Japan Energy Starts Installing Home Fuel Cell Systems

Japan Energy Corp., a Japanese refiner, announced on June 8, 2005 that it has started installing an LPG reforming stationary fuel cell system in typical households. For the time being, the company will promote the system mainly in the Kanto area (surrounding Tokyo), targeting 30 units installation in the first year, and a total of 150 units within three years.

The home fuel cell system has a rated electricity generation capacity of 700 watts and a hot water tank capacity of 200 liters, with 65 percent or higher rated combined efficiency (higher heating value standards). Liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, is used for fuel.

The company concludes what it calls the "JOMO Smile L Contract," a three-year contract for fuel cell maintenance, with users, asking them to provide data and answer questionnaires on the system usage. The company covers installation and maintenance costs for the system, while users only bear LPG fuel costs.

This undertaking utilizes subsidies from the Stationary Fuel Cell Extensive Demonstration Project FY2005 promoted by New Energy Foundation, which encourages technical development and practical applications of fuel cell systems.

http://www.j-energy.co.jp/english/

Posted: 2005/11/11 11:08:55 AM
Japanese version