Transition to a Hydrogen Energy-Based Society
Generating demand for hydrogen energy
Having set the goal of swiftly building a hydrogen energy-based society-one based on the widespread use of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) Iwatani is moving forward to develop hydrogen refueling stations across Japan.
These stations will serve as essential components of a supply infrastructure that supports the wider use of hydrogen. (As of October 31, 2023, we operated 51 stations in Japan and five in the United States.) Construction is underway on the first hydrogen refueling station in an expressway service area in Japan, which is opened in September, 2023.
We also plan to develop hydrogen refueling stations for FC trucks and other commercial FCVs, for which demand is expected to grow. In October 2021, we opened the Iwatani Advanced Hydrogen Technology Center, which is designed to play a central role in promoting the development of state-of-the-art technologies in areas such as green hydrogen for decarbonization and high-pressure hydrogen, essential for refueling stations.
We have also begun working on the hydrogen vessel concept for the Osaka-Kansai Japan Expo. This project involves building a ship propelled by electric motors fueled by hydrogen with the capacity to transport from 100 to 150 passengers. By transporting passengers between the Expo 2025 venue on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and sightseeing spots around Osaka, this ship will provide a highprofile opportunity to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen energy to observers from across Japan and around the world.
Japan Hydrogen Association (JH2A)
Established in December 2020 to develop a hydrogen-based society earlier through various practical projects, the Japan Hydrogen Association (JH2A) started operation as a general incorporated association in April 2022. With a membership of 413 companies as of November 2023, including not just energy suppliers, automakers, and manufacturers of various types of related equipment but banks, securities firms, and insurers, the JH2A is a truly nationwide organization. As a corepresentative of the JH2A, we are moving ahead with various energetic initiatives in partnership with other members.
Hydrogen Council
Made up of over 152* leading companies from the energy, transport, and manufacturing sectors around the world, the Hydrogen Council seeks to achieve its shared goals by formulating recommendations for hydrogen use and effective action plans in joint efforts with policymakers, hydrogen-using businesses, international organizations, and citizens’ groups in various countries. As a member of the Hydrogen Council’s steering committee, Iwatani is active in efforts to expand use of hydrogen in Japan through sharing a global hydrogen vision.
- *As of June 2023
Japan H2 Mobility, LLC (JHyM)
The JHyM was established in 2018 to develop and efficiently operate hydrogen refueling stations to serve fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and promote their wider use. Current participants number 35 Japanese companies* drawn from the automotive, energy, and finance sectors, including Iwatani. Iwatani is active in building and operating hydrogen refueling stations and the standardization of related equipment and systems as part of efforts to enhance the hydrogen refueling station network.
- *As of May 2023
The Fukushima Plan for a New Energy Society
Iwatani also participates in the Fukushima Plan for a New Energy Society, an effort led by the Japanese government and Fukushima Prefecture to test the conversion of electricity generated from renewable energy into hydrogen for storage and use in local communities. In 2018, we built the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field facility in the town of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture.
Developed jointly with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Tohoku Electric Power, Tohoku Electric Power Network, and Asahi Kasei Corporation, this facility has the capacity to produce hydrogen equivalent to a 10,000-kW class power plant from solar power and other renewables (up to 2,000Nm3/hour). Feasibility testing began in FY2020. Hydrogen generated by this facility is being used for fuel cell power generation and to supply hydrogen refueling stations.
Participating in and Organizing Various Councils and Committees
Iwatani participates in and helps establish various organizations to build and grow a society based on hydrogen energy. In the Kansai region, we serve as the secretariat of the Kobe Kansai Area Hydrogen Utilization Council. We are also a member of the Chubu Hydrogen Utilization Council in the Chubu region and the Tokyo Bay Zero Emission Innovation Council in the Kanto region. Through our participation in these organizations, based on knowledge gained to date from activities involving commercial hydrogen, we are pushing ahead with testing and studies to integrate hydrogen technologies into the social fabric of each region. We also participate in carbon neutral port study committees established by individual ports to advance port functions, in efforts to achieve carbon zero status in waterfront areas, and in studies on hydrogen handling in these areas. Serving as home to oil refineries, power plants, and various other facilities, these areas typically generate significant CO2 emissions.
Iwatani Hydrogen Energy Forum
Since 2006, Iwatani has hosted the Iwatani Hydrogen Energy Forum at two venues, in Osaka and Tokyo. These events seek to deepen understanding of the various aspects of a hydrogen energy-based society and provide opportunities for networking to catalyze a shift toward such society. Each forum includes special lectures and Q&A sessions among participants intended to accelerate the widespread use of hydrogen energy.
