FuelCellsWorks

Tokyo—TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) and AISIN SEIKI CO., LTD. (Aisin) announce they will provide a total of 30 residential, solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC1) cogeneration systems developed jointly by Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas), Kyocera Corporation (Kyocera), TMC and Aisin to five Japanese gas companies, as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO’s) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Verification Project2 for 2009.

Specifically, TMC and Aisin will provide four SOFC cogeneration systems to Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., one to Toho Gas Co., Ltd., 23 to Osaka Gas and one to Saibu Gas Co.,Ltd. TMC and Aisin have already supplied one to Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. Once installation is complete in regular households, the five gas companies will gather data necessary for commercialization.

TMC and Aisin have worked together with Osaka Gas and Kyocera since March 2009 on the development of residential SOFC cogeneration systems. By joining in this verification project to gather data for the research and development of commercially viable systems, they hope to accelerate progress, culminating in the commercialization of residential SOFC cogeneration systems by the first half of the 2010s.

1-Fuel cells using ceramic electrolytes. Oxygen is ionized and, by passing through an electrolyte, chemically reacts with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, generating electricity. One of the notable characteristics of this system is that it uses carbon monoxide.

2-Begun in 2007; the project’s aim is to install residential SOFC cogeneration systems in regular households to identify future technological development issues based on the data acquired. Unless otherwise noted, years mentioned are from April 1 to March 31.

Outline of SOFC cogeneration systems provided to NEDO project for 2009

Features

1. System is one third lighter and smaller than TMC and Aisin’s 2008 system1,

facilitating easier installation in multi-unit housing complexes and detached houses.

2. Modifications to cell2 electrodes have improved durability.

1-Residential polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration system provided to NEDO’s 2008 Large-Scale Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration Project.

2-Fuel cells (electric power generator) composed of a cathode, electrolyte and an anode. A single cell has an electromotive force of less than one volt and an output of only a few watts, so cells are connected sequentially in a stack to increase voltage and power output.

Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corporation today announced it has developed a direct methanol fuel cell system^[1] which can produce an average power output of 20 W by increasing the output per cubic centimeter twice that of its previous prototype^[2]. Using this technology, Panasonic aims to develop a 100 W-class portable generator and start field testing in fiscal 2012 ending in March 2012.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System 20W

Heightening environmental concerns and depletion of fossil fuels urge the development of alternative, clean energy with little greenhouse gas emissions. Great hopes are placed on the practical application of direct methanol fuel cells as an alternative, because they produce no air pollutants and significantly lower amount of CO2 than internal combustion engine generators.

In 2008 Panasonic developed compact fuel cell stacks^[3] by reviewing the structure of its connecting parts. It also developed compact and energy-efficient balance of plant (BOP) systems ^[4] including a fuel supply pump that can directly mix and adjust the concentration of methanol internally. By improving the stack technology, Panasonic has successfully doubled the average power output to 20 W while retaining the same volume with the preceding prototype. The high output methanol fuel cell allows for powering feature-laden laptop computers, which have relatively high power consumption.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System 100W

The new fuel cell system also boasts 5,000 hours of durability (based on eight-hour intermittent use per day). Durability was a major challenge for commercialization of fuel cells because power output drops as the electrodes deteriorate. Panasonic solved the problem by developing a technology that enables supplying high concentration fuel to the electrode^[5].

Panasonic continues to work to increase output of direct methanol fuel cells, capitalizing on the above technologies that have achieved downsizing and high durability. As a next step, it plans to develop a portable generator with an average output of 100 W that will be much more compact than engine-generators. Combining the fuel cell generator with its high-capacity lithium-ion battery module, Panasonic aims to bring to market an outdoor power source that integrates energy-creation and energy-storage functions.

On the prototype fuel cell system, Panasonic holds 139 patents in Japan and 69 in other countries including pending applications.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Systems

Explanation of Terminology

[1]Direct methanol fuel cell: A fuel cell using a methanol aqueous solution as fuel which is directly fed into the generating part. The methanol (CH3OH) and water generate hydrogen ion and CO2 at the fuel electrode as shown below. At the air electrode, the hydrogen ion which has moved from the fuel electrode reacts with oxygen to generate electrical energy and water.

[2]Previous Panasonic prototypes: Displayed at the Hydrogen Energy Advanced Technology Exhibition 2008 held in Japan.

[3]Stack: The generating part of the fuel cell. A plurality of MEA (membrane electrode assembly consisting of fuel electrode, electrolyte membrane, and air electrode) are connected in series to form a fuel cell stack.

[4]BOP (Balance of Plant): General name for power generation assisting devices, such as circuits controlling the power generation and pumps supplying air and fuel.

[5]Technology enabling high concentration fuel supply to electrode
Using micro porous layers that control the amount of fuel passing through them, this technology enables supplying highly concentrated fuel to the electrode and suppressing methanol “cross-over” which wastes fuel.

The Seoul city government will start constructing a hydrogen-fired power plant in World Cup Park in Seoul next May.

The 2.4 mega watt facility will generate electricity with hydrogen extracted from oil and gas. Such a method is considered environmentally friendly for emitting no sulfur oxide and other harmful chemicals.

A “Zero-Energy House,” where solar power and other environmentally friendly energies are used, as well as other power generation facilities using solar power and other “green energy” will be set up in the park. The city plans to promote the area as a landmark for next generation renewable energy.

The city plans to replace 10 percent of its energy consumption with renewable energy by 2020, of which 30 percent will be from hydrogen.