Japanese partners eye methanol-derived hydrogen for clean backup power
Source：H2 view
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical has partnered with Japanese technology firm Fuji Electric to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system that generates electricity by producing hydrogen from methanol, rather than using hydrogen directly.
H2 View understands the partners plan to produce hydrogen via methanol reforming, using green methanol made from CO2 and waste to decarbonise the process.
Leveraging Fuji Electric’s fuel cell expertise, the system could provide backup power for data centres and factories in Japan, helping to ease peak electricity demand if brought to market.
The current study aims to begin the demonstration by March 2027.
“The goal is to combine two companies’ technologies and expertise to create a fuel cell system that efficiently and cost-effectively generates electricity using methanol-derived hydrogen,” Mitsubishi said in a statement.
“The envisioned system will use green methanol produced with MGC’s Carbopath environmental recycling platform, making it possible to offset CO2 generated during methanol reforming,” the Japanese multinational added.
Storing hydrogen in methanol and reforming it on-site for fuel cell power generation is considered simpler, safer, and more efficient hydrogen transport compared to compressed gas.
Swedish tech firm PowerCell is developing its M2Power 250 hydrogen-based methanol fuel cell system and received its first order last March, worth SEK 150m, from an undisclosed European shipyard.