Environmental Management Environmental Sustainability Report 2005

Contribution to Environmental Protection through Products, Technologies and Services (4)

Recyclable Energy and Development of Clean Energy Hydrogen energy Utilization: High-purity hydrogen and oxygen generator system Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. developed a landmark device, a high-purity hydrogen and oxygen generation system called HHOG. It uses a proton exchange membrane to generate high-purity hydrogen and oxygen from pure water. Hydrogen is noted as a next-generation energy alternative to fossil fuels. HHOG can generate hydrogen from only electricity and water. Also, it does not emit such gasses as CO2 that cause global warming. Owing to these features, sales of the equipment are steadily increasing the in and outside Japan. HHOG is installed at hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles in Yakushima, Kyushu, Japan, which is registered on the World Heritage list. Also, Kobe Steel has developed the world's first 1,000 bar (100 MPa) ultra-high pressure compressor for hydrogen refueling stations that supply hydrogen gas to fuel cell vehicles. We will further proceed with research and development to achieve an eco-friendly hydrogen society. * Recently in Japan, stations that supply hydrogen gas at 400 bars have begun to be constructed. Research and development is now being carried out for 1,000 bar-class stations, for hydrogen tank with higher pressure installed on fuel cell vehicles. HHOG fuel cell system developed jointly with Chugoku Electric Power Co., Ltd. Mechanism of hydrogen gas generation A proton exchange membrane acts as the electrolyte. Electrocatalysts are bonded on both sides of the membrane. Deionized water fed into the anode chamber is decomposed into oxygen and the ion H+. The ion passes through the membrane to the cathode by force of the electrical field. The ion obtains electrons and generate hydrogen gas. Wind Power Generation system Shinko Electric Co., Ltd. has developed Soyokaze-kun V-II, a wind power generator with an improved design that incorporates solar panels. The Soyokaze-kun series of small wind power generation systems makes the best of aircraft technologies as well as cutting-edge know-how for clutches, AC generators, and controllers. The capacity of the new product has improved by 74% compared to conventional products. In place of conventional propellers, Soyokaze-kun adopts a unique vertical shaft windmill made of aluminum sheet from Kobe Steel. The windmill can generate electricity in a slight breeze of 2 meters per second wind velocity, irrespective of wind direction and has high generation efficiency. Proprietary units such as windmill, generator, and inverter are used. It has the highest functions for generators of this class, with a hybrid generator having solar panels as well as power capacity of AC100V which can power nearly all electrical appliances. Also, nearly free of wind noise, the system can be installed in residential areas in Japan. The windmill is used in general households and small offices, as well as for auxiliary power supply for communication in times of disaster. The unit has found use in street lamps, ships, farms, and also is used to power isolated islands. It was introduced in the Aichi Expo's Nagoya City Pavillion, Daichi-no-to (Tower of the Earth). Kobe Steel has also developed a high-power unit of 10kw capacity by stacking four vertical shaft windmills. The solar panel, installed at the top of windmill tower, actively promotes the use of natural energy. Shinko Electric Co., Ltd. HP Vertical shaft gyromill-type windmill