Tokyo: Akanetsu, a part of TBS Holdings, has started full-scale operations at a new hydrogen-based heat source facility in central Tokyo, marking a first for the city.
The commissioning ceremony for the facility was held on May 12, with the plant located in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato ward. The project is the first in Tokyo where a private heat supplier is using green hydrogen on a commercial basis for both power generation and heat supply, ACN Newswire reported.
The facility produces electricity using hydrogen fuel cells and generates heat through boilers that use a mix of hydrogen and city gas. The hydrogen used is sourced from Yamanashi Prefecture and stored safely on-site using special storage systems designed for low-pressure handling.
Speaking at the event, TBS Holdings President Ryujiro Abe said the project represents a major step toward reducing carbon emissions in urban infrastructure and highlights the potential of hydrogen as a future energy source.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said hydrogen is gaining importance as a clean and stable energy option, especially at a time when fossil fuel supplies remain uncertain. She added that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is promoting hydrogen use through initiatives focused on production, transport and consumption.
The new facility is expected to play a key role in expanding the use of green hydrogen in the city. It has also received financial support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
During the event, officials demonstrated the plant’s hydrogen storage system and showcased how electricity and steam are generated from hydrogen. The fuel cells produce electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, while the hydrogen-mixed boilers can reduce emissions by about 21% when operating at higher hydrogen usage levels compared to using only city gas.
The electricity generated at the plant will be used for its own operations, including lighting and power systems. In case of emergencies, the system can operate independently to ensure essential power supply.
Akanetsu President Morimasa Takagi said the project had faced several challenges over the years but marks an important milestone. He also expressed hope for further expansion of hydrogen use, including the development of hydrogen pipeline networks in the future.
The facility is seen as a step forward in Tokyo’s efforts to build a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.
