Japan's largest power generator JERA and automotive components maker Denso Corp. will develop hydrogen generation technology using Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) and energy generated from waste, it said said Aug. 5.

Japanese firms are among the front runners for the adoption of clean fuels even as the government, with a new zero carbon emissions target at 2050, considers new greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2035.

JERA and Denso will conduct a joint demonstration of the technology, developed by the latter, at a JERA thermal power station, beginning in fiscal year 2025 (April-March), JERA said.

"Based on the outcomes of the 200 kW joint demonstration test, the companies will aim to scale up the technology to a multi-thousand kW level by integrating multiple SOECs," JERA said.

"Through this joint development and joint demonstration testing, the companies will work toward the early establishment of a global supply chain for green hydrogen and ammonia and contribute to finding solutions for global decarbonization and energy issues."

Denso has pursued initiatives in manufacturing, mobility products and energy use to be on course for a carbon neutrality goal by 2035, the JERA announcement said.

With the project with JERA, Denso will apply technology cultivated through the development of automotive systems to the development of the SOEC, "which has the advantage of high stability and efficiency," it said.

As for JERA, under its JERA Zero CO2 Emissions 2050 objective, it is working to build a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain as part of efforts to achieve the net-zero emissions from its domestic and international operations by 2050, it added.

For instance, in thermal power generation, JERA is introducing greener fuels as it pursues zero-emissions thermal power generation.

JERA completed a nearly three-month-long 20% ammonia cofiring test at its 1-GW No. 4 coal-fired unit at the Hekinan thermal power plant June 26, marking the world's first cofiring of ammonia at a large commercial coal-fired power plant.

SOECs operate at high temperatures using a ceramic membrane as an electrolyte to electrolyze water and produce renewable hydrogen.

JERA said the technology pathway requires less electrical energy for electrolysis compared to conventional pathways namely alkaline electrolysis and proton exchange membrane, that are being considered for the production of renewable hydrogen.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed Japan hydrogen produced via alkaline electrolysis (including capex) at $6.23/kg Aug. 2, up 33% month on month.

It assessed New South Wales hydrogen produced via alkaline electrolysis (including capex) at $9.58/kg on Aug. 2, up 46.26% from a month ago, Commodity Insights data showed.

Source: S&P Global Commodity Insights