News2006-1

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News2006-1 - Junuary to May -

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January

Contents

45-5
Small, High Efficiency Tubular SOFC
45-4
World's Fast and Most Creative Hydrogen Sensor - Ball SAW Sensor
45-3
New X-Ray Powder Diffractometer First Succeeds in Visualizing an Electron Density Distribution of Ceria
45-2
Trial Mass Production of Lithium Ion Batteries for Hybrid Vehicles
45-1
Indoor Use Residential FC Cogeneration System Participates in Large-Scale Demonstration Test Project

February

46-10
Another news on "EDLC Capacitor"

46-9
Residential FC cogeneration System Designed for Cold Region Use

46-8
New Reforming Technology
- Highly Efficiently Generate Hydrogen from Natural Gas -

46-7
Leasing Sales of "RX-8 Hydrogen RE" Starts

46-6
New Electric Double Layer Capacitor

46-5
First Demonstration Test of Kerosene Fueled FC Cogeneration System Designed for Cold Region Starts

46-4
Patent of Blue-Ray LED Will Become a 5th Wheel for Nichia

46-3
New Key Component for Reformer of Hydrogen Producer
For photographs, specifications, concept diagrams and principles of the hydrogen separation film module, click here.

46-2
New Electrolyte Membrane Using Polycyclic Aromatic Sulfonic Acid Based Solid Acid

46-1
Clearly Shows Remarkable Increase of Industry's Interest in FCs - FC EXPO 2006 -

March

47-12
2005 FC Market Research (Vol. 2) in Japan

47-11
New Type Large-Capacity Nickel Hydrogen Battery Enters Demonstration Test Stage

47-10
New Fuel Cell System for Powering Next Generation Ocean Explorer

47-9
New hydrogen generation photocatalyst - responds to visible light of sunlight -

47-8
Home-Use Energy War is Hot

47-7
MAZDA Finds Another Application of the Hydrogen-Fueled Rotary Engine Technology

47-6
Consumer's Interest in Residential FC Cogeneration Systems is Very Strong

47-5
Innovative CNT FET - Characteristic Stability in Practical Level -

47-4
Small, Compact "In-Wheel Type Integrated Motor Axle Unit Designed for FCVs and EVs

47-3
Hydrogen Society Demonstration Project Extends to Kansai Economic Area

47-2
Residential FC Cogeneration Systems Fed with Byproduct Hydrogen Directly from Near Chemical Plant

47-1
Bendable Micro-Array Fuel cell

April

48-12
40,000 hours and 1.2 million yen (about 10 thousands USD)
48-11
Operation Evaluation Data on Stationary FC Cogeneration Systems
- Disclosed by New Energy Foundation -
48-10
Innovative Mobile FC of 10W Based on New FC Technologies
- New Hydrogen Generation from Water and Aluminum
- New MEA of World's Highest Level Power Output Density
48-9
Another Big Company will Launch into Residential FC Cogeneration Market
48-8
SHARP Takes a Large Step Toward New Natural Energy Generation Business
48-7
Another New Type of Engine - Based on Hydration Reaction of Magnesium
48-6
Real Commercialization of Micro FCs in Mobile Terminals is Difficult in Immediate Future
48-5
New Large LCD Television Production Factory Installed with Sophisticated Distributed Energy-Supplying System - Using FuelCell Energy's MCFCs -
48-4
Sharp Rise of Casio's Stock Price
48-3
New Hydrogen Engine Based on Unique Ignition Method
48-2
World's First Hydrogen Engine Train
48-1
Innovative Technology of PEFC - 30% Increase of Power Generation Efficiency -

May

49-10
Introduction of High Performance Hydrogen Generator from H2 Gen Innovations Inc. - by Japanese Big Gas Companies -
49-9
4 to 5 Years Taken for Realizing Commercialization of Dye-sensitized Solar Cell
49-8
In 2007, Mobile Phone is Actually Equipped with Micro Fuel Cell
49-7
33% (LHV) and 76% = Power Generation Efficiency and Overall Efficiency
- Kerosene- or Paraffin-Fueled FC Cogeneration System for Residential Use -
49-6
Operation Test Results of Residential SOFC Cogeneration System of 1kW
49-5
56.1%LHV (50.5%HHV) = DC Terminal Power Generating Efficiency of DC 2.5kW Normal-Pressure SOFC Power Generation Unit
49-4
CHINO Sells Another FC Evaluation Tester (mini type)
49-3
22ml Cell Stack Generates 19.4W - micro fuel cell -
49-2
New SOFC Single Cell Evaluation Holder and New FC Evaluation Tester
49-1
Cold Season Running Test of Honda's FCX Succeeds.

News/Details

New/Details

45-5
Small, High Efficiency Tubular SOFC
NAIST (national institute of advanced industrial science and technology) has developed a small, high efficiency tubular SOFC.
In this SOFC, ceria-based ion-conductive ceramics, which is high in ion oxygen conductivity at low temperature, is used for the electrolyte. Nickel-ceria based ceramics is used for the fuel electrode, and lantem cobalt-ceria based ceramics is used for the air electrode. The SOFC is operable at 500 to 600 degrees Celsius, lower than that of the conventional one, and its power generation density is high, 1 watt per 1cm square at 570 degrees Celsius. It is expected to be used as a module member for the vehicle auxiliary power source, and the residential FC cogeneration system. A diameter of the fuel cell developed this time is 08 to 1.6mm. Generally, the ceria based ceramics is fragile for thermal shock, such as rapid heating. However, the fuel cell developed this time is reduced in size, and hence shock energy is not stored therein. Accordingly, the durability of the fuel cell is improved, and quick operation of the fuel cell is possible. This new FC technology will be presented in 2006 FC EXPO, January 25 to 27 in Tokyo, and the international FC conference, July in Swiss.
Details of the technology will be described if circumstances permit.
(Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd.)

45-4
World's Fast and Most Creative Hydrogen Sensor - Ball SAW Sensor
A researcher group led by professor Yamanaka in New Industry Creation Hatchery Center of Tohoku University has succeeded in making a wide-range hydrogen sensor on an experimental base. The sensor is based on a natural collimate beam, and is operable at the highest sensing speed in the world.
The center has a plan to provide an evaluation equipment developed this time and a sensor module to cooperative companies, and contemplates extending its application to many fields of fuel cell, environment, bio, etc.

