Initiatives toward realizing a hydrogen society
Tohoku Electric Power Co.,Inc.
Outline
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (hereinafter “Tohoku Electric Power”), Tohoku Electric Power Network Co., Inc. (hereinafter “Tohoku Electric Power Network”) participate in “Hydrogen social construction technical development project/Hydrogen energy system technical development/Technical development concerning business model construction and the large-scale actual proof of a re-energy use hydrogen system” (hereinafter “the Project”), a technology development project previously solicited by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter “NEDO”). Through the Project, the five companies will advance technology development for expanding the use of hydrogen that is derived from renewable energy and optimally utilize hydrogen energy operation system for expanding the use of renewable energy, aiming to commercialize a sustainable power-to-gas business model in 2030 and beyond.
Description
Hydrogen is a concentrated energy source that can be stored for a long period and transported over long distances. It has emerged as the fuel-of-choice for fuel cells and fuel cell vehicles. Our vision is to use hydrogen generated in renewable energy and to establish a cycle (called P2G system) that is expected to be completely CO₂-free.
Alongside the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter “Toshiba ESS”), Iwatani Corporation (hereinafter “Iwatani”), and Asahi Kasei Corporation (hereinafter “Asahi Kasei”), Tohoku Electric Power and Tohoku Electric Power Network are taking part in feasibility studies, which began in July 2020, for the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) in the town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. The Project enables the facility to become one of the world’s largest production sites that utilizes renewable energy.
The facility has the capacity to generate 1,200 Nm3 of hydrogen per hour (during rated operation) from renewable energy and other sources. Based on adjustments of grid demand and supply, this is intended both to put renewable energy (which entails considerable output variation) to maximum use and to establish clean, low-cost hydrogen production technologies and technologies to enable practical implementation of the power-to-gas concept.
Toward these ends, the project seeks to achieve progress in various control systems (hydrogen energy operation system, control system on the grid side, and hydrogen-demand forecasting system) and in water electrolysis.
In particular, Research and development to heighten each control system is directed toward greater functionality of the hydrogen energy system as resource for adjusting supply and demand through the addition of a reverse-power-flow function for the solar generated power based on electric power system reforms and electricity market trends.
Research and development to further heighten water electrolysis technology is directed toward optimization of membrane replacement frequency based on evaluation of degradation of components and apparatus over time as well as reducing the cost of the water electrolysis equipment by reviewing the structure and materials of the electrolysis cell frames.
(Reference) The roles of each company
Toshiba ESS・・・Supervision of overall project and the overall hydrogen energy management system
Tohoku Electric Power・・・Verification of the use of large-scale power-to-gas system on the premise of stable power supply
Tohoku Electric Power Network・・・Adjustment of supply and demand in the power grid by using power grid control system
Iwatani・・・Hydrogen demand prediction system and storage and transportation of hydrogen
Asahi Kasei・・・Technology development for reduced maintenance cost of water electrolysis equipment
Partner(s)
- NEDO
- Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
- Tohoku Electric Power Network Co., Inc.
- Iwatani Corporation
- Asahi Kasei Corporation
Supplementary information
Press Releases
Expansion and reinforcement of technology development project for practical storage and use of energy using hydrogen
—Extension of term and expansion of consigned companies for NEDO renewable energy system technology development project in Namie town, Fukushima Prefecture—
https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/1216231_2558.html
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