Highlight of
FY2014 Activities 1
Contributing to solving energy problems by using
hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources
Toshiba Group’s problem-solving approach
Working towards a safe, secure and comfortable society with hydrogen
derived from renewable energy sources
While oil, natural gas, hydraulic and solar power are ‘primary’
energy sources, which are directly harvested from the natural
world, hydrogen is a ‘secondary’ energy source, which is generated
from primary energy. Toshiba aims to bring about the realization of
a next-generation hydrogen economy, that uses energy efficiently
by converting renewable energy—which is difficult to store or
transport—into hydrogen, which has the advantage of being able
to be generated, stored and transported, before being put to use.
Most of the energy we consume comes from exhaustible resources such as fossil fuels.
The reserve of oil in particular is estimated to only last for another 53 years*1. At the same
time, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has calculated that global energy demand will
increase 1.4 times between 2012 and 2040*2.
In light of these circumstances, the shift to renewable energy is an urgent task, not only
for tackling climate change, but also to prevent the exhaustion of resources. To this end,
there is need to develop a stable renewable energy supply system that is not dependent
on weather conditions. Among the possible solutions, hydrogen power—a clean and
sustainable next-generation energy source—is receiving increased attention as an
effective secondary energy source for advancing the use of renewable energy.
yen by 2050. Accordingly, the price of hydrogen—a key factor in
the future of hydrogen power—is rapidly falling.
At Toshiba, we are developing a business for comprehensive
energy solutions that combines photovoltaic and wind power
generation systems, SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell; a water
electrolysis system, which is a key component in hydrogen
production) and hydrogen energy storage systems. We are
working towards a sustainable, safe, secure and comfortable
society with CO2-free hydrogen derived from renewable energy.
The world’s hydrogen-related market, which consists mainly of
fuel-cell cars, hydrogen power generation, and stationary fuel cells,
is expected to expand to 40 trillion yen by 2030, and 160 trillion
Toshiba Group’s business areas in the hydrogen value chain
H2
*1: Estimation by BP (2013)
*2: IEA(International Energy Agency), World Energy Outlook 2014
Store
Produce
Environmentally friendly
hydrogen producing systems
Water electrolysis
Renewable energy
(photovoltaic generation,
wind power generation)
Toshiba's technical area
Use
Hydrogen power
storage
Hydrogen community
Hydrogen storage
Hydrogen storage facilities
Hydrogen stations
Hydrogen power generation
Power generation responding
to peak loads (energy storage)
Dispersed power source
(congeneration)
Mobility
Hydrogen produced
as a byproduct
Petrochemical industry
and steel industry
Global social issues and their solutions
Issue
Use a renewable source of energy and
produce zero carbon emissions
Solution
Dependence on exhaustible resources
A secondary energy source that can be manufactured
and supplied in a reliable manner
Extreme weather caused by global warming
Use of renewable energy
Disruption in energy supply caused by accidents,
natural disasters and climate change
Autonomous, distributed generation in times of disaster
Perspective of world energy demand
Non-OECD Countries
Confirmed amount of energy resources (Ratio of reserves to production*3)
93 years
OECD Countries
(Thousand ton)
20,000
53 years
56 years
1,668.9
187
5,000
0
trillion m
million tons
Oil
Natural gas
Uranium 5
(At the end of 2012)*4 (At the end of 2012)*4
2012
2020
2030
2040
5.33
billion barrels
3
(January 2011)*
Source: IEA, World Energy Outlook 2014
Toshiba’s performance indicators to realize a hydrogen economy
The hydrogen production efficiency
of the SOEC system (kWh/Nm3)
Target for 2020
860.9
billion tons
Approx.
The charge-discharge efficiency of
electricity storage systems
At 2014
By 2020
30% Up
Approx.
Compared to traditional methods
40%
80%
Coal
(At the end of 2012)*4
*3 Ratio of reserves to production is calculated by dividing the confirmed
amount of energy resource already discovered by the amount of production.
Confirmed amount of energy resource of Uranium costs less than US$130/kgU
Source: *4 BP Statistics (2013) *5 OECD/IAEA Uranium 2011
FY
Using the stored hydrogen, and
generating power with fuel cells
during times of high demand
109 years
15,000
10,000
INDEX
Disaster prevention
(emergency power source)
Hydrogen
transportation
Vessels, vehicles
and pipelines
SOEC will aid in lowering the price of hydrogen by improving the
efficiency of conversion.
Hydrogen energy storage systems are expected to play a key role
in promoting the implementation of renewable energy.
Toshiba Group CSR Report 2015
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Highlight of
FY2014 Activities 1
Contributing to solving energy problems by using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources
Activity
Medium- to Long-Term Vision
World’s first* autonomous energy supply system using hydrogen
Establishment of a global supply chain of hydrogen
Use in disaster-stricken areas and in areas yet to be
supplied with electricity
Joint testing with Kawasaki City
In April 2015, we started testing H2OneTM, an autonomous energy
supply system that uses renewable energy and hydrogen. The test
site is at Kawasaki, where Toshiba’s headquarters is based, in
Kawasaki Marien, a designated temporary refuge area for those
unable to get home in times of disaster. The H2OneTM is a system
that combines photovoltaic power generation, storage cells, a
water electrolysis system that produces hydrogen, and fuel cells.
