Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell

The Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC), summarized in Fig. 4-13, is a program set up by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in March 2003. In this program, hydrogen refueling facilities with different types of fuel and production methods will be tested. Vehicles from five automakers are taking part in this project, including Toyota s FCHV and fuel cell bus. 

FIGURE 4-13. The Japan hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration project. 

Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, www.jhfc.jp (2004). 

Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, http //www.jari.or.jp/jhfc/e/index.html (last accessed 9 February 2011). 

Japan has been an early leader in hydrogen and fuel cell technology development. Since the early 1980s, Japan has invested in research and development into various fuel cell technologies, beginning with PAFCs and MCFCs. Research and development of PEFCs was launched in 1992, and is the focus of Japan s fuel cell research program. The investment to date has amounted to some 97 billion. 

METI Much of Japan s hydrogen and fuel cell program is guided and funded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). 

Several common projects of automotive manufacturers, oil companies, public authorities and hydrogen production companies aim at optimization of hydrogen infrastructure and creating public awareness for hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles. Major projects in this regard are, for example, the California Fuel-Cell Partnership (USA) [12], Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) (D) [13] and The Japan Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration Project [14],... 

Moreover, this is a global market need and as such it should be addressed globally. The IPHE was formed in 2003 to address the aforementioned opportunities. The IPHE Partners members include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Commission, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and the United States. By creating the IPHE, the Partners have committed to accelerate the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies... 

Koguchi, H. (2010) Research and development of hydrogen and fuel cells in Japan. Presented at the FCH JU Stakeholders General Assembly, http //www.fch-Ju.eu/sites/default/files/documents/ga2010/ haruhisa koguchi.pdf (last accessed 30 August 2011). 

Hydrogen-storage alloys (18,19) are commercially available from several companies in the United States, Japan, and Europe. A commercial use has been developed in rechargeable nickel—metal hydride batteries which are superior to nickel—cadmium batteries by virtue of improved capacity and elimination of the toxic metal cadmium (see BATTERIES, SECONDARYCELLS-ALKALINe). Other uses are expected to develop in nonpolluting internal combustion engines and fuel cells (qv), heat pumps and refrigerators, and electric utility peak-load shaving. 

Compressed gas is being used in most current demonstration vehicles. But, the path to commercialization of any major new technology is a long one. In 2003 Toyota recalled some of its hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles when a leak was found in the fuel tank of one of the cars leased to Japan s Ministry of the Environment. The leak was found when a driver at the ministry heard a strange noise in the car when he was filling up the hydrogen tank. The problem was quickly identified and fixed a few weeks later. 

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