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Title: Japan rises to challenge of becoming ‘hydrogen society’
Source:
japantimes.co.jp
URL Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20 ... nge-becoming-hydrogen-society/
Published: Oct 12, 2014
Author: Kazuaki Nagata
Post Date: 2015-03-08 18:13:06 by Operation 40
Keywords: hydrogen, renewable, japan
Views: 566
Comments: 1
Hydrogen viewed as key to energy needs after Fukushima Since the 2011 onset of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has had to drastically revise an energy policy that had long heralded atomic power as its main source of energy. The new energy policy announced in April outlines plans to decrease Japan’s nuclear dependence as much as possible, while boosting renewable energy sources. At the same time, it also says the government will promote the use of hydrogen to pave the way for a “hydrogen society.” “Hydrogen, which can achieve high energy efficiency, low environmental burden and capability for emergency use, provided appropriate usage, is expected to play a central role as a secondary energy source,” the government’s policy report said. Reflecting growing demand for alternative forms of energy that are clean and efficient, automakers are set to sell their first commercial fuel-cell vehicles, powered by hydrogen, starting next year. “Why do we need to promote hydrogen energy? The Japanese government lays out about four main reasons — energy-saving, (the) environment, energy security and industrial competitiveness,” said Eiji Ohira, director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Group at the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (Nedo), a Kanagawa Prefecture-based semi-public body in charge of research and development of new energy sources...SNIP Published on Dec 18, 2014 Japan's government has announced a major change in its program for asking power companies to buy electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The new policy was announced at a meeting of an advisory panel of the Economy and Industry Ministry on Thursday. Under the plan, utilities are to be able to stop buying electricity generated using solar and wind power if they see a risk of oversupply due to unpredictability involved in the 2 sources. The utilities would turn down offers of solar power produced by households as well as businesses. Utilities would still be obliged to purchase electricity generated through the more predictable methods of geothermal and small-scale hydraulic power generation. Utilities have been obliged to accept essentially all offers of electricity generated through renewable sources. Since September, many of the country's utilities started limiting their purchases of solar power, citing a destabilizing oversupply. The ministry plans to implement the change in mid-January by amending a relevant ordinance. First hydrogen fueling station in Tokyo opens in Japan Major utility Tokyo Gas opened the facility in Tokyo's Nerima Ward on Thursday. The fueling station can serve only about 50 cars a day due to a limited capacity to store hydrogen. Each filling takes about 3 minutes. Sales of fuel-cell vehicles began for the public earlier this week. The company plans to decide on the price of hydrogen before drivers receive the cars. It aims to set the price at roughly the same level as regular gasoline. Toyota President Akio Toyoda talks about the new Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Test Drives Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
Complete article: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/12/national/japan-rises-challenge-becoming-hydrogen-society/
Dec. 18, 2014
The first hydrogen service station for fuel-cell cars in the greater Tokyo area has opened for the public.
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Bump - Americans can watch as Japan becomes energy independent without dirty Nuclear energy
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