Demonstrations of Renewable Energy Hydrogen Fueling Stations

The KOBELCO Group is working to demonstrate the viability of next-generation hydrogen fueling stations for low-carbon hydrogen utilization that produce a portion of their hydrogen from renewable energy.

Construction of hydrogen fueling station networks and use of hydrogen in FCV (fuel cell vehicles) is now underway. As hydrogen fueling stations are still at an early stage, constructing a supply chain from only low-carbon hydrogen sourced from renewable energy presents new challenges in terms of renewable energy supply, water electrolysis, and hydrogen storage and supply technologies, as well as in terms of scope and costs.

To promote low-carbon hydrogen use, the KOBELCO Group has begun efforts to achieve the use of low-carbon hydrogen by installing fossil fuel-sourced hydrogen fueling stations with mid-scale water electrolysis equipment and blending water electrolysis hydrogen derived from renewable energy. By formulating basic designs and operating plans for water electrolysis hydrogen systems, and designing and manufacturing compression, storage and control systems that predict fluctuations over time for renewable energy sourced water electrolysis hydrogen, we aim to confirm the validity of such stations and increase receptivity among society for their use.

These demonstration tests were selected by the Ministry of the Environment's Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program, under the title "Hydrogen filling station using medium-scale (1.5 kg/h) water electrolyzer powered by renewable energy." The tests are being implemented jointly by Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd., which engages in hydrogen fueling station engineering and construction, and Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd., which produces and sells electrolytic hydrogen production equipment, in fiscal 2016-2017.