Toshiba explores hydrogen production using geothermal energy

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation has been notified of adopting the “Development of Technologies for Realising a Hydrogen Society/Comprehensive investigative research” from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. will be the representative operator of this project, and Toshiba ESS will participate as a joint operator. Toshiba ESS will conduct a study on hydrogen production using unused geothermal energy in Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture. The project period is from July this year to March 2023.

KEPCO will be responsible for the overall management of the project, investigation of the amount of hydrogen that can be produced using unused geothermal energy, and investigation of hydrogen utilisation methods. Toshiba ESS will study the equipment layout and design of the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) hydrogen production equipment, as well as the equipment layout and design of the steam turbine and generator that will supply electricity to the hydrogen production equipment.

Currently, a portion of geothermal steam is not fully utilised. Through this project, Toshiba ESS will investigate the effective use of unused steam to produce stable and low-cost green hydrogen to expand geothermal utilisation and promote local production for the local consumption of energy. The hydrogen produced is expected to be applied to heat demands for industries in nearby areas.

This study is the first step toward establishing a business model for the effective use of unused geothermal energy in the future, and once the business model is established, Toshiba ESS will promote the utilisation of unused geothermal energy from geothermal power plants in Japan and overseas, as well as the expansion of hydrogen production. Toshiba ESS will contribute to realising a sustainable society by providing infrastructure services that enhance the value of energy systems.

Shigehiro Kawahara, Vice President of the Energy Aggregation Div., said, “Toshiba ESS has been advancing the development of hydrogen-related technologies, and while striving toward the realisation of a hydrogen society, Toshiba ESS aims to provide high value-added hydrogen solutions by integrating related technologies, such as renewable energy-derived hydrogen energy.”