Hydrogen energy research and developments in Japan

Abstract

Hydrogen energy research and development programs in Japan can be divided into four categories: (1) The Sunshine Project conducted by MITI since 1974. This is the most prominent and ambitious national program. More than $20 million has been spent for hydrogen energy development since its beginning in 1974. (2) The program of windpower storage developed by the Science and Technology Agency. Two 20 kW windmills convert wind energy into heat which is stored in a metal hydride system and is used to greenhouse farming in the winter time. Other activities are mostly alloy development. (3) Basic studies in universities are mostly on hydrogen production by the semiconductor-liquid junction, by photochemical reaction and by biological processes. (4) Some activities in private enterprises, for example, are on the application of metal hydrides, hydrogen liquefaction plant, direct reduction of ore and so on, but not on the thermochemical method at all. This paper reviews the principal programmes and activities on hydrogen energy systems in Japan. However, the main part will be devoted to the Sunshine Project which covers all the major aspects, namely, hydrogen production, storage, transmission, usage and safety as well as economic implications of hydrogen energy systems.