Photo/Illutration A vending machine that generates electricity using hydrogen and oxygen is installed at the Osaka Kansai Expo in Osaka’s Konohana Ward. The person is holding a hydrogen cartridge. (Ryuichiro Fukuoka)

Visitors to the Osaka Kansai Expo can quench their thirst for science—and hydration—with drinks from the world’s first hydrogen-cartridge powered vending machine, which was installed on March 18.

The environmentally friendly machine generates its own electricity through a chemical reaction of oxygen from the air and hydrogen.

This process causes zero carbon emissions and uses only half the electricity of a typical vending machine.

It is sited under the north side of the expo’s Grand Ring roof.

The hydrogen-cartridge powered machine was jointly developed by Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. and Fuji Electric Co.

The fact that the machine runs off of hydrogen cartridges means it can be installed even in locations without electrical sources. The cartridges will be replaced regularly.

According to Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, the company has not yet decided if this type of vending machine will be put to broad commercial use in the future, since they currently cost more and require additional space to install.

“There is also a need to develop hydrogen infrastructure in society (to make hydrogen easier to obtain,)” a representative said.

A total of 252 vending machines, including those from other companies, will sell beverages at the world’s fair.

With concerns about heatstroke during the summer, the company expects each vending machine to sell 1,000 bottles per day at peak times.

This is around 30 times the average sales of vending machines in urban areas.

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