News Release

～ 500kW pure hydrogen fuel cell system among Japan’s largest generation capacities ～

Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) has received an order from Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (Tanaka), for a 500 kW H2Rex^™ pure hydrogen fuel cell system. The system, one of the largest pure hydrogen fuel cell systems in Japan^*1, will be installed at Tanaka's Shonan Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. It comprises an array of five 100 kW units (H2Rex^™), and is the first commercial deployment of the system that has undergone technology testing and proving under a Ministry of the Environment project ^*2. Delivery is scheduled for the end of March 2026.

H2Rex^™ is a pure hydrogen fuel cell system. It is fueled by hydrogen and supplies electricity and heat, a clean power generation system that emits no CO₂ or nitrogen oxides^*3, with water as the only by-product. Toshiba is a recognized innovator in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, and has already provided many smaller systems that are used to power office buildings, public facilities and factories. The larger system at the Shonan Plant is expected to cover 25% of the plant's total electricity consumption.

The Tanaka has declared its intention to become carbon neutral and achieve the ambitious target of zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. Toward this, it is deploying equipment ahead of other many other companies, and Toshiba is supporting its progress with hydrogen energy technology and know-how cultivated over many years.

Growing concerns about climate changes is driving interest in hydrogen energy as a clean fuel, and recent years have seen increasing demand for large-scale pure hydrogen fuel cell systems in the several hundred kW to MW range. Toshiba will continue to contribute to increased introduction of hydrogen energy by providing large-scale H2Rex^™ systems in various industry sectors.

1. High efficient and economical

The EMS (Energy Management System) constantly monitors the status of demand and the performance of the individual units to ensure an optimal output in response to demand fluctuations.

• Peak generation efficiency is 54%, which makes it possible to reduce hydrogen consumption. 
• The five units respond immediately to fluctuations in electricity demand, and the response speed is five times faster than when only a single unit is used. The system contributes to lower peak electricity consumption.

2. Compact design

The system is not subject to the equipment separation requirements of the Fire Service Act^*4, and the integration of auxiliary equipment, electricity and water connections reduces the required installation space to approximately 70% of that for five separate units, and simplifies construction work.

3. Unstoppable ingenuity

• The EMS and electrical control panels necessary for integrated control are installed in the system, and no preparation is required on the user side; monitoring and control can be done from a single terminal.
• In the event of a power outage, the overall system can be restarted with the startup power of only one fuel cell. This ensures continuous operation without any need to drain the fuel cells or handle exhaust gas.

• Overall efficiency (power plus heat) 95%; design durability approx. 80,000 hours.
• Heavy salt-resistant specifications for installation in salt-affected areas such as harbors (optional).
• An independent operation function sustains operation even in the event of a blackout.

*1: As of March 2024; Toshiba ESS research.

*2: 2020 Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan “Low Carbon Technology Research, Development and Demonstration Program"

*3: Oxides of nitrogen. Nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc., which are generated when nitrogen and oxygen in the air combine when things burn at high temperatures.

*4: Isolation space required by the Fire Prevention Ordinance, as stipulated by the Fire Service Act.

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