Nami Azar
Yahya KhademAllah
Ursuline College
Nurete Brenner
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With the increased demand in the world for energy, the need for clean and sustainable energy is more urgent than ever before. Fossil fuel had a significantly negative global impact on the environment and on people. The ability to have a sustainable, reproducible source of energy will definitely reduce the number of conflicts in the world, as many of the global conflicts are related to fossil fuel needs.
The concept described here in this innovation is based on using renewable energy to power hydrogen-generating systems and fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity — with zero carbon emissions.
Toshiba has dedicated itself to developing energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive smart communities. It has recognized the important role of hydrogen as a cleaner, more efficient energy source when compared to fossil fuels. The innovation is based on using renewable energy to power hydrogen-generating systems and fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity — with zero carbon emissions.
Toshiba’s plan for implementing a hydrogen-based energy society includes products being developed for hydrogen manufacture, storage, and consumption. Toshiba's plan is for manufacturing to use renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to create hydrogen using water electrolysis. The hydrogen produced is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry and steel industry.
The hydrogen then can be used to generate electricity, with water as the only byproduct. New hydrogen energy storage systems will allow massive amounts of the gas to be warehoused over long periods. This stored hydrogen will be available for use during peak demand periods to create electricity, using fuel cells to ensure a stable supply of electricity in each region without generating CO2. The generated water will be also clean for any alternative use, such as for agriculture.
This innovation has the potential to change the world as it becomes more and more urgent to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels.
Originally Toshiba had developed the fuel cell technology in 1978. Now the company has the largest share in the market of residential fuel cells in Japan. One of its strengths in technologies is the solid oxide electrolysis cell with high efficiency. Toshiba representative Dr. Yonezawa stated: “Our experiences during the long-term development realized that and extended into the large-scale hydrogen energy supply system, named as H2One.”
In order to implement their vision, Toshiba built an internal project team for H2One and has deployed several systems in Japan, such as in Kawasaki-city and Fuchu. In the U.S., they are collaborating on an initial-stage demonstration project with ComEd and Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
Toshiba’s plan for realizing a hydrogen-based society includes products being developed for hydrogen manufacture, storage, and consumption. Manufacturing will use renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to create hydrogen using water electrolysis. Hydrogen is produced as a byproduct of the petrochemical industry and steel industry. The hydrogen then can be used to generate electricity, with water remaining as the only byproduct.
New hydrogen energy storage systems will allow massive amounts of the gas to be warehoused over long periods. This stored hydrogen will be available for use during peak demand periods to create electricity, using fuel cells to ensure a stable supply of electricity in each region without generating CO2. The generated water will also be clean for any alternative use, such as agriculture.
The smart communities are composed of high-efficiency generation, high-efficiency T&D, intelligent storage, and intelligent energy usage. For example:
Generation: High-efficiency turbine for thermal power station, local generation (production) of hydrogen.
Renewable: Mega solar, windmill.
T&D: Demand response and demand charge systems, SCADA systems that realize stable electric supply.
Storage: High-speed charge and discharge to absorb the fluctuation of generation by solar power or windmill.
Consumer’s Usage: Demand prediction and automatic control of facilities for energy saving utilizing data from smart meters, proposal of the customized and minimum energy usage to consumers based on the analysis.
When asked about how creating environmentally friendly systems relates to Toshiba’s mission as a company, knowing that it has an impressive Environmental Vision 2050 and that the H2One system clearly can reduce energy consumption, Dr. Yonezawa said that “I believe Toshiba can provide several solutions to help the reduction of the amount of natural resources being consumed. Especially for H2One system, in the age of the fuel cell car, the system should play a major role in reducing the consumption of natural resources.”
The goal is to move to a zero-emission community by introducing industrial innovations, such as safe hydrogen storage and hydrogen transportation. This will induce local hydrogen production for local consumption in the business and hydrogen supply chain.
The vision is to realize a sustainable society fueled by green, renewable hydrogen.
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Dr. Minoru Yonezawa, President of Toshiba America Research Institute
