Toshiba to Survey on Hydrogen Production Using Unused Geothermal Energy

~Geothermal Survey in Kumamoto with Kansai Electric Power Co.~

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June 30, 2022

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation

KAWASAKI, JAPAN—Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter, “Toshiba ESS”) today announced that it has been notified of the adoption* of the “Development of Technologies for Realizing a Hydrogen Society/Comprehensive investigative research” from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. (head office: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Executive Officer, President: Nozomu Mori; hereinafter, “KEPCO”) will be the representative operator of this project, and Toshiba ESS will participate as a joint operator. Toshiba ESS will conduct a study on hydrogen production using unused geothermal energy in Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture. The project period is from July this year to March 2023.

This project will be carried out by a four-company team including KEPCO and Toshiba ESS. KEPCO will be responsible for the overall management of the project, investigation of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced using unused geothermal energy, and investigation of hydrogen utilization methods. Toshiba ESS will study the equipment layout and design of the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) hydrogen production equipment, as well as the equipment layout and design of the steam turbine and generator that will supply electricity to the hydrogen production equipment.

Currently, a portion of geothermal steam is not fully utilized. Through this project, Toshiba ESS will investigate the effective use of unused steam to produce stable and low-cost green hydrogen to expand geothermal utilization and promote local production for the local consumption of energy. The hydrogen produced is expected to be applied to heat demands for industries in nearby areas.

This study is the first step toward establishing a business model for the effective use of unused geothermal energy in the future, and once the business model is established, Toshiba ESS will promote the utilization of unused geothermal energy from geothermal power plants in Japan and overseas, as well as the expansion of hydrogen production. Toshiba ESS will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by providing infrastructure services that enhance the value of energy systems.

Shigehiro Kawahara, Vice President of the Energy Aggregation Div., said, “I am honored to collaborate with KEPCO for this project. Toshiba ESS has been advancing the development of hydrogen-related technologies, and while striving toward the realization of a hydrogen society, Toshiba ESS aims to provide high value-added hydrogen solutions by integrating related technologies, such as renewable energy-derived hydrogen energy. By expanding our business through this collaboration, Toshiba ESS will help make a carbon-neutral society a reality.”

* Demonstration project name: “Development of Technologies for Realizing a Hydrogen Society/Comprehensive Investigative Research.” A survey on hydrogen production and utilization using unused geothermal energy in Oguni-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture.Write the annotation text in a small font size.

 

Business Concept


Roles of each company participating in the demonstration project


 

Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. Hydrogen production capacity, hydrogen utilization study, and management of business feasibility assessment
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation Equipment layout/design study of hydrogen production equipment, steam turbines, and generators
Kanden Plant Corporation Equipment layout/design study of heat exchangers, heat pumps, and installation of steam/hot water piping, etc.
Iwatani Corporation Study of hydrogen storage/transportation, hydrogen stations, etc.

 

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