[Japan] NEDO, Obayashi, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Demonstrated the World's First Thermoelectric Power Supply with 100% Hydrogen Fuel in Kobe

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Obayashi Corporation, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries demonstrated the world’s first thermoelectric power supply in an urban area, using a gas turbine system operated with 100% hydrogen fuel in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture on April 19 and 20, 2018. The 1 MW hydrogen cogeneration system (Hydrogen CGS) was installed at Kobe Port Island. Using only hydrogen as fuel, it successfully delivered 2,800 kW of heat to the Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital and the Kobe Port Island Sports Center, and also supplied 1,100 kW of electricity to both facilities, as well as to the Kobe International Exhibition Hall and the Port Island Water Treatment Plant. The project will continue to conduct verification tests and acquire seasonal data to establish optimal control technologies for producing electricity, heat, and hydrogen energy.

The Hydrogen CGS can operate using either hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and natural gas. NEDO demonstrated the Hydrogen CGS using hydrogen and natural gas in February 2018 and verified the combustion and operational stability at that time.