Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kobe Steel have officially started the operation of a new hydrogen fuel supply system designed for power generation. The project marks an important step in the global shift toward cleaner energy solutions and demonstrates how hydrogen can be used more efficiently in electricity production.
The newly launched facility is the first system in the world capable of supplying hydrogen fuel to a power plant using a combination of an Intermediate Fluid Vaporizer (IFV) and a high-pressure liquefied hydrogen pump. This innovative technology helps move hydrogen from storage to power generation in a more energy-efficient way.
The project has been developed with the support of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, commonly known as NEDO. The main objective of this initiative is to improve the technologies required for building a reliable regional hydrogen supply chain. By combining engineering expertise from both companies, the system aims to demonstrate how hydrogen can be delivered safely and efficiently for power generation.
In conventional hydrogen power systems, hydrogen gas must first be compressed to a high pressure before it can be used in turbines for electricity generation. This compression process normally requires a large amount of energy. In contrast, the new system increases the pressure of hydrogen while it is still in liquid form using a specialized pump. Since liquid hydrogen occupies less volume than gas, pressurizing it requires far less energy. This approach significantly improves the overall efficiency of hydrogen-based power generation.
Another key component of the system is the Intermediate Fluid Vaporizer developed by Kobe Steel. Hydrogen stored as a liquid must be converted into a gas before it can be used in turbines. The IFV carefully manages this process by warming the extremely cold liquid hydrogen, which is stored at around minus 253 degrees Celsius, and turning it into gas.
During this conversion process, the system captures the “cold energy” released from the liquid hydrogen. Instead of letting this energy go to waste, it can be reused for other industrial applications. For example, the recovered cooling energy can be used to cool gas turbine air intake systems, provide air conditioning for industrial facilities, or support cooling operations in data centers.
Over the coming months, the companies will conduct extensive testing to ensure the system operates reliably under different conditions. This includes running the system during the peak heat of summer and examining the long-term durability of the equipment.
The companies also plan to use the hydrogen supply system to fuel a dry-type low-emission gas turbine. This will help further reduce emissions while generating electricity.
By successfully launching this system, the project demonstrates how hydrogen can become a practical and scalable energy source. The technology could eventually support hydrogen use in industrial areas, power plants, and local communities, helping advance the transition toward a low-carbon energy future.
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