Nippon Oil Corp., a Japanese energy company, announced recently that it will put the world's first LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) home fuel cell system on the market starting March 1, 2005 under the name "ENEOS ECO LP-1." .

In cooperation with Sanyo Electric Co., Nippon Oil has improved the system based on data from operational tests conducted since February 2003 across the country.

The cogeneration system and runs only on LPG and is designed to generate both electricity and heat, with a power generation capacity of 750-watts and a hot water tank capacity of 200 liters. Its power generation efficiency is a high 76 percent, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30 to 40 percent compared to conventional systems. As LPG is not supplied through pipelines, but from gas cylinders placed at each household, this decentralized energy system is considered to be eco-friendly, and a reliable system in the event of a disaster that would shut down the power grid.

A total of 150 systems will be installed in Tokyo and 10 prefectures in the Kanto area during fiscal 2005. The company enters rental contracts with its users (for three years at 60,000 yen, or about U.S.$580, per year) and requests that they provide operational data and answer questionnaires. By using the information from users the company aims to improve the system and expand its coverage to all parts of Japan starting in fiscal 2006.

- Residential Fuel Cell Development Reaches Practical Stage (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/216-e

Posted: 2005/03/28 11:47:51 AM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Global warming , Manufacturing industry , Technology