Tokyo, May 27, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - ITOCHU Corporation (TSE: 8001) will start a demonstration test involving a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Stationary Fuel Cell, in collaboration with Hitachi Zosen Corporation (TSE: 7004) and Hydrogenics Corporation of Canada.
ITOCHU Corporation applied to the demonstration test subsidy program of Mie Prefecture and Yokkaichi City, proposing a combination of a PEM Fuel Cell and a water electrolyzer, and has recently received official approval.
The system to be tested includes Hitachi Zosen's PEM water electrolyzer and Hydrogenics' 10 kW "HyPM-10" PEM fuel cell power module. The system will be integrated by Hitachi Zosen with support from Hydrogenics, and installed at the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) in Yokkaichi City.
This system uses renewable energy. Electric power for the electrolyzer will be supplied by a photovoltaic power generation system as well as grid power. Hydrogen generated by the electrolyzer will be reconverted into electricity by the fuel cell for use in ICETT. By using the combination of an electrolyzer, a hydrogen storage tank, and a fuel cell, this "regenerative" power system can supply a stable quantity of electric power from renewable energy sources, thus contributing to the attenuation of global warming. By producing hydrogen using off-peak grid power, the system can also contribute to the leveling of electric load demand.
The system will be installed between August and September 2004 and subsequent demonstration tests will be conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the regenerative system. In addition, joint studies for system improvement will be conducted with research institutes and corporations based in Mie Prefecture. Following the demonstration test, ITOCHU plans to develop and commercialize improved versions of the regenerative system as well as a 10 kW stationary fuel cell system for commercial markets.
ITOCHU is actively involved in the field of renewable energy, environmentally-friendly energy and energy conservation, with businesses including wind power, distributed power generation, fuel cells, and binary geothermal power generation. EneSol Inc., a subsidiary of ITOCHU aiming to be a total energy solution provider, currently provides onsite power supply and energy saving services, thus contributing to global environment preservation and to the effective utilization of natural resources. EneSol developed a 9.9 kW kerosene gen-set for onsite distributed power generation, and in the future intends to provide similar services using stationary fuel cell systems.
About Hitachi Zosen Corporation
Hitachi Zosen Corporation ( http://www.hitachizosen.co.jp/) is actively working to cut greenhouse gases, utilize renewable energy and make effective use of waste heat, thus contributing to the transition from the current fossil energy oriented society toward an environmentally friendly, sustainable energy society in which both fossil energy and renewable energy coexist. Hitachi Zosen will pursue and develop solution business, engineering business, integration business, manufacturing and service businesses relating to hydrogen-based distributed power generation systems and refueling stations, based on its hydrogen generation and handling technologies as well as operation expertise from the Mie Project.
About Hydrogenics
Hydrogenics Corporation ( http://www.hydrogenics.com) is a leading clean power generation company, engaged in the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology and test stations for fuel cells. The company is building a sustainable business, in a potentially "game changing technology" for transportation, stationary and portable power. Hydrogenics, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has operations in British Columbia, Canada, Japan, the United States and Germany.
About ITOCHU
ITOCHU Corporation is one of Japan's leading trading companies and is engaged in a wide variety of businesses, including textiles, machinery, aerospace, information technology, multimedia, metals, energy, chemicals, forest products, food, retail, financial services and so forth. Itochu maintains over 130 offices around the world and owns over 640 subsidiaries and affiliates. Itochu aims to build new profit-making strategies and adding new functions in order to become more global, and to foster businesses in new fields. For more information, please visit www.itochu.co.jp.
About HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
Hitachi Zosen Corporation was established in 1934 and is a leading manufacturer of heavy machinery. Environmental systems and plant including food plant, garbage incinerators and industrial waste disp
Contact:
Itochu Corporation
Naoki Kitajima,
Media Relations
kitajima-n@itochu.co.jp
81 3 3497 7293
May 27, 2004
Source: ITOCHU
Source: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION
ITOCHU (TSE: 8001)
HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION (TSE: 7004)
From the Japan Corporate News Network
http://www.japancorp.net
Topic: Research and development
View more news from these Sectors: Fuel Cells, Fuel Cells
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