Asahi Kasei to install 10 MW alkaline water electrolysis system in Japan; H2 from renewable energy
27 August 2018
Asahi Kasei and its subsidiary Asahi Kasei Engineering Corp. have received an order from Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp. for a 10 MW alkaline water electrolysis system in a single unit to be installed at the Fukushima Hydrogen Research Field in Namie, Futaba, Fukushima, Japan.
Development of the large-scale alkaline water electrolysis system featuring high energy efficiency and outstanding responsiveness with fluctuating output was achieved based on Asahi Kasei’s chlor-alkali electrolysis technology, with the support of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, which placed the order for Asahi Kasei’s electrolysis system, was commissioned by NEDO to implement a Hydrogen from Renewable Energy Project in Namie, as a technological development project.
Integrated with a large-scale solar power generation plant, the electrolysis system will form a core part of the Fukushima Hydrogen Research Field scheduled for test operation in the autumn of 2019 and start-up in the summer of 2020.
Asahi Kasei’s alkaline water electrolysis system is an example of “power-to-gas” technology to convert renewable energy into clean hydrogen which is expected to be utilized in transportation and industrial applications as a substitute for fossil fuel.
Not one single word about cost or efficiency. Typical.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 27 August 2018 at 06:36 AM
Total efficiency is probably as good or similar to the average ICEVs of about 20%. to 25%.
Cost is very relative depending on the availability of cheap fossil fuels which is not the case for Japan and most EU countries. Pollution cost have to be fully considered?
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 August 2018 at 07:40 AM
From high purity brine the plant outputs chlorine Cl, caustic soda NaOH and H2.
The more recent development is the removal of mercury and asbestos .from the membrane.
"The membrane process for chlor-alkali electrolysis eliminates the need for mercury and asbestos as process materials, and enables greater energy efficiency."
https://www.chemicals-technology.com/projects/chlor_alkali/
Posted by: Arnold | 28 August 2018 at 06:14 PM