business using sustainable resources such as solar, wind, small and medium-sized hydropower, geothermal, and biogas.
We consider untapped natural potentials such as water, wind, and heat in local communities as “commons*,” and under the slogan ” Beginning from the local community” we establish joint energy supply projects with communities to make society sustainable.（https://gpssgroup.jp/home_en/）

*The term “commons” refers to resources that are the property of the entire society and should be maintained and managed together.

The German CYTOK GmbH is an innovative technology company and one of the few system suppliers for power-to-gas energy systems that deliver green electricity, heating and cooling from renewable sources. The globally patented technology includes an emission-free energy storage system that uses a power-to-gas technology developed in Rostock in northeastern Germany. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cytok/)

GPSS Engineering Japan, a member of the GPSS Group, and CYTOK GmbH have agreed to form an exclusive partnership.

Following intensive and very trustful talks, the managing directors Tomofumi Ono of GPSS and Martin Weiss as well as Klaus Schirmer of CYTOK signed a strong and long-term partnership agreement. The agreement offers both partners the opportunity to combine their strengths in the field of innovative and sustainable plant development and thus to make field-tested power-to-gas systems available to the market.

“It is our mutual objective to set a strong signal in the fight against climate change with the combined know-how of both companies in order to keep our planet livable for future generations,” said the managing directors of CYTOK.

Takahiro Kurata, Co-CEO of the GPSS Group, said, “We would like to contribute to the world by expanding CYTOK’s technology, which is already in use in Germany, to Asia”.

CYTOK’s technology uses generated green electricity 100% decentralized on site, achieving a very high degree of utilization. This is made possible by the power-to-gas component, which enables the storage of large capacities of energy. The CYTOK system converts the green hydrogen generated in the first step without storage directly into green methane. This allows the use of existing and economical components from the natural gas technology without costly adaptations for hydrogen. This solution can be deployed immediately for the existing infrastructure and is redundant to the existing power and gas networks.

The CO2 required for methanation according to the Sabatier process is kept in a closed loop. It is captured and stored from the combustion of the self-generated methane and then used again and again in the production of methane. As a result, no CO2 emissions are produced despite the combustion of green natural gas. Furthermore, due to a special combustion process, no nitrogen oxides or fine dust are produced – the patented process is completely emission-free.

CYTOK’s sustainable energy solutions

GPSS will receive from CYTOK the exclusive right to market the patented technology in Japan, Taiwan and possibly later in other Asian countries. In addition, CYTOK will transfer its know-how and experience from the planning, installation, and commissioning of the complex plants to the new Japanese partner. GPSS thus has a unique selling point in the Asian region. In return, CYTOK receives a strong and reliable partner and, thanks to their excellent market knowledge and contacts in Asia, market access to a new mega market.

Initial pilot projects with the innovative technology are already in the planning phase and will be launched in further joint steps over the next few months.

Both companies are delighted with the new partnership and the opportunities it opens up for both of them.

Contacts
GPSS Group
PR/Communication Group
Email: pr@gpss.jp

Cytok GmbH
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cytok/

by eng_gpss

First in Japan! The GPSS Group Solar Sharing with Cacao Cultivation

News Release

January 27, 2021

First in Japan!
The GPSS Group Solar Sharing with Cacao Cultivation

The GPSS Group is a corporate group which invests in a wide range of power generation projects that produce sustainable energy, including solar, wind, small and medium-sized hydropower, geothermal, and biogas. Other business areas include project structuring, investment management, engineering, and energy resource research.

The GPSS Group, together with Local Landscape Co., Ltd. which grows cacao and manufactures and sells original chocolate, in Fukuchihara, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture, has started a solar-sharing power generation business "Sustaina-Cacao".

Solar sharing, which enables both crop cultivation and solar power generation by placing solar panels on farmland, is attracting attention as a next-generation form of farmland utilization.
Since the start of the permit system for the agricultural land conversion in 2013, the recognition of this system has gradually increased, and various crops such as vegetables, rice (paddy rice), and fruits have been produced through solar sharing, but solar sharing with cacao cultivation is the first in Japan.

Masaaki Mezaki, the group's CEO, said, "Most cacao is grown in tropical regions. It is not well known how difficult it is to grow cacao in Japan, and that cacao is sensitive to direct sunlight. Located in the south of Japan, Okinawa is also blessed with a great deal of sunshine. Solar sharing with cacao cultivation in Okinawa is also a good fit because the solar panels provide shade”.

“Sustaina-Cacao” Solar Power Plant

Cacao is a fruit tree that grows in the hot and humid tropics between latitudes 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south across the equator (the so-called cacao belt). Okinawa is located at 26 degrees north latitude, slightly outside the cacao belt, but Local Landscapes is aiming to create people with well-being, communities, and chocolate through cacao cultivation unique to Okinawa through repeated trial and error.

GPSS Group sympathizes with Local Landscapes' idea of "contributing to the discovery of local resources, the creation of local industries, and ultimately the realization of a sustainable society through our own actions” and has decided to support OKINAWA CACAO with its own solar sharing know-how.

Group CEO, Mr. Mezaki said, "Encountering people like Mr. Kawai, the President of Local Landscapes, who is passionate about realizing a sustainable society, has led us to another new power generation business. We will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by providing our expertise to many people who share our goals.

The "Sustaina-Cacao" power generation has already delivered its energy to Okinawa via Okinawa Electric Power Company on August 11, 2020.

