Panasonic Corp, which has its head office in Tokyo, has announced that in order to accelerate the competitiveness of its businesses that contribute to carbon neutrality (decarbonisation), it will launch a power supply and demand management demonstration project at
Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd, its Cardiff-based company that manufactures microwave ovens and other products.
The project will use Panasonic’s ‘RE100’ solution (100% renewable energy) based on pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and photovoltaic generators for in-house power generation, thereby ensuring that 100% of the electricity consumed in PMUK’s microwave manufacturing will be from renewable sources.
RE100 uses 5kW pure hydrogen fuel cell generators, combining these generators with photovoltaic generators and storage batteries for ‘highly integrated control of power generation and a storage battery system to manage power supply and demand in accordance with fluctuations in power demand and renewable energy output due to weather conditions’. Panasonic says this system not only helps reduce excess and wasted power generation but also ensures a stable supply of renewable energy.
“This decentralised energy package, based on local power generation for local consumption, will increase resilience to natural disasters. In addition, the 5kW pure hydrogen fuel cell generators can be optimally controlled according to the power demand, extending the lifetime of the hydrogen power generation system and enabling uninterrupted maintenance during operation.”
Demonstration projectThe demonstration project at PMUK involves the installation of 21 new 5kW pure hydrogen fuel cell generators (with a total output of 105kW), photovoltaic generators (290kW), and storage batteries (1MWh) to verify how ‘power supply and demand management works in response to changes in weather and electricity demand’ in Cardiff with the goal of turning the microwave oven factory into an ‘RE100’ factory.
“The use of pure hydrogen fuel cell generators will require less installation space and provide a stable power source. At the same time, the heat generated during hydrogen power generation can be used to heat air and water, further improving energy efficiency. By demonstrating the RE100 solution in PMUK, Panasonic will develop an optimal solution for local conditions and establish relationships with local partner companies and business customers involved in the hydrogen business.”
Masahiro Shinada, Panasonic’s CEO, concluded: “With a mission to contribute to the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, Panasonic takes a medium- to long-term view of its business, aiming to create a society that achieves both wellbeing and sustainability. By demonstrating the RE100 solution at our factory in Cardiff, we hope to create a new business that contributes to UK society and the fight against climate change. In addition, we aim to develop our business in the long term to achieve a hydrogen society and carbon neutrality.”