Various types of hydrogen gas sensors, small in size and high sensing speed, have been developed since those are indispensable to the control and safe operation of the fuel cell.
The field effect transistor based sensor inter alia is highly sensitive and responsive to hydrogen gas, but it is saturated at about 1% (hydrogen concentration). Because of this, the FET based sensor is ineffective in predicting a hydrogen concentration increase to 4(concentration) as an explosion limit value.
The SAW (surface acoustic wave) sensor has also been used. When the surface acoustic wave that is excited by high frequency pulses, travels along a sensing film, which has absorbed gas molecules and varied its elastic characteristic, the phase and the amplitude of the surface acoustic wave vary. The SAW sensor utilizes the variations of the phase and the amplitude of the surface acoustic wave.
The SAW sensor has a wide sensing range, and is capable of sensing hydrogen at about 4% concentration as the explosion limit value. To increase the sensitivity of the sensor, however, a thickness of the sensing film must be increased. The increase of the film thickness results in long response time, 100 seconds or longer.
In this background situation, we discovered the following fact.
When a surface acoustic wave is transmitted under certain conditions, the surface acoustic wave propagates within and along an annular area having an finite width, which extends along a large circle of the sphere, thereby to form a natural collimated beam*. The collimated beam circulates around the sphere a large number of times without attenuation.

* A beam propagating along an area having a fixed width is useful for devices using light and sound, and has been formed by use of an optical element such as a lens element, and a medium having a refractive index distribution.
The collimated beam, which naturally propagates within and along an annular area of an finite width, which extends along a large circle of the sphere, may be called a "natural" collimated beam in a sense that to form the beam, there is no need of using the lens element or a medium having a refractive index distribution.

Based on the discovery, we invented a ball SAW sensor
(Fig. 2: http://www.niche.tohoku.ac.jp/?page=press_060112). which senses variations of acoustic velocity and attenuation of the surface acoustic wave circulating along the annular area.
Those variations are amplified in proportion to the number of circulations of the surface acoustic wave around the sphere. Because of this, a sensitivity of the sensor is extremely high.
A hydrogen gas sensor, co-developed in cooperation with
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (http://www.toppan.co.jp/english/index.html), Yamatake Corporation (http://www.yamatake.com/), and Ball Semiconductor Inc. (Texas) http://www.ballsemi.com/NEW/sitemap/Sitemap.asp.
could measure hydrogen over a broad range of 10ppm to 100% (hydrogen concentration).
The sensitivity of this sensor is 100 times as high as of the conventional surface acoustic wave sensor in which the surface acoustic wave propagates by one circulation (Fig. 1: http://www.niche.tohoku.ac.jp/?page=press_060112). This will be presented on IEEE Trans. UFFC.
A response time of the sensor, when measured, was about 20 seconds. This slow response was a problem of the sensor to be solved.

In our research this time, to demonstratively prove that the sensor has a high speed sensing ability, we increased a signal intensity by enhancing an accuracy of the element manufacturing process, improved composition stability of the sensing film that absorbs hydrogen, developed a measuring system capable of quickly heating the hydrogen gas, and reduced signal processing times.
The results were that the response time of the sensor was 4 seconds at room temperature and 2 seconds at 130 degrees Celsius.
This figure indicates that the response time of the sensor is reduced to 1/50 of the response time of the conventional SAW sensor, and that our sensor is faster than any type of the conventional sensors.
Thus, the resultant sensor is capable of sensing hydrogen of low concentration, is free from the saturation problem even at high concentration, and has a quick response.
The reason for achieving the high sensing speed is that the sensing film of the ball SAW sensor could be considerably reduced in thickness because the sensor per se is faster than the conventional SAW sensor.
By this excellent hydrogen sensor successfully developed by us, it is proved that the principle of the ball SAW sensor featured by the multiple circulations of the natural collimated beam effectively operates and is useful (This will be presented at The Japan Society of Applied Physics, March 2006).
http://www.jsap.or.jp/english/index.html
Our sensor has a great possibility of a further increase of the sensing speed, and we will continue further development of the sensor.
The operation principle of the ball SAW sensor is quite different from that of the conventional SAW sensor. Because of this, it is necessary to design the circuits and the evaluation devices anew in conformity with the ball SAW sensor.
Tohoku university has developed a new ball SAW element evaluation device in cooperation with Yamatake. In the evaluation device, the signal detecting method thus far developed was implemented by using a small circuit using FPFA (field programmable gate array). The evaluation device was designed to easily be handled by general sensor makers and laboratories.
Yamatake is plan to incorporate the ball SAW hydrogen gas sensor into a flow rate adjusting valve to be applied to a hydrogen station.
Toppan is plan to supply the evaluation device developed this time and a sensor module of 3mm in diameter to domestic and foreign laboratories which have needs of various sensors, and cooperates with Tohoku university to strategically develop the ball SAW sensor with the intention of applying it to a variety of fields, such as environment and bio fields.
The present research was conducted in cooperation with Tohoku University, Toppan, Yamatake, and Ball Semiconductor (USA) under science/technology promotion adjustment expenditure project sponsored by Ministry of Education. Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/index.htm

The conditions for forming the collimated beam were also found by our group. A width of the beam is approximate to a geometric mean of a diameter of a sphere and a wavelength of a surface acoustic wave.
Recent studies show that a crystal sphere having an anisotropy, such as a crystal, can also form the natural collimated beam.
Scientists are beginning to understand that our discovery is universal and fundamental in physics and materials treating wave motions.
The research group in France presented papers discussing the natural collimated beam as the subject.
http://www.niche.tohoku.ac.jp/index.php?page=project_yamanaka

Details of this news will be described soon.
See also Technology Details.
Related patent applications: Four patent applications in Japan (by our rough search)

45-3
New X-Ray Powder Diffractometer First Succeeds in Visualizing an Electron Density Distribution of Ceria
Yashima, assistant professor, Tanaka and Ida have succeeded in developing high performance X-ray powder diffractometer, and succeeded in first visualizing an electron density distribution of ceria in the world.
Ceria is used for the catalyst for the vehicle exhaust gas treatment and the fuel cell electrode material. Ceria was measured at 1703K, diffraction data was accurately analyzed, and an electron density distribution of ceria (oxide cerium) at the absolute temperature (1703K = 1430 degrees centigrade) was first visualized in the world.

