Asahi Kasei opens 3.2 MW pilot hydrogen power plant

The company targets a 100 MW green hydrogen production plant.

Japanese technology firm Asahi Kasei launched its new hydrogen power plant in Kawasaki with 3.2 megawatts (MW) capacity.

In a statement, Asahi Kasei said the pilot plant, composed of four 0.8 MW modules, is a significant development towards the goal of establishing a commercial multi-module 100 MW-class alkaline water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production.

“This pilot facility is a milestone not only for Asahi Kasei, but also for the global hydrogen business in general. We believe that successfully operating our equipment in this test facility will be a door opener for commercial large-scale multi-module alkaline water electrolyzers and eventually the realization of a hydrogen society,” Masami Takenaka, lead officer at Asahi Kasei, said.

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The company said the pilot facility operates in realistic conditions, operating during maintenance and low power supply during nighttime.

Data from the trials will enable Asahi Kasei to optimise the equipment design, improve operation methods and control technology of the electrolysis systems.

It targets 10 modules with a 10 MW capacity each to enable a commercial large-scale electrolysis system with a 100 MW capacity.