Tokyo Gas, Sekisui House Market Fuel-Cell Homes

Tokyo Gas Co., the largest city gas supplier in Japan, announced on 26 April 2005 that it has installed Lifuel, a residential fuel cell cogeneration system, in pre-built private homes. This is the world's first commercial application of stationary fuel cells in private houses.

The systems were installed in three new pre-built family houses in Hachioji City, Tokyo, which were put on sale on April 29, 2005 by Sekisui House Ltd, a leading Japanese housing manufacturer. The two companies also plan to install the Lifuel system in seven houses in Kichijoji, Musashino City, Tokyo, which will go on sale in September 2005.

The Lifuel system is an energy-efficient cogeneration system that generates electricity through the reaction of hydrogen with city gas and oxygen from the air and also supplies hot water using exhaust heat. Standard equipment for the houses includes a floor heating system and a dishwasher/dryer that also utilize this system.

This system can reduce CO2 emissions, a major culprit in global warming, by about 40 percent, and reduce primary energy consumption by about 26 percent compared to conventional systems. Houses with the Lifuel system are expected to contribute to environmental conservation while providing residents with a comfortable lifestyle.

http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/index_e.html

Posted: 2005/11/04 08:02:57 AM
Japanese version