The diffractometer has a resolution of 0.4%, and its analyzing speed is six times faster compared to that of the conventional one. The heater used is made of molybdenum silicide, and can be heated up to 1800K in the air, and its durability is high. Scanning for measurement is performed in the steps of 25, 30 degrees. The time taken for measurement is reduced from 44 hours to 7 hours.

Many materials are used and synthesized at high temperature, 1000 to 1600 degrees centigrade.
For example, the next generation solid oxide fuel cell is operated at 1000 degrees centigrade to secure high efficiency. The crystal structure and electron state of the material at such high temperature determines the properties of the material. For this reason, there is an increasing need of measuring and analyzing the material structure in conditions close to real conditions.

The new X-ray powder diffractometer will accelerate the material development.
The study results will be presented on Journal of American Ceramic Society to be issused in this spring.
(Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd.)

(See also 44-1: Next-Generation Electrode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
- Environment friendly, inexpensive, and low environment load - )

Yashima: assistant professor, in Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tanaka: Chief engineer in National Institute for Materials Science
Ida: assistant professor in Nagoya Institute of Technology

45-2
Trial Mass Production of Lithium Ion Batteries for Hybrid Vehicles
SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. has a plan to start trial mass production of lithium ion batteries for hybrid vehicles in March 2006.
The company will start the trial mass production at a production rate of 1000 lithium ion batteries per month in a new pilot line in the Tokushima factory, and will start the full-scale mass production of the batteries in 2007. The Tokushima factory is the largest production base of SANYO for producing lithium ion batteries in Japan.
The lithium ion batteries have widely been used for the second batteries in personal computers, digital cameras, etc, but are not yet practically used for hybrid vehicles because sufficient safety is not secured.
SANYO said that it has reached the point of securing sufficient safety of the Li ion battery when it is mounted on the vehicle.
(source: Nikkei Net)

45-1
Indoor Use Residential FC Cogeneration System Participates in Large-Scale Demonstration Test Project
Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd has reached agreements with Ebara Corporation and Ebara Ballard Corporation, and Matsushita Electric Ind. Co., Ltd on joint development of cold-region use residential FC (PEFC) cogeneration systems powered by natural gas.
It is to be noted that the residential cogeneration systems to be developed in cooperation with those companies are designed for indoor and cold-region use.

A number of residential FC cogeneration systems have been developed and manufactured, and are currently demonstration tested at a semi-commercial level. Those cogeneration systems are all of the outdoor installation type and not suitable in use for the cold region.

Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. is located in Hokkaido where is in the northernmost area in Japan, and Hokkaido's weather is harsh in winter with lots of snowfall and below zero temperatures.
The cogeneration system thus far developed, when installed outside a room, has the problem of freezing in winter. This weather circumstance led to the first development of the cold-region use FC cogeneration system in Japan.

* Joint Development with Ebara Corporation/ Ebara Ballard Corporation
A 1kW residential FC cogeneration system of the indoor installation type, manufactured by Ebara Ballard Corporation, will be installed in the site of Hokkaido Gas, and demonstration tested, and participate in the large-scale demonstration test project in this year, which are currently conducted while being led by the government.

* Joint Development with Matsushita Electric Ind. Co., Ltd
Hokkaido Gas will verify the basic performances of a standard residential FC (PEFC) cogeneration system, developed by Matsushita, and will discuss with the company over the development of the cold-region cogeneration system.
Hokkaido Gas has a schedule that increases the number of the cogeneration systems in the large-scale demonstration test project and verify reliability, endurance, economy and energy saving, etc. and enters the fuel cell market in an early stage in 2008.

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New/Details

46-10
Another news on "EDLC Capacitor"
An electric car, driven by the electric double layer capacitor, has been demonstrated at Tokyo. The car runs for 20 minutes on one charge of 1 to 2 minutes. (Chugoku Shimbun)
The car is developed by professor Yoichi Hori in Institute of Industrial Science.
For details, reference is made to "Near Future Car Based on Electric Power and Control Technology (Japanese version) " In this paper, a small electric car C-COMS, driven by the electric double layer capacitor, is discussed in detail.

46-9
Residential FC cogeneration System Designed for Cold Region Use
Nippon Oil Corporation has actually started demonstration test of the residential FC cogeneration system designed for cold region use in Asahikawa city in Hokkaido, northernmost area in Japan.
In design, the lower limit of temperature at which the FC cogeneration system is normally operable is set at -10 degrees Celsius.
It is planned that the cogeneration system is installed inside the house in the cold region. This is based on the assumption that temperature inside the house does not decrease to below -10 degrees Celsius. In the test, problems that will arise when it is installed, such as noise and vibration, will be analytically measured.
(Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun)
Recently, Nippon Oil Corporation started the co-development of the residential FC cogeneration system with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. It seems that this measure taken by the company is a first step to enter the residential FC cogeneration market in Chain, which is emitting a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide, which is the second in the world, next to the US.
The fuel cell system of the kerosene reforming type is lower in cost than that of the LPG or city gas- reforming type.

46-8
New Reforming Technology
- Highly Efficiently Generate Hydrogen from Natural Gas -
This technology was created by a researcher group led by associate professor Hitoshi Takamura in Tohoku University.
The Takamura's reforming technology uses two steps to generate hydrogen from natural gas. In a first step, CH4 gas is partially oxidized by O2 gas to generate H2 gas and CO. In a second step, the resultant CO is reformed by steam (H2O) to generate CO2 and H2 gas.
Oxygen is first extracted from air by using oxygen permeate ceramics (temp. 700 to 1000oC). Then, pure hydrogen is produced in a manner that the generated hydrogen is separated from the mixture gas by use of a "hydrogen pump" utilizing a high temperature proton conductor (temp. 500 to 800oC).
To extract oxygen from air, a micro crystal composite material of Sm-containing CeO2-MnFe2O4 was developed anew for the high efficiency oxygen permeable ceramics, which allows only oxygen gas (O2) to permeate therethrough.
An oxygen gas permeating rate of the micro crystal composite material was measured. The oxygen gas permeating rate as measured was 10 micro-mol/cm2Es, and the figure shows high efficiency.
A thin plate of the Sm-containing CeO2-MnFe2O4 (thickness = 15 micro meters) was formed. The test calculation showed that a lamination of 10 Sm-containing CeO2-MnFe2O4 thin plates, each of 50mm x 50mm, has a capability of producing an amount of oxygen gas, which is required for a reforming reaction of natural gas (town gas), which is necessary for generating hydrogen gas (H2) of 1000cm3/min. for driving a 1kW PEFC.
A technology for separating hydrogen from the mixture gas was developed by assistant professor Hiroshige Matsumoto in Kyushu University.
He discovered the fact that when DC voltage of about 0.3V is applied to SrZrYO composite oxide of the high temperature proton conductor, it efficiently selects, absorbs the hydrogen gas, and condenses and pressurizes it. In this sense, it is called "hydrogen pump".
See also "40-8 Hydrogen generation device of 6cm x 6cm - utilizing an oxygen permeable membrane - " <OldNews 2005>

