Hydrogen Economy

JAPAN

By far the most ambitious to accelerate the development of a full-scale hydrogen economy is Japan. That is because, of all the developed countries, Japan is the one most dependent on foreign oil imports. As the sixth largest oil consuming country in the world with only a small trace of oil within its own boundaries, Japan believes gaining independence from foreign oil as a matter of national priority. In 2002, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) launched a comprehensive program that envisions a full commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen-infrastructure by 2020. To obtain this, the Japanese government has allocated $4 billion with $250 million set aside for research and development in the next five years [1]. Japan’s advantage comes from its highly developed auto industry. In addition to the two government programs involved, METI and NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), Japan’s major automakers such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda are all competing to develop the first commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle.

Honda's FCX Fuel Cell Vehicla

The Road Map

Japan’s road map to a full-fledge hydrogen economy has three phases. The demonstration phase, which has been ongoing since the 1980’s, was to develop the necessary technology, demonstrate fuel cells, and to establish the codes and standards needed for commercialization. The second phase, which the Japanese government projects will last until 2010, is to introduce fuel cells into the energy and transportation sector. By 2010, Japan expects to have 50,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road and 2.1 GW of stationary fuel cells in operation. The final phase of the road map, which is projected for the period between 2010-2020 is to propagate hydrogen technology. By 2020, Japan hopes to have 5,000,000 fuel cell vehicles, 4,000 hydrogen filling stations and 10 GW of stationary fuel cell cogeneration plants.

The Programs

Achieving the goals of the roadmap depends on the success of two programs: The New Hydrogen Project and the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project. The main objective of the New Hydrogen Project is to develop the technologies needed for a hydrogen economy: fuel cells, hydrogen production and storage. The Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project aims to demonstrate ten different hydrogen filling stations that use a variety of energy sources and seven different fuel cell vehicles to determine which technology is most viable commercially.

Sources

1. Morthorst, P. E., Bunger, U., Sorensen, Bent., “Hydrogen in European and global energy systems”, Riso Energy Report. 2004.



Introduction Production Storage & Infrastructure Applications Atmospheric Effects Government Involvement Iceland United States European Union Japan Canada Conclusions	JAPAN By far the most ambitious to accelerate the development of a full-scale hydrogen economy is Japan. That is because, of all the developed countries, Japan is the one most dependent on foreign oil imports. As the sixth largest oil consuming country in the world with only a small trace of oil within its own boundaries, Japan believes gaining independence from foreign oil as a matter of national priority. In 2002, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) launched a comprehensive program that envisions a full commercialization of fuel cells and hydrogen-infrastructure by 2020. To obtain this, the Japanese government has allocated $4 billion with $250 million set aside for research and development in the next five years [1]. Japan’s advantage comes from its highly developed auto industry. In addition to the two government programs involved, METI and NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), Japan’s major automakers such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda are all competing to develop the first commercially viable fuel-cell vehicle. Honda's FCX Fuel Cell Vehicla The Road Map Japan’s road map to a full-fledge hydrogen economy has three phases. The demonstration phase, which has been ongoing since the 1980’s, was to develop the necessary technology, demonstrate fuel cells, and to establish the codes and standards needed for commercialization. The second phase, which the Japanese government projects will last until 2010, is to introduce fuel cells into the energy and transportation sector. By 2010, Japan expects to have 50,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road and 2.1 GW of stationary fuel cells in operation. The final phase of the road map, which is projected for the period between 2010-2020 is to propagate hydrogen technology. By 2020, Japan hopes to have 5,000,000 fuel cell vehicles, 4,000 hydrogen filling stations and 10 GW of stationary fuel cell cogeneration plants. The Programs Achieving the goals of the roadmap depends on the success of two programs: The New Hydrogen Project and the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project. The main objective of the New Hydrogen Project is to develop the technologies needed for a hydrogen economy: fuel cells, hydrogen production and storage. The Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project aims to demonstrate ten different hydrogen filling stations that use a variety of energy sources and seven different fuel cell vehicles to determine which technology is most viable commercially. Sources 1. Morthorst, P. E., Bunger, U., Sorensen, Bent., “Hydrogen in European and global energy systems”, Riso Energy Report. 2004.
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	Japan's Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration Projects

Introduction

Production

Storage & Infrastructure

Atmospheric Effects

Government Involvement

Iceland

Conclusions