[From Chisato Horiuchi in Tokyo, Japan]
Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, says there is a need to replace gasoline and diesel with hydrogen
Hydrogen is extremely important in tackling environmental problems, and it can be said that it is the only gas aimed at "carbon zero" that virtually eliminates greenhouse gas emissions. It is required to replace the gasoline, diesel, and natural gas currently used with hydrogen.
"Green hydrogen," which decomposes water with electricity from renewable energies such as solar and wind power, is effective in achieving zero carbon. As the world as a whole moves toward zero carbon, the cost of using renewable energy to break down water is dramatically lower.
In the UK, a project called "HyDeploy" is underway in which we participate. It is an effort to reduce CO2 by mixing 20% hydrogen with natural gas that passes through existing gas pipes. The gas pipes that are installed in each household are assets that already exist in the ground, and if they are used, CO2 can be reduced efficiently (without additional investment). Currently, we are conducting a demonstration experiment in the northern part of the UK, aiming for early commercialization.
In fact, in the UK, until 1969, about 60% of hydrogen was mixed in the gas used at home. With the discovery of the Hokkai gas field, 100% natural gas has been used since then. We want to go back the way we have come and increase the hydrogen flowing through the gas pipes. The goal is to increase the proportion of hydrogen flowing through the gas pipes to 100% by 2050, and I think it is necessary to achieve zero carbon.
It is efficient to utilize existing gas pipes, and similar efforts are being made in Germany and other countries. European energy companies and gas companies have similar awareness of the problem. In March, 90 companies jointly requested the European Commission of the European Union (EU) to consider efforts to mix hydrogen into gas pipes.
It can be said that hydrogen, which is expected as a measure against global warming, is less dangerous than gas and fuel. It's very light, and if it leaks, it will disappear in a few seconds.
ITM Power is a fuel cell-related company listed in 2004. It also has one of the largest water electrolyzer factories in the world. In February, it announced that it would expand its ITM water electrolyzer to an output of 100,000 kW at the Royal Dutch Shell refinery in Rhineland, Germany. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010. As electric power companies move toward zero carbon, the demand for water electrolyzers (which can produce green hydrogen) is increasing.
In Japan, it has a tie-up with Sumitomo Corporation and exports water electrolyzers. The alliance with the company has made it possible to comply with Japanese laws and regulations. In March, it was agreed to deliver 1400 kW of equipment.
In the UK, new gasoline and diesel vehicles will be banned in 30 years. We have a hydrogen filling station for Toyota's fuel cell vehicle (FCV) "Mirai" in the UK. Japan leads the world in the field of mobility such as FCVs and fuel cell buses. We believe that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2009 will also be a place to show the world its technological capabilities.
Graham Cooley received a doctorate in material physics from Brunel University in 1989 and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Bradford in 1995. After working for an electric power company, he has been the CEO of ITM Power since 2009.
Carbon zero