46-7
Leasing Sales of "RX-8 Hydrogen RE" Starts
Many media in Japan reported that leasing sales of "RX-8 Hydrogen RE", which is operable in dual modes, gasoline mode and hydrogen mode, has started.
Notable features are: 1) The leasing price is 40,000 yen (USD is about 40,000/120)/month, about half of the leasing price of the FC vehicles currently leased in Japan); and 2) The RX-8 Hydrogen RE is less dependent on a hydrogen infrastructure. The rotary car runs by using gasoline when hydrogen is used up.
See1) Mazda Starts Leasing Rotary Hydrogen Vehicles
2) MAZDA's RX-8 Hydrogen rotary Engine Car Test Runs on Public Roads (OldNews 2004 in Archives)
3) MAZDA builds a Hydrogen Gas Station (OldNews 2005 in Archives)

46-6
New Electric Double Layer Capacitor
Nisshin Electric corporation has developed anew a high performacne electric double layer capacitor to be used for a power source for a device for instantaneously compensating for voltage drop, caused by lighting, which will adversely affect semiconductor production lines, for example.
The company has a plan to start mass production of the electric double layer capacitors developed this time in October in this year, and to produce 20,000 capacitors in the first year.
The company will further develop the electric double layer capacitor, while aiming at application of the capacitor to vehicles and wind power generators.
The electric double layer capacitor has the following advantages:
1) Energy density of the electric double layer capacitor is about 100 times of the electrolytic capacitor.
2) Long lifetime, about 15 years.
3) Free from lead.
When the electric double layer is used for the instantaneous voltage-drop compensation device, the compensating time is 1 to 10 seconds, while it is 0.35 second when the electrolytic capacitor is used.

46-5
First Demonstration Test of Kerosene Fueled FC Cogeneration System Designed for Cold Region Starts
Nippon Oil Corporation and Hokkaido Northern Regional Building Research Institute have started co-research on application of the residential kerosene fueled FC cogeneration system in a cold region in Japan.
To this end, a kerosene fueled fuel cell system of 1kW was installed at a residence for experiment. The cogeneration system, which was developed in cooperation with Ebara Corporation and EBARA BALLARD Corporation, is designed to be operable at -10 degrees Celsius or lower.
In a region where outside temperature decreases to below -10 degrees Celsius, this type of the fuel cell system will be first operated in Japan.
The main purposes of the co-research are: 1) to conduct a demonstration test of the cogeneration system in the experiment residence in a region of Japan where outside temperature becomes the lowest in the winter season, and 2) to verify the applicability of the cogeneration system to the "cold region specification residence", and 3) to clarify the housing performances to maximize the energy saving effect of the cogeneration system.
See also 45-1.

46-4
Patent of Blue-Ray LED Will Become a 5th Wheel for Nichia
Japanese major media reported that Nichia Corporation has decided to abandon the patent right (404 patent) of the blue ray LED, and the company said that it no longer uses the patent, and could not find any merits in keeping the patent right.
This patent is known as the basic patent of the blue-ray LED, invented by Shuji Nakamura. The patent was disputed on its employee invention between Nakamura and Nichia as his former employee in the Tokyo High Court, and this case ended in the form of the mediated settlement, while leaving some problems unsolved. For this case, read Archived Selected Headlines of Solid-State Lighting Headlines News.

46-3
New Key Component for Reformer of Hydrogen Producer
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. , have cooperatively developed a new key component for the reformer of the hydrogen producer.
Use of the new component will ensure remarkable size-reduction of the hydrogen producer, and will enhance freedom of installation of the hydrogen producers at the already existing gas stations.
It is estimated that the reformer installation area is reduced to 1/4, and the reformer volume is reduced to 1/6 (maximum).
The component is a hydrogen separation film module with a reforming catalyst additionally applied. The module is shaped like a test tube of 100mm in length and 9mm in diameter. The tube is made of ceramics. The catalytic function is given to the inner side of the tube, and a separation film having a filtering function is formed on the outer side of the tube.
Because of no need of particulate catalyst, the necessity of the catalyst filling space is eliminated, leading to size reduction of the reformer.
(Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd.)
For photographs, specifications, concept diagrams and principles of the hydrogen separation film module, click here.

46-2
New Electrolyte Membrane Using Polycyclic Aromatic Sulfonic Acid Based Solid Acid
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Institute of Technology have cooperatively developed a new electrolyte membrane for the solid high molecular fuel cell.
It is noted that a polycyclic aromatic sulfonic acid based solid acid could successfully be used for forming the electrolyte membrane. The solid acid was developed associate professor Hara Chemical Resources, Laboratory in Tokyo Institute of Technology.
http://www.titech.ac.jp/home.html
The solid acid has advantageous features that it is not dissolved into water and is high in acid strength and proton conductivity. and it is produced at low cost.
Disadvantageous features of the solid acid are that it is easy to cohere, and it is difficult to make it uniformly disperse into the solid acid into resin.
A creative nano-dispersion technology that Toppan developed through this cooperative research overcome those disadvantages of the solid acid.
A solid acid electrolyte membrane was trially formed by using the nano-dispersion technology. To form, the solid acid is mixed with resin having no proton conductivity, while being free from coherence, and uniformly dispersed into the resin.
The resultant membrane has a proton conductivity that is comparable with that of the fluorine resin electrolyte membrane.
Further developing effort to improve the resin for its optimization will be continued.
(Some modification of this news item may occur. To learn more and exactly, email to: kouhou@toppan.co.jp.)