■Inquiry about this news release
PR team at GPSS Group
Email ：pr@gpss.jp

Attachment 1.
[GPSS Group's Solar Sharing]
The GPSS Group, using its own know-how, has already conducted solar sharing projects with grass cultivation in Shikabe and Mitsuishi in Hokkaido, and these two power generation facilities, like “Sustaina Cacao”, are managed and operated by Mirai Society Inc. which is a member of GPSS Group.

The Solar Power Plant in Shikabe

The Solar Power Plant in Mitsuishi

Attachment 2.
[OKINAWA CACAO at Valentine's World in Matsuya Department Store in Ginza]
The theme for Matsuya Ginza's Valentine's Day in 2021 is "Traveling Valentine".
Under the pandemic, you can't travel, so chocolates from all over Japan will be gathered under the concept of enjoying Valentine's Day as if you were "traveling".
OKINAWA CACAO, which will make its first appearance in a department store, will be exhibited as a sustainable chocolate.
https://store.matsuya.com/search/index.html?condCidTop=vd&q=OKINAWA%20CACAO%E3%80%80#reorder

Attachment 3.
[Overview of Sustaina-Cacao Power Generation Facility]
(1) Power plant name: Genka Fukujibaru Solar Power Plant
(2) Location: Fukujibaru, Genka, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
(3) Operator: GPSS Holdings Inc.
(4) Farm management: Mirai Society Inc.
(4) Rated output: Approx. 50 kW
(5) Annual power generation: Approx. 600 kW
(6) Start of power generation: August 11, 2020
(7) Facility design: GPSS Engineering Inc.
(8) Construction: Takunan Factory Co., LTD

Attachment 4.
[Stakeholder overview]
Local Landscape. Co., Ltd
Company name: Local Landscape. Co., Ltd
Representative: Kei Kawai
Establishment: March 28, 2016
Capital: 3 million yen
Headquarters: 555 Tagari, Ogimi-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
Business: Cacao cultivation and research, chocolate production, and sixth industrialization business
Official website: https://okinawacacao.com/

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Dry coolers to revolutionize cooling systems: GDI signs distributorship agreement with LU-VE Group

Press release

Jun 24, 2020
Geothermal Development & Investment Inc.

Dry coolers to revolutionise cooling systems:
GDI signs distributorship agreement with LU-VE Group

Geothermal Development & Investment Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomofumi Ono; hereinafter ‘GDI’) has concluded a distributorship agreement with the Italian LU-VE Group (Head Office: Varese, Italy), which boasts a large share of the global market in the field of heat exchangers for industrial cooling, refrigeration and air-conditioning, and will begin providing dry coolers.

Dry cooler of LU-VE Group

■ Purpose of entering into the Distribution Agreement

GDI invests in geothermal power projects, creates, and operates geothermal power projects in collaboration with local communities, and designs and operates geothermal power plants. The company also imports and sells generators and various equipment from overseas.

This time, we have concluded a distributorship agreement with LU-VE Group, which allows us to provide dry coolers developed and manufactured by LU-VE Group as sales agents in Japan for geothermal development.

There are two types of cooling systems: air-cooled (dry coolers) and water-cooled. Although the water-cooled system has superior cooling performance and efficiency, there is a risk of the outbreak of Legionella and the burden of operating costs related to water management is an issue. At the same time, air-cooled systems have not been widely used in Japan, as they have lower cooling performance and efficiency.
However, LU-VE Group's innovative technologies have enabled us to achieve the equivalent performance and efficiencies in air-cooling systems as in hybrid water-cooling systems.

At present, many cooling systems in Europe are air-cooled. They are not limited to geothermal power generation, but are used in many industries, such as industrial waste heat power generation. We believe that the widespread use of air-cooled cooling towers will have an impact on the Japanese industry. GDI aims to transform Japanese cooling systems from water cooling to air cooling by promoting the use of air-cooled cooling towers with LU-VE Group that are superior in performance, efficient, easy to operate, and environmentally friendly. In addition, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, which is the Group's philosophy.

■ About LU-VE Group
Since its founding in 1986, LU-VE Group has introduced new methods for devising and manufacturing refrigeration and air-conditioning products using industry-leading technologies. As one of the world's leading manufacturers of innovative technology and high-quality heat exchangers, the company is headquartered in Varese, Italy, and has manufacturing facilities in nine countries: Italy, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, India, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. It is an international company with sales companies in fourteen countries.

■ Stakeholder Overview

(１) LU-VE Group

Company Name : LU-VE Group
Head Office : Via Caduti della Liberazione, 53 21040 Uboldo - Varese - Italy
Website : https://www.luvegroup.com/

(2) Geothermal Development & Investment Inc.

Company Name : Geothermal Development & Investment Inc.
Representative : Tomofumi Ono
Established In : March 2015
Capital : 47 million yen
Head Office :〒105-0014 6th Floor, Shiba-Koen ND Bldg., 2-5-10 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Businesses : Investments in geothermal power generation projects, etc.
Website : https://www.chinetsu.com/en/company.html

■ Inquiries regarding this release

GPSS Public Relations Office
Email : pr@gpss.jp
TEL :03-6435-2391
[GPSS Group]
Based on the corporate philosophy of ‘Realizing a Sustainable Society by Utilizing Sustainable Energy,’ GPSS Group, develops, arranges, and invests in power generation projects using sustainable energy.

by eng_gpss