Publication date: 27-November-2003 
Source:Asia Pulse Businesswire

Although fuel cell systems for emergency power applications are already available for homes, such systems last for only around 1,500 hours.

With their new long-lasting technologies, Matsushita and Ebara both intend to commercialize residential fuel cell systems that can operate for three years before any parts need replacing.

Fuel cell systems for the home take advantage of the heat created during the generation of electricity to provide hot water for sinks and baths.

Considering the transmission loss that occurs when power is brought to the home over power lines, these fuel cell systems are more energy efficient and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Matsushita and Ebara are both developing fuel cell systems that provide around 1kw of power, which meets the basic power demands of a stand-alone home .

Their fuel cell systems are designed to extract hydrogen from city gas, so not surprisingly both firms plan to market their products via gas companies . Tokyo Gas Co. (TSE:9531) will begin sales in the greater Tokyo area in the first quarter of 2005, and Osaka Gas Co. (TSE:9532) plans to begin sales by March 2006.