46-1
Clearly Shows Remarkable Increase of Industry's Interest in FCs - FC EXPO 2006 -
FC EXPO 2006 was held at Tokyo big site from January 25 to 27.
The number of the companies participated in the expo remarkably increased from 237 (2005) to 404, and 80 companies failed to participate in the expo because of the limited exhibition space.
In the next expo to be held at the same place on February 7 to 9, 2007, it is expected that the number of the participant companies will exceed 500.
Of the 404 participant companies, 47 companies are foreign companies in North America, Europe and Asia.
Those figures show that the industry's interest in the fuel cell and hydrogen fields has remarkably grown and extremely strong.
Further, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was included in the organizer of the expo, and the medium & small venture company pavilion was arranged.
Those facts show the serious attitude of the government toward the commercialization of the fuel cell.
Many researchers presented new technologies in Academic Forum ... More

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News/Details

47-12
2005 FC Market Research (Vol. 2) in Japan
Fuji-keizai Co., Ltd has published an FC market research report entitled, "Future Market Outlook for Technologies Related to Fuel Cell Vol. 2, 2005". This reports the results of researching FC related devices market, and a fuel (hydrogen) related market over a period from November 2005 to February 2006.

Outline of Research
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) started large-scale demonstration tests of stationary fuel cell (FC) systems (of several hundreds) from 2005 in order to encourage the commercialization of the stationary FC systems.
Small FC systems such as PEFC and SOFC systems, which are applied to homes and business facilities, are expected to be really commercialized within several years.
The fuel cell market is forecast to grow as below.

	2005	2010	2020
	90 oku-yen	1,300 (oku-yen)	1 (cho-yen) + 3,000 (oku-yen)

1 oku-yen = 100 million yen, 1cho-yen = 1 trillion yen: 1 usd = 120 yen ??

Research was made on the following two categories:
1) FC related device market
2) Hydrogen (fuel) market.
Those markets are forecast as follows:

	2005 (oku-yen)	2020 (oku-yen)
FC related device market	33	2,040
Hydrogen (fuel) market	16	940

FC Related Device Market
The FC related devices include stack components, a power supply unit, and a driving system unit.
In the FC related device market in 2005, the stack component market is extremely high, 32 oku-yen. The power supply unit and the driving system unit are little marketed.
The market of the basic fuel cell will gradually increase from around 2010.
The full-scale spread of the residential FC cogeneration systems and the fuel cell vehicles will start after 2015.
The fuel cell market is forecast to exceed 1 trillion yen in 2020.
The FC related device market will increase with increase of the fuel cell market, and the market scale of them is forecast to reach 2,000 oku-yen or over in 2020.
The market of the motors for FCVs (driving system unit) is forecast to grow to 340 oku-yen or over. Two to four motors will be used for each vehicle. The market of the motors will expand with the spread of the FCVs after 2015, and one million motors or over will be marketed, and the sales amount of the motors is expected to be 340 oku-yen or over.

Hydrogen (Fuel) Related Market
The hydrogen (fuel) related market includes hydrogen storage, hydrogen supply-related supplies, hydrogen stations, and hydrogen station-related supplies.
Before the full-scale spread of the fuel cells, the hydrogen (fuel) related market will be supported by the JHFC (Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell) demonstration project, promoted by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and a new project succeeding to the JHFC demonstration project.
http://www.jhfc.jp/e/
A real market in this field will be formed after 2010, and is expected to exceed 900 oku-yen in 2010.
The market of the on-vehicle pressure regulators for ensuring safe use of high pressure hydrogen is expected to reach 600 oku-yen in 2020.

Stack Component Market
The stack component market is forecast to grow as follows.

	2005 (oku-yen)	2020 (oku-yen)
	32	1,640

a) Stack Configuration

Stacks	Cell Area (cm square)	No. of Cells
Residential FC (1kW)	200	60 to 90
FCV (80 to 100kW)	500 to 1,500	250 to 400

b) Electrode Material

		PEFC	SOFC
	Electrode materials	Platinum, luthenium for catalyst	Ni/YSZ cermet for fuel electrode

c) Electrolyte

		PEFC	SOFC
	Electrolyte	Ion exchange resin(Ion exchange resin, hydrocarbon resin, etc.)	YSZ

d) Separator

		PEFC	SOFC (planar type)
	Separator	carbonaceous substances, high corrosion resistance metal	Ferrite stainless steel

For more details, ask Fuji-keizai Co., Ltd.
Also see: 42-1 2005 FC Market Research in Japan

47-11
New Type Large-Capacity Nickel Hydrogen Battery Enters Demonstration Test Stage
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. will start demonstration tests of large-capacity nickel hydrogen batteries in combination with large- and medium-class wind power generation sites, and in a state that those are incorporated into the urban micro-grid (distributed energy network), within this year (2006). The batteries, which are combined with the window power generators, are used for smoothing the output power of the wind power generators, as a matter of course.The company has developed a new type large-capacity nickel hydrogen battery under grants from NEDO with the attempt of spreading the distributed power generation using such natural energy as wind power, and such new energy as natural gas.
[Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun]

47-10
New Fuel Cell System for Powering Next Generation Ocean Explorer
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is plan to build a next generation fuel-cell powered, unmanned ocean explorer for deep sea research.
The new ocean explorer, when completed, is capable of leaving and coming back to a port and navigating a long range of 3, 000km over, with no aid of a mother ship.
A new type fuel cell system, which powers the explorer, is scheduled to be developed.
The study of materials used for the power source has started.
Tensile strength tests on new titanium and magnesium alloys have been conducted.
A target value of the energy efficiency of the new fuel cell system is 60% and higher. This figure is much higher than 30 to 40% of the vehicle.
The new fuel cell system, like the current fuel cell system, is of the closed type in which the generator part is contained in a pressure-resistant tank, hydrogen as fuel is stored in a hydrogen absorbing alloy, oxygen is stored in a high pressure tank, and water generated is stored in a pressure-resistant tank.
Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
See also 27-5 318 Km: World Record of Autonomous Unmanned Deep-sea Navigation in Oldnews 2005.

