Japanese companies form hydrogen council

A number of Japanese energy companies have joined forces in developing a hydrogen supply-chain in the Kobe/Kansai area.

In its statement, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) noted that the companies have, together with other companies, founded the Kobe/Kansai Hydrogen Utilization Council.

The companies currently involved are Electric Power Development, ENEOS Corporation, Iwatani Corporation, The Kansai Electric Power Company, Incorporated, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Kobe Steel, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi Power, Obayashi Corporation, and Shell Japan Limited.

Kansai area is one of the most advanced area in the world where various world’s leading projects concerning hydrogen supply and utilization are currently underway, K Line said in its statement.

The projects include the hydrogen supply chain pilot project with the effective utilization of brown coal in Australia conducted by CO₂-free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association (HySTRA), a demonstration project of the hydrogen cogeneration system (Hydrogen CGS) at Kobe Port Island, and investigation on the possibilities for the introduction of hydrogen-fueled power generation.

The Council members will conduct a feasibility study in pursuit of the large-scale utilization of hydrogen in the 2030’s.

The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and Kobe City which is participating in Hydrogen CGS will support the activity of the Council as observers.

The Council’s activities will include, consideration on business models of hydrogen utilization in Kansai area through a combined study from supply and demand sides to develop large-scale hydrogen supply chain.

It will also include building a road map for the implementation of hydrogen utilization business models in the Kansai area, and a policy proposal to the national and local governments, by identifying issues towards the implementation of a hydrogen society.