By AYUMI SUGIYAMA/ Staff Writer
December 5, 2024 at 19:05 JST
Hydrogen fuel cells installed at a Panasonic plant in Cardiff, Wales, work in combination with the rooftop solar panels. (Ayumi Sugiyama)
CARDIFF, Britain--Panasonic Corp. has started a pilot project of using only renewable energy generated from hydrogen and solar power at its manufacturing factory here.
The initiative is part of the electronics giant’s global efforts to promote hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Through the project, Panasonic seeks to form partnerships with businesses in Europe, a region recognized for its leadership in environmental innovation.
“I hope that many companies will visit us here to share ideas and work together to create a better future,” Panasonic President Masahiro Shinada said at a ceremony held at the plant on Dec. 3.
Panasonic expects its hydrogen-related businesses will reach 100 billion yen ($667 million) in the world by the 2030s.
The Cardiff factory, which assembles microwave ovens, consumes about 1 gigawatt-hour of electricity annually.
Electricity for operations will be generated through rooftop solar panels and Panasonic-made hydrogen fuel cells, which will compensate for fluctuations in solar power generation caused by changing weather conditions.
The hydrogen used in the process is “green hydrogen,” produced using electricity from local wind farms.
Through the project, Panasonic will collect data on the best operational combination of fuel cells and solar panels in European climates.
Excess electricity will be stored in batteries, while hot water, a by-product of fuel-cell power generation, will be used to heat the facility.
The trial project is currently in its initial phase of testing equipment. The full program is set to start by the end of March.
Panasonic has been conducting a similar trial at its factory in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture. The Cardiff project represents the company’s first such initiative overseas.
Hydrogen is gaining increasing attention in Britain as a clean alternative energy source, particularly in light of the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to Panasonic, the average cost of electricity in Britain has jumped more than sixfold since August 2021.
Toyota boosting ties to run race cars powered by hydrogen fuel
September 7, 2021
Large hydrogen station to be set up at former Olympic Village
October 17, 2022
Japan OKs plan to double use of renewables for energy by 2030
October 22, 2021
Japan embracing ammonia power to achieve 2050 zero CO2 target
April 4, 2021
Japan earmarks $107 billion for developing hydrogen energy
June 6, 2023
A peek through the music industry’s curtain at the producers who harnessed social media to help their idols go global.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
