Current Status of National SOFC Projects in Japan

Abstract

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has been conducting technology development and demonstrative research programs related to SOFC, as one of the most important and promising technologies for CO2 reduction and realizing dispersed power sources. One of their achievements was the-first-in-the-world commercialization of SOFC-based combined heat and power (CHP) system “ENE-FARM type S” in 2011. In June 2014, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has compiled a Strategic Road Map for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. It was established, releasing fuel cells for commercial and industrial use onto the market in 2017 as one of the processes of expanding the use of fuel cell technology. NEDO’s activities on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), including a program “Technology development for promoting SOFC commercialization”, will be overviewed.