47-9
New hydrogen generation photocatalyst - responds to visible light of sunlight -
New photocatalyst = (gallium nitride (GaN) + zinc oxide) + auxiliary catalyst
Water splitting efficiency = about 10 times of the conventional photocatalyst
More improvement of the efficiency would be possible through further study.
Their work was presented in science journal "Nature" issued March 16.
Discovered by: Professor Kazunari Domen et al in Tokyo University: domen@chemsys.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Domen Laboratory:
Source: The Asahi Shimbun

Related news/patent:
1) 40-9 World's first hydrogen generation from water (GaN)
2) Water split into hydrogen and oxygen using visible light
-AIST develops world-first photocatalyst that produces clean energy source from water-
3) Rh AND/OR Ir DOPED SrTiO3 PHOTOCATALYST FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN FROM WATER UNDER VISIBLE LIGHT IRRADIATION
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new visible light active catalyst, particularly a visible light active catalyst useful as a water decomposition catalyst.
SOLUTION: The visible light active catalyst is obtained, which comprises Rh and/or Ir doped SrTiO3, in particular is carried with a platinum catalyst. In particular, the visible light active light water decomposition catalyst is obtained, which comprises the respective catalysts for generating hydrogen from an aqueous methanol solution under visible light.
Inventor: KUDO AKIHIKO
Japanese Application number: 2002-167300
Applicant : JAPAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORP
Licensable: Ask J-STORE
4) Photocatalyst to Generate Hydrogen from Water - with irradiation of visible light - (Japanese Version)
By Professor Akihiko Kudo in Tokyo University of Science
5) Design/Development of High Efficient, Visible Light Responsive Nanostructured Photocatalyst Based on Band Control (Japanese Version)

Japanese-to/from-English Translation Service

47-8
Home-Use Energy War is Hot
As known, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. started the sales of LIFEL (home-use or residential FC cogeneration system) last year.
In addition to this, the company launched ECOWILL (home-use gas cogeneration system) January this year. Contention between the gas companies and the electric power companies is hot for home-use energy market. The electric power companies are aggressively making campaign so a to completely replace the home-use energy with the electric power.
To compete with this, the gas companies have developed residential gas-fueled FC cogeneration systems and used them in the semi-commercial base from last year. However, it takes a while for the FC cogeneration system to enter real commercial stage. ECOWILL will be transiently used until then, or before LIFEL will enter real commercial stage (around 2010). The company has a plan to increase the number of those cogeneration systems from 200 (2005) to 45,000 (2010). (Source: THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS)

47-7
MAZDA Finds Another Application of the Hydrogen-Fueled Rotary Engine Technology
MAZDA is plan to supply the hydrogen-fueled rotary engine, originally developed by MAZDA, to other applications than the vehicle.
MAZDA has received some inquiries on ship generators.
It seems that the company intends to accelerate the construction of hydrogen-supplying infrastructure by spreading the application of the hydrogen-fueled rotary-engines in a wide range of industry fields.
In connection with this, there is a strong pressure of reducing the air pollution originating from sulfur oxide (SOx), which is emitted from the ships anchoring in port while leaving the engines running.
Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport started on February this year a demonstration test to investigate the reduction of air pollution under a condition that when ship anchors in port, the ship anchoring in port stops its engine, while electric power is supplied to the ship from the land in exchange. (Sources: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun and Kyodo News)
Incidentally, the number of hydrogen staions currently serviceable in Japan is about 10 and most of them are located only in the metropolitan area, or Tokyo area.

47-6
Consumer's Interest in Residential FC Cogeneration Systems is Very Strong
Toho Gas Co, Ltd. called for participants in the monitor test on the residential cogeneration systems
for about one month from the end of January. The number of applicants was 560 homes, 11 times of the number of acceptable participants. (Source: The Chunichi Shimbun)

47-5
Innovative CNT FET - Characteristic Stability in Practical Level -
* CNT FET = carbon nanotube field effect transistor
Deveopers:
Professor Kazuhiko Matsumoto of AIST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, and IRI
Features:
1) Current little varies with time
2) No hysteresis characteristic
3) Creative CNT FET fabricating process
Applications:
High sensitive bio-sensing, single bio-molecule sensing, etc.

1) Current little varies with time
See Fig. 3. As seen from the figure, a curve (colored red) representative of current variation is almost flat.
2) No hysteresis characteristic
See Fig. 4. No hysteresis is observed (right graph).
3) New CNT FET fabricating process
It has been thought that oxgen and water attached to the surface of the carbon nanotube cause the characteristic instability of the CNT FET. Professor Matusmoto et al discovered that the photoresist left on the carbon nanotube surface more actively makes the FET characterisic instable than the water and oxgyen. This new fabricating process is based on this discovery. A surface of the carbon nanotube of the transistor is covered with a protecting film (Fig. 2(C)). This ensures a perfect clean surface of the carbon nanotube of the transistor.
[Sources: Nikkei Net, and AIST]

47-4
Small, Compact "In-Wheel Type Integrated Motor Axle Unit Designed for FCVs and EVs
NTN has successfully developed "in-wheel type integrated motor axle unit designed for driving fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles. The motor axle unit is small in size and light in weight. The cycloid differential reducing mechanism having the merit of a high reduction rate is employed leading to weight reduction of the reducer. The optimum design technology is also employed with the intention of reducing the overall size and weight.
NTN is a team partner of "F1 Honda Racing Team".
See Compact, Light-Weight"In-Wheel Motor Type Axel Units.
In connection with this, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation exhibited the in-wheel driven vehicle "Lancer Evolution MIEV" at Tokyo Motor Show 2005. The in-wheel motors used for the MIEV have a unique structure that key brake parts are located within a ring rotor. The in-wheel motor has good potential in the fields of hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.
See Auto Mechanic magazine (Japanese version). Also see "In-wheel motor press release".
[Sources: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Auto Mechanic magazine, Tokyo Motor Show 2005]

