Komatsu Develops Hydrogen Generator

JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Komatsu has announced the development of a hydrogen-powered generator that will be used to power an electric mini excavator. It can be transported to the job site, allowing electric construction equipment to be used in places where there is no electric power infrastructure. The system will be tested at customer sites by September 2024.

The generator was developed in cooperation with DENYO. The generator is 3.1 meters long, 1.1 meters wide and 1.7 meters high. It generates electricity by mixing up to 40% hydrogen with light oil. HVO fuel (hydrogenated vegetable oil), a type of biofuel made from waste cooking oil, can also be used.

Komatsu has developed hydrogen-blended combustion power generators for use in on-site power generation at factories and other facilities. The company sells seven types of electric construction equipment but is unable to supply power to sites where there are no power distribution networks, so it has been working to commercialize an electric power supply infrastructure.

Source: The Nikkei

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New Hydrogen Colors to Watch in 2024

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Gold hydrogen refers to naturally occurring deposits of the gas trapped underground in a way similar to how natural gas and oil deposits are found under the Earth’s surface. This type of H2 is different from White in that White now typically refers to the gas when it is above the surface, such as in the atmosphere, but Gold refers specifically to the gas found in underground deposits.

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Toyota and Chiyoda Develop Hydrogen Production System

JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Toyota Motor Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation have announced the joint development of a hydrogen production system. The two companies plan to begin demonstration tests at Toyota’s main plant in fiscal 2025 and hope to begin marketing the system around fiscal 2027.

The system will produce hydrogen by electrolyzing water. It will have an output of about 5 megawatts and will be able to produce about 100 kilograms of hydrogen per hour. The new plant has a footprint of 6 meters wide by 2.5 meters deep, about half the size of a typical plant. By linking multiple plants, the production volume can be significantly increased.

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