Sales agreement concluded with a fuel-cell power generation system development & manufacturing company in Taiwan
-Exploring new potential for fuel cells with wider product lineup-

  • Machinery, Energy & Project

2017-06-02

Toyota Tsusho Corporation (head office: Nagoya City; president & CEO: Jun Karube; hereinafter referred to as Toyota Tsusho) has concluded on June 2 an agreement on reformed methanol fuel cell sales with Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp. of Taiwan (Head Office: Taoyuan City; Chairman: Chiang Yi-fu; hereinafter referred to as CHEM), a company engaged in the development and manufacturing of gas insulated switchgears (GISs) and power generators.

1. Advantages of the fuel cell

The fuel cell has outstanding power generation efficiency, achieved by converting energy from the fuel (methanol) directly into electric energy without converting into thermal or kinetic energy. It is an eco-friendly energy system that reduces emissions of hazardous substances such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as power is generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Other advantages include the absence of engines or turbines to minimize noise and vibration, and a reduced number of consumable components to cut down maintenance frequency.

The reformed methanol fuel cell generates power by extracting hydrogen from methanol. This means that requirements for fuel supply and storage are simpler than for hydrogen, making immediate application possible. In addition, CHEM's system integration technology has reduced the size and achieved high output through the use of methanol-based fuel cells. (See "Features of CHEM fuel cells“ for further information.)

2. Toyota Tsusho's role and future activities

Toyota Tsusho expects to take charge of sales, installation, maintenance, and fuel supply for the stationary fuel cell systems from CHEM, which is known for its strengths in developing and manufacturing fuel cell power generation systems.

CHEM and Toyota Tsusho will conclude an exclusive sales agreement aimed at sales to mobile telephone base stations, water treatment plants and railway stations. While focusing on these areas, the two companies will also explore new uses and applications for the fuel cell.

Features of CHEM fuel cells
(1) The methanol tank, reformer (manufactured by CHEM) and fuel cells (manufactured by Ballard Power Systems) are integrated into a single system for marketing as one package.
(2) Stationary-type, reformed methanol fuel cells with output of 5 kW (per system)
(Output up to 10 kW) The standard in electric power output required when used as backup power source for mobile phone base stations

3. Toyota Tsusho's activities in the fuel cell business

In 2015, Toyota Tsusho concluded sales agreements for the Japanese market with SFC Energy AG, a direct methanol fuel cell developer and manufacturer in Germany. In 2016, they concluded an agreement with Ballard Power Systems Inc., a direct hydrogen fuel cell developer and manufacturer.

The company plans to promote sales of stationary fuel cells in the future, tapping on its diverse lineup of fuel cells. At the same time, it will foster development and sales of fuel cells to create new applications in the area of transportation (including commercial vehicles, railways, and sea vessels).

<Toyota Tsusho's fuel cell products>

The information in this release is current as of the date of announcement.
Please note that information may change after the date of announcement. Thank you in advance for your understanding.