Electric and hydrogen carriers
The transportation of renewable energy power and hydrogen produced from renewable energy to consumption areas is being explored. In Hokkaido, PowerX Co., Ltd. is collaborating with the Muroran City and Tomakomai Port Management Association to advance efforts toward utilizing electric cargo ships.
Electricity and hydrogen carriers are expected to regulate the supply and demand of electricity and also to support the supply of electricity domestically and internationally.
Transporting electricity and hydrogen produced from renewable energy to consumption area
- The amount of renewable energy installed in Hokkaido is expected to continue to increase, and it is highly likely that the transmission of electricity to the mainland will not be covered by the expansion of submarine transmission cables alone. Electricity and hydrogen carriers are one solution.
- It is expected to play a role in supplementing the electricity grid and transmitting power from offshore wind farms.
- It can also be used for transmitting power between remote islands, and has the advantage of eliminating cost problems such as maintenance and inspection costs of submarine transmission cables.
- Liquefying hydrogen (1/800th of its volume) as a source of electrical energy enables high-capacity transport and long-term storage.
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Photo: Power Ark 100 Future Concept Image, Image provided by: PowerX Co., Ltd.
PowerX Co., Ltd. World’s First Electric Cargo Ship Demonstration Experiment
- In July 2023, PowerX Co., Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement with Muroran City, and from 2026, it is planning demonstration projects in various locations with Muroran Port as the home port.
- In December 2023, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Tomakomai Port Management Association, and efforts are being considered to promote port decarbonization and regional development through the use of electric cargo ships and storage batteries.
Image provided by: PowerX Co., Ltd.
Image provided by: PowerX Co., Ltd.
Image provided by: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ large liquefied hydrogen carriers.
- Kawasaki’s large liquefied hydrogen carriers are designed to transport large quantities of liquefied hydrogen.
- The demonstration aims to contribute to the realisation of carbon neutrality through innovations in liquefied hydrogen transport technology.
- Hokkaido, where the construction of one of the largest green hydrogen production sites in Japan is underway, could be a suitable location for connecting hydrogen carriers in the future.
