Study on hydrogen production using geothermal to be done in Japan

Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (source: IMBiblio / flickr, Creative Commons)

Carlo Cariaga 12 Jul 2022

A four-company team consisting of Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS), Kansai Electric Power Company Inc (KEPCO), Kanden Plant Corporation, and Iwatani Corporation  will be conducting a study on hydrogen production using unused geothermal energy. The study site will be in Oguni-Machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture and will be conducted from July 2022 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 utilization 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.

Through this project, Toshiba ESS will investigate the effective use of unused geothermal steam to produce stable and low-cost green hydrogen to expand geothermal utilization 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 utilization of unused geothermal energy from geothermal power plants in Japan and overseas, as well as the expansion of hydrogen production.

Oguni-Machi is the site of abundant geothermal activity with six hot springs areas and numerous fumaroles at the foot of the Kuju mountain range.  It is the site of the Sansui Geothermal Power Plant which is being developed by Baseload Power Japan.

Source: Toshiba ESS