Fuel Cells for the Home, in Japan

Japan is testing a generator for the home that runs on fuel cells. It started in 2005 at the Prime Minister’s residence but now has grown to some 3,000 households.

Japan, being the energy-poor nation that it is, is desperate to find energy elsewhere and fuel cells can run on hydrogen extracted from hydrocarbons, natural gas, bio mass, water, even rubbish to create methane. No CO2 is emitted, a side benefit is a steady supply of hot water and the machine is silent.

Japan has almost no natural energy of its own and must rely on imported crude oil and the country’s ability to produce energy efficient appliances.

Energy giants, Nippon Oil, Tokyo Gas, Sanyo Electric, Toshiba, Matsushita Electric Industrial, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and even Toyota Motors is behind the push to make the fuel cell system more affordable. The current cost - Y2 million ($19Kish). The goal is to have the price quartered by 2015, and I really think they can do it.

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