Arab News Japan

An online forum was held on Feb. 3, and Director General of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)’s Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Group, OHIRA Eiji, spoke about the research and development of hydrogen production.

Ohira began the forum by introducing himself and sharing a presentation regarding hydrogen and fuel cells perspective in Japan.

‘The hydrogen-based society will not be realized immediately” and will take time, he said.

Ohira outlined NEDO’s efforts, and their step-by-step approach to secure the eventual wide use of hydrogen, which began by introducing the fuel cell into the market, followed by introducing fuel cell vehicles.

Ohira also touched on the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), which is approximately 250km from Tokyo and consists of five major project members including Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.

The facility has various components including the 20MW PV power generation facilities, a water electrolysis system to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, hydrogen storage and supply facilities, among others.

The facility, which opened in March 2020, can produce as much as 1,200 Nm3 of hydrogen per hour using renewable energy. Hydrogen produced at FH2R is mainly transported to be supplied for use in Fukushima Prefecture.

Ohira stressed that hydrogen is key technology for carbon neutrality and is key for sustainable development.

Ohira also outlined the benefits of how hydrogen can be produced from various resources, no greenhouse gas emissions are used, and it can be stored, transported, and exported. Hydrogen is also used in various sectors and Japan is strongly promoting hydrogen as a result.

This strong promoting aligns with Japan’s greater goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission to net zero by 2050.

Ohira exemplified how there is progress in the usage of hydrogen, as Japan has recorded 410,000 residential fuel cell units, 6,500 passenger vehicles, and 160 hydrogen refuelling stations as of Sept. 2021.

This was also demonstrated by the launch of the Hydrogen Council—a global CEO-led initiative—that began with 17 companies in 2017 which grew to include 134, highlighting development according to Ohira.