To Top

47-3
Hydrogen Society Demonstration Project Extends to Kansai Economic Area
Demonstration Tests of hydrogen/Fuel Cell (FC) devices/systems have been and will be conducted in many places in Japan.
Osaka Prefectural Government starts a hydrogen society demonstration project in Osaka for five years starting from 2006. This project is executed as a part of the national hydrogen society demonstration project, which has been conducted mainly in the metropolitan economic area mainly including metropolitan Tokyo.
Hydrogen stations are plan to be constructed at the parking area of Osaka Prefectural Government and Kansai International Air Port.
Main aims of the demonstration project are to verify mobile and stationary hydrogen supply systems, and to demonstration test the hydrogen fueled devices and systems, and to create new industries and jobs in the economic area.
Toyota will also start the FC hybrid bus service from March 9 in an area near Centrair (Chubu international airport), in cooperation with a bus company. The FC hybrid bus is "FCHV\BUS", which was used at Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan. The bus service will be offered during 3 days, from March 9 to 22. In connection with this, a hydrogen station is scheduled to be constructed at Centrair for future use.
The source said that Japanese government has estimated the environment/energy market at 79 cho-yen, and the fuel cell market at 1 cho-yen in 2010, and 8 cho-yen in 2020, and that those markets will produce 1,910,000 jobs.
(1 cho-yen = 1000,000,000,000 yen = 1000,000,000,000 x about 1/120 usd)
[Sources: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun and Osaka Prefectural Government]

47-2
Residential FC Cogeneration Systems Fed with Byproduct Hydrogen Directly from Near Chemical Plant
Shunan city in Yamaguchi prefecture in southern Japan starts a demonstration test of residential FC cogeneration systems. The test is conducted as one step to realize "hydrogen town utilizing by-product hydrogen produced by the Shunan chemical complex"
The test is different from those thus far conducted in that hydrogen is led from the soda plant to the cogeneration systems through pipe lines of about 400m long. The output power of the cogeneration system used is 1kW.
The residential FC cogeneration systems are installed at ordinary houses. The houses use the cogeneration systems free of charge, but offer the places to install the cogeneration systems free of charge and must write reports describing utility costs, operations, etc., in exchange. The project will last for about 3 years.
(Source: Chugoku Shimbun)

47-1
Bendable Micro-Array Fuel cell
Kanagawa Industrial Technology Research Institute (KITRI) has presented a new creative micro array fuel cell, which is based on the micro array DMFC technology, originally developed by KITRI.
As known, the micro array fuel cell (MAFC) has a structure in which micro fuel cells are placed in an array of perforations formed in a plastic substrate. The MAFC, developed this time, successfully lit a LED coupled thereto in a state that it is bent. An output power of the MAFC, while being bent U, remained unchanged. When it is bent 1000 times, its output power gradually decreased, but its electromotive force was unchanged in magnitude.
It is clear that the MAFC has a variety of applications and provides cost reduction.
[Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun]
Researcher Itoh et al in KITRI trially used a photo-sensitive glass instead of the plastic substrate
[see their paper (Japanese version)]. Itoh et al studied how to construct an MAFC in which 13 unit cells are arrayed in an area of the glass substrate, while being electrically series connected. A graph in Fig. 2 in the paper shows an output characteristic of the fuel cell array where three unit cells each of 50 micrometers in diameter are connected in series. The electric power output was small, but the output voltage of 1V or higher was observed.

News/Details

48-12
40,000 hours and 1.2 million yen (about 10 thousands USD)
Those figures are the durability and the price of a 1kW residential PEFC cogeneration system, and indicate that real commercialization of the residential FC cogeneration system comes into view.
The durability of 40,000 hours corresponds to the durability of 8 to 10 years.
1.2 million yen of the 1kW FC cogeneration system is a purchasable price for general users.
Ebara Ballard Corporation is constructing two types of the next generation residential FC cogeneration systems; one type is the natural gas reforming type, and the other type is the petroleum reforming type. The company will complete them in this summer and will be test operated.
To learn more, please contact us.
Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

48-11
Operation Evaluation Data on Stationary Fuel Cell Cogeneration Systems
- Disclosed by New Energy Foundation -
New Energy Foundation disclosed the operation evaluation data on the stationary fuel cell cogeneration systems, which are currently demonstration tested under the large-scale demonstration project.
A total of stationary FC cogeneration systems installed in 2005 is 480.
Of those FC cogeneration systems, 305 cogeneration systems were installed in the second period of fiscal 2005, and are now operating continuously.
Data was gathered from those 305 sites during the period from March 1 to March 15 in this year (2006).
The gathered data of 3 pages is disclosed. To learn more about this, please contact us.

Japanese-to/from-English Technical Translation Service

48-10
Innovative Mobile FC of 10W Based on New FC Technologies
- New Hydrogen Generation from Water and Aluminum
- New MEA of World's Highest Level Power Output Density

Developed by Hitachi Maxell Ltd.
Hitachi's new fuel cell of about 10W has successfully operated a note PC in a demonstration test.
The fuel cell (PEFC) is based on new technologies; 1) hydrogen generation from water and aluminum, 2) aluminum fine particles developed by Hitachi, and 3) new MEA.
1) Hydrogen of 1.3 liters is generated from aluminum of 1mg. This figure is approximate to the theoretical limit value at room temperature.
2) Aluminum fine particles formed by an aluminum pulverizing process developed anew by Hitachi Maxell are used.
3) The power output level is 280mW/cm2 at room temperature. This figure is about 5 times of that of DMFC. An area of the MEA is 1/5 of that of the same.
The MEA is based on the "dispersion/coating technology" originally developed by Hitachi Maxell.

The new fuel cell has completely overcome the unavoidable disadvantages (cross-over, reforming, complicated structure, etc.) of the conventional DMFC and the PEFC (using the high-pressure hydrogen tank).

Main Specifications:
Type of FC: PEFC
Output: 10W in average, Max. 20W
Voltage: 7.4V
Dimensions: 160 x 100 x 60mm (960cc)
Weight: 920g
Photograph: http://www.maxell.co.jp/jpn/news/2006/news060424.html

The new FC is based on the technologies by Professor Watanabe et al in Muroran Institute Technology. Two Japanese patent applications related to those technologies were found in the JPO database.
The titles of them are:
1) Method of Drying and Storing Activated Aluminum Fine Particles and 2) Hydrogen Gas Generation Using Activated Aluminum Fine Particles.
For details, please contact us.