One aspect of H2OneTM is that the equipment itself can be
transported in a container, so it can be transported to
disaster-stricken areas in times of large-scale natural disasters to
support those in need. We are currently developing a downsized
version of the system, cutting it down from the current 20 ft to 12 ft.
We are also working on models for isolated islands and areas in
developing nations which do not yet have electric power. By
providing cheap, stable electricity and hot water that do not
depend on fossil fuels, we aim to contribute to solving the world’s
energy challenges in various ways.
Renewable energy has the disadvantage that its energy output is
affected by factors such as weather. However, by converting
renewable energy into hydrogen, which can be stored for long
periods, it is possible to secure a stable supply of energy.
Towards sustainable and price-competitive
hydrogen power generation
Hydrogen society drawn by Toshiba
Toshiba aims to build a global supply chain of hydrogen that
derives electricity from renewable energy. This involves producing
hydrogen at large-scale in wind-power generation facilities with
good wind conditions and high power generation efficiency,
storing and transporting the hydrogen in the form of liquid
hydrogen, and generating power using high-efficiency
hydrogen-fueled gas turbines.
In order to realize a sustainable hydrogen economy, it is necessary
to produce and consume huge amounts of carbon-free hydrogen
using renewable energy making hydrogen prices more
competitive.
Currently, the price of hydrogen for fuel-cell automobiles is roughly
100 yen/Nm3 (as of February 2015), but the target is around 30
yen/Nm3. Making hydrogen power generation more practical,
together with fuel-cell cars (which are expected to become more
commonplace in the future), is a necessary step in lowering the
price of hydrogen, and in realizing a hydrogen economy.
We are conducting research and development towards the
realization of this goal. On top of developing a high-efficiency
hydrogen-generating electrolysis system, we are developing mid
to large sized generators that use hydrogen as a fuel. We hope to
have the principal technologies ready by the early 2020s.
*As container packaged system with BCP functionality
H2OneTM produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water with electricity
generated from solar power, and then uses fuel cells to convert the
stored hydrogen to provide electricity and hot water. Since it can
operate on water and solar power alone, it can provide a week’s
worth of electricity and hot water to 300 evacuees, even when
critical infrastructure is non-operational during times of disaster.
Toshiba’s goal: a hydrogen supply chain derived from renewable energy sources
Overseas
Overview of H2OneTM, an autonomous energy supply system
Japan
Wind power generation
Production of hydrogen
Transportation of hydrogen
Power generation by
hydrogen
We operate large-scale
wind power generation
in locations outside
Japan with good wind
conditions
We produce hydrogen
from water through
electrolysis. Since we use
wind-derived electricity,
this is a CO2-free process
We transport the
hydrogen to Japan in the
form of liquid hydrogen
or organic hydrides
We operate highly
efficient, hydrogen-fired
gas turbine power
generators
Use of electricity
Overview of hydrogen system structure
Storage battery system
Power
Power
H2
H2
PV panel
In normal
condition
Water
Water tank
Usage and storage of each of the electricity, hot water, and
hydrogen used in facilities are monitored and optimum
control for operation is carried out in order to reduce the
electricity charges and the amount of CO2 emissions.
VOICE
Hot water
Fuel cells
Hydrogen tank
Electrolyser
Decomposition of water
into hydrogen
and oxygen
H2
Public facilities
Gymnasiums
Water
In an
emergency
Independently supplies electricity and hot water when a
natural disaster strikes.
The system in the world standard size can be transported
anywhere in an emergency.
From our base at Hydrogen Energy Research & Development Center,
we will disseminate the blueprints for the hydrogen economy envisaged by Toshiba.
From April 2014, Toshiba has been advancing the development of a business model that uses
next-generation energy sources as a Group-wide endeavor. With regard to hydrogen in
particular, which is expected to reach general use in the 2020s, we have been developing an
energy solutions business centered around the twin concepts of a “hydrogen supply chain” and
“local production for local consumption.” We are also working on hydrogen energy storage
systems and hydrogen power generation.
The Hydrogen Energy Research & Development Center, which was opened at the Fuchu
Complex in April 2015, will serve as a site for the development and demonstration of solutions
integrating hydrogen-related energy technologies, and also as the base for the dissemination of
hydrogen infrastructure plans. From now on, the center will aim to create machines and services
that use hydrogen in safe ways that feel familiar to people, and to disseminate information to
promote understanding and awareness concerning hydrogen.
Hiroyuki Ota
We use CO2-free
electricity derived from
renewable energy
Viewpoint
Ensuring safety of hydrogen
Hydrogen burns strongly if it is ignited when it is at a level of
4%–75% in the air. But by applying safety measures particular to
the nature of hydrogen, it is possible to handle it more safely than
other flammable gases. As hydrogen is extremely light and
diffusive, there are ways to prevent explosions; for example by
installing vents and fans in the ceiling of the facilities handling
hydrogen to maintain the hydrogen level at below 4%.
At Toshiba, we aim to promote awareness of our knowledge on
hydrogen that we have built up over the years, and to develop
hydrogen technology that can ensure safety in all possible
circumstances.
Senior Manager
New Energy Solution Project
Toshiba Corporation
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