The Honda FCX
In addition to a solar cell-powered hydrogen refueling station, Honda is operating an experimental Home Energy Station that generates hydrogen from natural gas for use in fuel cell vehicles while supplying electricity and hot water to the home as part of its ongoing research into development of hydrogen production and supply systems for a hydrogen-based society of the future.
Honda has long been conducting research into hydrogen production and supply systems for a hydrogen-based society of the future. At the solar-powered water electrolyzing hydrogen station that has been operating on an experimental basis since 2001 at Honda R&D; Americas in Torrance, California, employment of HondaÕs water electrolyzing module, which boasts world-leading efficiency, as well as next-generation solar cell panels made by Honda Engineering, has further improved hydrogen production efficiency and greatly reduced CO2 emissions during system manufacturing. In 2003 Honda established an experimental Home Energy Station that generates hydrogen from natural gas for use in fuel cell vehicles, while supplying electricity and hot water to the home through fuel cell cogeneration functions. In November 2004, in collaboration with Plug Power Inc. of the US, Honda began operating a second-generation Home Energy Station, which unifies natural gas reformer and pressurizing units into one compact component to reduce the overall volume by approximately 50%. Honda is continuing its efforts to develop systems required for a hydrogen-based society of the future through experiments with various hydrogen production and usage systems.
Schematic of a solar-powered water electrolyzing hydrogen station
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Outline of a solar-powered water electrolyzing hydrogen station
Location: Honda R&D; Americas research facility in Los Angeles System configuration: Solar battery, electric converter, electrolyzing system, compressor, pressurized hydrogen tank Hydrogen production capacity: In conjunction with commercial electric power: Max. 2Nm3/h*; Solar power only: Max. 1.2Nm3/h* Hydrogen storage capacity: 400L (350 atm) |
Schematic of Home Energy Station
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Outline of Home Energy Station
Location: Plug Power Inc. headquarters (New York) System configuration: Reformer, refiner, fuel cells, compressor, high-pressure storage tank Hydrogen production capacity: Maximum 2Nm3/h* Hydrogen storage capacity: 132L Power generation capacity: Over 4kW |
* N = standard conditions at 0ºC, 1 atm |
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