Kawasaki Heavy Industries Uses Demonstration Tests to Verify Hydrogen Origin, Emissions

Since the Trump Administration took office, there’s been a decreased domestic focus on hydrogen-based power generation in favor of the widely supported, easily available LNG option. Despite taking a backseat in the United States, many European and Asian companies are still investigating hydrogen infrastructure, power assets, and how this low-carbon fuel may be integrated within the international energy landscape.

One such example is Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ (KHI) recent demonstration tests at the Himeji No. 2 Power Station in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Together with Kansai Electric Power, KHI tracked hydrogen’s carbon intensity from production to power generation, as well as determined its origin to enhance value, further decarbonization, and push for large-scale commercialization. According to a KHI spokesperson, hydrogen traceability will ensure transparency, reliability, and establish public trust in its environmental attributes.

Himeji No. 2 Power Station | Image Credit: PIXTA

TURBO: In comparison to other fuels, how carbon-intensive is the hydrogen process from production to power supply?

KHI: Hydrogen’s carbon intensity depends on its origin of production, whether it is made from renewable energy where carbon intensity is very low, nuclear power, or fossil fuels. Thus, it will be critical not only to show that power is produced from hydrogen but also showing what kind of origin produces hydrogen power.

TURBO: How will these demonstration tests help Japan to build its hydrogen supply chain, achieve carbon neutrality, and eventually reach commercialization?

KHI: The demonstration tests aim to identify the origin of hydrogen and enhance the value of low-carbon hydrogen. By doing so, it will not only enable the accurate evaluation and social recognition of hydrogen’s value and environmental attributes but also ensure the transparency and reliability of hydrogen through proper assessment and management. This will allow users to confidently choose low-carbon hydrogen.

TURBO: On a technical level, how will KHI calculate and track CO₂ emissions across various hydrogen processes?

KHI: Based on international standards regarding hydrogen distribution management methods and carbon-intensity calculation methods, we collected data from sensors and records covering the process from hydrogen production to just before its use in hydrogen power generation. These data were processed in 30-minute intervals and used to calculate CO₂ emissions and the carbon intensity of hydrogen. Additionally, attribute information such as the production method and current location was linked to hydrogen, enabling traceability management. Hydrogens from three different origins are used in this testing, and the power generated by hydrogen co-firing can be identified as originated from those three different hydrogens.

• Nuclear-derived low-carbon hydrogen produced within the power station
• Nuclear-derived low-carbon hydrogen produced in Fukui Prefecture
• Renewable energy-derived green hydrogen produced in Yamanashi Prefecture

TURBO: What other work has KHI completed at the Himeji No. 2 Power Station? Are there any upcoming projects you’d like to discuss?

KHI: The environmental attributes management testing will be the only testing KHI conducts at the Himeji No. 2 Power Station. In the past, KHI has conducted the greenhouse gas emission calculation methods demonstration testing in Oita Prefecture.

TURBO: Are there any primary differences between nuclear-derived hydrogen and green hydrogen? How do they fit within a co-firing application?

KHI: The types of electricity used in water electrolysis equipment for hydrogen production vary. Nuclear-derived hydrogen uses electricity generated by nuclear power plants. Since this electricity is zero-carbon, the hydrogen produced from it is considered low-carbon hydrogen. Green hydrogen uses electricity derived from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. Hydrogen produced using this electricity is low-carbon hydrogen made from sustainable energy.

Once hydrogen is mixed, it becomes indistinguishable as the physical characteristics are the same and its origin cannot be identified. By digitally categorizing and managing the origin of hydrogen, it becomes possible to determine how much hydrogen from each source was used during power generation.

TURBO: What are the latest trends in hydrogen combustion technology? How is KHI deploying these technologies across its portfolio?

KHI: In these demonstration tests, we manage hydrogen used for co-firing power generation prepared by Kansai Electric Power, as well as the environmental attributes of the electricity generated through co-firing, by calculating, recording, and tracking it. This enables identification of the hydrogen’s origin and CO₂ emissions. KHI is not using co-firing power generation technology in this testing.

In August 2017, we formulated the “Kawasaki Global Environmental Vision 2050,” aiming to reduce environmental impact through the provision of decarbonization solutions centered on hydrogen technologies. Through various efforts, such as this testing at the Himeji No. 2 Power Station and another in Oita, we intend to incorporate hydrogen environmental attributes management into our portfolio and continue to advance our efforts.

TURBO: Once emissions are tracked, what are the next steps for this project?

KHI: As this demonstration testing is expected to enable the identification of hydrogen origin in hydrogen power generation, we would like to explore ways to enhance the value of low-carbon hydrogen. While we will refrain from disclosing specific details, we plan to continue joint discussions aimed at commercializing hydrogen’s environmental attributes management.