48-9
Another Big Company will Launch into Residential FC Cogeneration Market
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. will enter the residential fuel cell cogeneration market.
It will take an equity stake in FC ventures in Canada, and is plan to develop size-reduced fuel cells for the Japanese market within the year, and to offer the products.
In Japan, many Japanese companies have already commercialize residential FC cogeneration systems of the reformer type using city gas, LPG and petroleum, and those cogeneration systems are now under large-scale demonstration tests.
NIPPON OIL CORPORATION and COSMO OIL Co., Ltd. recently announced that those companies are plan to produce residential FC cogeneration systems of petroleum reforming type and to enter the market.
The residential FC cogeneration market is expected to expand in Japan.
The company also is plan to strengthen the business of the capacitor, which is essentially used for starting the fuel cell) with the aid of Power System.
The capacitor business is promising. TOSHIBA and and Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation have offered the capacitors for trains. As already reported, East Japan Railway Company announced that it has a pan to construct FC-driven trains (see 48-2).
[Source: Fuji Sankei Business i]

48-8
SHARP Takes a Large Step Toward New Natural Energy Generation Business
SHARP Corporation is planning to start the selling of solar generation systems to power providers.
The company has already developed a new solar cell using a gallium based compound.
A photoelectric conversion efficiency of this solar cell is high, about 40%. The figure is comparable with that of the thermal power plant.
The solar generation system is a combination of the solar cells and a solar light condenser.
The company is conducting demonstration tests of the solar generation systems in cooperation with foreign power providers.
The company handles the system installation and maintenance.
As already reported, the company has installed the large solar-cell generation system of 5,100kW to the large LCD production factory.
Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

48-7
Another New Type of Engine - Based on Hydration Reaction of Magnesium
Developed by Professor Yabe et al in Tokyo Institute of Technology, Mitsubishi Corporation and Ono Electric Manufacturing Corporation (precision machining manufacturer, For details, contact us).

Name: MAGIC(magnesium injection cycle) engine (still in experimental stage; scientific verification of the basic technology of the engine has almost been completed.)
Principle: Magnesium is reacted with water to generate hydrogen gas and magnesium oxide. The new engine utilizes the hydrogen gas. The magnesium oxide as a by-product of the hydration reaction is resolved into magnesium by using solar light pumped laser*. The resultant magnesium is used again or cyclically.
The hydrogen gas may also be used for fuel cells.
Size: About 5cm (diameter) x 13.5cm (height)
Thermal output: Several tens kilo watt
Photograph: Refer to here.
Application: Cogeneration, vehicles, ships, etc.
For more details, read here.

* Solar light pumped laser: Already developed by Professor Yabe. Patend pending. For details, see news (Japanese version).

Japanese-to/from-English Technical Translation Service

48-6
Real Commercialization of Micro FCs in Mobile Terminals is Difficult in Immediate Future
A short report that caught my eyes describes "It is very difficult that micro fuel cells are actually incorporated into mobile terminals in near term in Japan, but current markets of mobile terminals strongly call for powerful batteries".
The report describes the major reasons for this.
1) The initial and the manufacturing costs stand in the way of real commercialization of the micro fuel cells.
2) ICAO regulation problem on use of DMFCs in the airplane. The regulation is scheduled to be lessened, but it is uncertain.
3) Others.
With regard to 1):
The "number portability" system is scheduled to start on November this year.
This system will inevitably add fuel to the competitions among the mobile terminal manufacturers.
Under stiff competition, it is difficult to raise the mobile terminal price.
If the terminal price is raised, the manufacturer must clarify the advantage of the terminal driven by the micro fuel cell over the one driven by the conventional battery. However, the performance of the current micro fuel cell is insufficient to clarify the advantage.
The mobile terminal manufacturers in Japan now suffer from excessive competition.
More adversely, the cost of developing the software for the 3G (next generation mobile terminal) is tremendously high, 100 oku en (1 oku yen = about 1,000, 000 USD). A general view of the manufacturers on the micro fuel cell technology is that it is still unmatured.
The report also analyzed current mobile terminal circumstances in Japan.
1) ISDB-T (integrated service digital broadcasting-terrestrial) broadcast to mobile terminals has started on April this year. (In response to this, NEC, Matsushita Electric and Texas Instruments will form a consortium for developing major components of the mobile terminals, and set up a joint venture on August this year (The Sankei Shimbun, one of major media in Japan ) .
2) The mobile terminals are being rapidly sophisticated
3) The utilizing duration of the mobile terminal has increased since the fixed charge system became effective.
4) Shift of the present mobile terminal to the third generation mobile terminal (3G mobilephone) progresses.
(It is expected that about 70% of all the subscribers will shift to the next generation mobile terminal at the end of this year, and about 87% of them, to the one at the end of 2007.)
Those circumstances inevitably lead to the necessity of large capacity batteries. The batteries currently used can not provide an unsatisfactory use of the mobile terminals. However, the micro fuel cells are still a long way from being practically used. Some manufacturers started to develop a combination of the lithium ion battery and the micro fuel cell for the mobile-terminal power source.
Source: The Asahi Shimbun and The Sankei Shimbun (see Useful Link)

48-5
New Large LCD Television Production Factory Installed with Sophisticated Distributed Energy -Supplying System
- Using FuelCell Energy's MCFCs -
SHARP Corporation is building a large factory for producing large LCD televisions in Kameyama in Mie Prefecture.
The factory employs a distributed energy-supplying system, which is constructed by combining four MCFCs as a center role, a solar-cell generation system (5,100kW) , and gas engines (14,000kW), and supplies electricity and steam (350 degrees Celsius).
The MCFCs are manufactured by FuelCell energy (U.S.A.) and MTU (German), and Ishikawajima-Shibaura Machinery Co.,Ltd. (Japan, handles its development). Each MCFC has 250kW output power. A total of 1,000kW is produced.
Natural gas is reformed into hydrogen fuel. Its generation efficiency is extremely high, 47%. This will greatly contribute to CO2 reduction in manufacturing processes.
The system is owned by Cenergy, one of a company group of Chubu Electric Power Co., Ltd.
The system maintenance will be carried out by Fuel Cell Japan, an affiliate company of MARUBENI Corporation.
A total of 8 MCFCs are now running in Japan, and are all manufactured by FuelCell energy.
Source: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

48-4
Sharp Rise of Casio's Stock Price<