2010 TMC, AISIN provide household fuel cells for test program
Tokyo—TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) and AISIN SEIKI CO., LTD. (Aisin) announce they will provide a total of 30 residential, solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC1) cogeneration systems developed jointly by Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas), Kyocera Corporation (Kyocera), TMC and Aisin to five Japanese gas companies, as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization's (NEDO's) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Verification Project2 for 2009.
Specifically, TMC and Aisin will provide four SOFC cogeneration systems to Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., one to Toho Gas Co., Ltd., 23 to Osaka Gas and one to Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. TMC and Aisin have already supplied one to Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. Once installation is complete in regular households, the five gas companies will gather data necessary for commercialization.
TMC and Aisin have worked together with Osaka Gas and Kyocera since March 2009 on the development of residential SOFC cogeneration systems. By joining in this verification project to gather data for the research and development of commerciallyviable systems, they hope to accelerate progress, culminating in the commercialization of residential SOFC cogeneration systems by the first half of the 2010s.(1)
Fuel cells using ceramic electrolytes. Oxygen is ionized and, by passing through an electrolyte, chemically reacts with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, generating electricity. One of the notable characteristics of this system is that it uses carbon monoxide.(2)Begun in 2007 the project's aim is to install residential SOFC cogeneration systems in regular households to identify future technological development issues based on the data acquired. Unless otherwise noted, years mentioned are from April 1 to March 31.
Outline of SOFC cogeneration systems provided to NEDO project for 2009
Features
1. System is one third lighter and smaller than TMC and Aisin's 2008 system1,facilitating easier installation in multi-unit housing complexes and detached houses.
2. Modifications to cell2 electrodes have improved durability.
Specifications
Power Generating Unit
Size Height 930 mm Width 580 mm Depth 300 mm Weight 90 kg
Fuel Processed natural gas (13A)Rated power generation output 700 W
Rated generation efficiency LHV*1 45% HHV*2 41%
Rated exhaust recovery efficiency LHV40% HHV 36%
*1 Lower heating value. Does not include latent heat of vaporization of water
*2 Higher heating value. Includes latent heat of vaporization of water.
Waste Heat Utilization Hot Water Heating Unit (Detached house specifications)
Size Height 1,700 mm Width 700 mm Height 300 mm
Weight 89 kg
Hot water tank volume 70 liter
Hot water temperature Approx. 70°C
(1) Residential polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration system provided to NEDO's 2008 Large-Scale Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration Project.(2)Fuel cells (electric power generator) composed of a cathode, electrolyte and an anode. A single cell has an electromotive force of less than one volt and an output of only a few watts, so cells are connected sequentially in a stack to increase voltage and power output.