Video: Portable hydrogen cartridge prototype developed

A portable hydrogen cartridge working prototype has been developed by Toyota and subsidiary Woven Planet.

It will facilitate the everyday transport and supply of hydrogen energy to power a broad range of daily life applications in and outside the home, possibly including e-mobility.

Toyota and Woven Planet will do proof of concept (PoC) trials in various places, including Woven City – a human-centred smart city of the future being constructed in Japan’s Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Both are studying viable pathways to carbon neutrality and consider hydrogen to be a promising solution.

Advantages include zero CO2 when hydrogen is used and minimal emissions when hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.

Hydrogen can be used to generate electricity in fuel cell systems and can also be used as a combustion fuel.

Together with ENEOS Corporation, Toyota and Woven Planet are working to build a comprehensive hydrogen-based supply chain aimed at expediting and simplifying production, transport, and daily usage.

These trials will focus on meeting the energy needs of Woven City residents and those living in its surrounding communities.

The portable hydrogen cartridge prototype is 400mm long, 180mm wide and is expected to weigh 5kg.

It is swappable for easy replacement and quick recharging, can meet energy needs in remote and non-electrified areas and may be used quickly in a disaster.

To use hydrogen as an energy source in homes and daily life, the technology must meet different safety standards and be adjusted to new environments.

The Japanese government is working on a range of studies to promote the safe early adoption of hydrogen and Toyota and its business partners are offering cooperation and support.

Toyota and Woven City say they will continue to improve the hydrogen cartridge, making it increasingly easy to use and improving energy density.

They aim to develop best practices for incorporating clean hydrogen energy into daily life by doing human-centred demonstrations in and around Woven City.

The portable hydrogen cartridge prototype will be showcased on June 4 and 5 at the Super Taikyu Series 2022 Round 2 at Fuji SpeedWay (June 3-5).

The series’ ST-Q class includes the hydrogen-powered Toyota Corolla and other in-development manufacturer cars geared towards carbon-neutral technologies.

Multiple types of hydrogen receptacles will be considered in the future based on further application research.

One hydrogen cartridge is assumed to generate enough electricity to operate a typical household microwave for about three to four hours (based on about 3.3kWh/unit electricity output).