
Panasonic test uses largest hydrogen storage tank in Japan, Tesla battery packs
December 14, 2022The idea is to trial a factory of the future at one of the company’s sites near Kyoto, Japan.
Panasonic is testing a new factory design that will bring together the largest hydrogen storage tank in Japan with Tesla battery packs.
The H2 tank stands over 14 meters tall near the Tokaido Shinkansen Line train tracks outside Kyoto.
Near the massive hydrogen storage tank, Panasonic also has a large solar panel array, H2 fuel cells, and Tesla Megapack storage batteries. The power sources have enough capacity to generate the electricity required to power part of the manufacturing site using exclusively renewable energy.
“This may be the biggest hydrogen consumption site in Japan,” said Panasonic Smart Energy System Business Division Manager Kawamura. “We estimate using 120 tons of hydrogen a year. As Japan produces and imports more and more hydrogen in the future, this will be a very suitable kind of plant.”
The hydrogen storage tank is meant to help in the design of factories of the future.
The Panasonic factory in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture is conveniently located between a highway and a high-speed railway, comprising a considerable 52 hectares. The factory was initially constructed for goods manufacturing in 1969, when it was used to make refrigerators, TVs and washing machines, among other household appliances. These were considered to be the “three treasures” of what Japanese families most wanted as they rebuilt the country following World War II.
One of the plant’s corners is now the H2 Kibou Field, which is a demonstration sustainable power facility which began operating last April. It contains a 78,000 liter hydrogen storage tank, as well as a 495-kilowatt H2 fuel cell array comprised of ninety-nine 5kW fuel cells, in addition to 570kW from 1,820 photovoltaic solar panels. The solar panels are arranged to capture the largest amount of sunlight, in a “V” shape. The site also contains 1.1 megawatts of lithium-ion battery storage.
On the H2 Kibou Field, one side features a large display showing in real-time how much power is being generated by the fuel cells fed by the hydrogen storage tank, and solar panels that produce electricity. Approximately 80 percent of the power generated every year is from the fuel cells, while the solar panels make up the remainder.
It is really good initiative towards sustainability and to reduce carbon footprint. This will be revolutionary step in the energy domain. I would really like to visit this site but I am doubtful about the availability of renewable green hydrogen in such a big quantity and cost effectiveness over the grid electricity. Also I am curious to understand about the fuel cells and battery for storage.I am just wondering how these nascent hydrogen technologies are made working by Japanese colleagues.I congratulate them for there achievement and success which can become game changer in the energy sector. Thank you.
where is the hydrogen coming from ? Obviously not the solar.
Well done Japan, Tesla should now start the process of converting their battery technology to sodium as soon as possible. Recent research has found the electrolyte that makes sodium technology superior to lithium, a major development and breakthrough. Japan and other countries should consider sodium batteries in their future plans to provide the needed renewable energy for their countries. Oceanwater will be the mineral source for the sodium batteries and the water for the hydrogen in the future.
Energy for the world, endless energy and climate warming solved.
Recent technological advances in the layering design and minerals used in solar cells should soon greatly improve there efficiency. Can you imagine a world with endless energy. Also consider the economic benefit worldwide to countries when they are able to stop using oil and natural gas for energy and transportation. Other uses for oil and natural gas will benefit from an increase in supply and decrease in cost.