The morning of the second day of the FC Expo 2007 saw numbers slightly down from the first, perhaps understandably as the preliminary rush to see the new exhibits has now passed. Im told that the final day is the busiest.
I visited 3 tracks today. The first was called The World Leading Development of Fuel Cell Vehicles. Mr Akahiro Iiyama, Expert Leader of the Fuel Cell Lab., Nissan Research Center, gave a presentation on his companys fuel cell work. It was immediately clear from Mr Iiyamas presentation that CO2 reduction is a powerful factor in Nissans fuel cell efforts; much of the opening section of the presentation was taken up with the potential CO2 reduction that could be achieved from the advancement of more efficient propulsion systems and the use of fuel cells in particular. On to the technology, and Nissans principal fuel cell development efforts currently focus on their X-Trail FCV. The first model was developed in 2003, and the subsequent 2005 model saw cruising range increased from 350km to over 500km, with 0-100 kph acceleration down from 18 seconds to 14. Mr Iiyama said that improving the range of the FCV further would require new methods of storing on-board hydrogen than the pressurised storage system currently deployed. Since 2004 Nissan has carried out a major demonstration programme, initially lending FCVs to various Prefectures, schools and sales events, but more recently they have begun to provide to anyone who wants it the opportunity visit their Ginza headquarters and have a drive themselves (you can book an appointment on the Nissan website). As an aside, I noticed that Mr Iiyama used figures provided by that quality resource Fuel Cell Today to chart the progress of FCV sales over the years.
I changed tracks and sat in on The Latest Development of Diversified Industrial Fuel Cells. Mr Naoshi Tamura of Idemitsu Kosan Co. presented his companys field testing experiences of its 10 kW MKC kerosene-fuelled PEMFC units. Idemitsu began field testing these units in 2005, installing them deliberately in a wide range of real-world environments, including schools, noodle bars, public baths and restaurants. Most were installed in the city of Ichihawa, and from the moment the project got underway important practical lessons were learned. The local authorities at first resisted the installation of the units, thinking it was taking place purely in the interests of the company. So Idemitsu tried again, this time citing the programme as belonging to NEDO (who played an oversight role), and permission was duly granted. Lesson one: work closely with government. As the demonstration went on, the efficiency in terms of CO2 reduction and conversion efficiency varied markedly depending on the demand load (for example, the schools required little electrical output at night, whereas that was when the restaurant experienced peak demand). Taking the results cumulatively, the second lesson becomes apparent: in order to site a fuel cell in a location where it might yield genuine operational (and therefore economic) benefits, a lengthy period of energy evaluation must take place, in the order of a full year. Taken together the two lessons require close inter-corporate and national demonstration programmes Japan is already leading the world in this respect.
The final track I attended was The Latest Trend of Mobile Fuel Cells Flood of New Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Mr Fumihiro Iwasaki of Seiko Instruments presented Seikos work on small-scale passive fuel cells (no pumps, no heaters), based on sodium borohydride. Seiko are developing 1, 3 and 10 W systems which use the regulation of malic acid to vary hydrogen production from the borohydride and therefore to modulate the voltage. The advantages of such passive systems are that they are lightweight and can be miniaturised, and can also be refuelled relatively easily by means of cartridges. However, in Japan there are outstanding codes and standards hurdles to be jumped before this type of borohydride technology can be brought to market. Seiko are please with the progress of the technology so far, and are now designing 10 W versions of the system.
Back in the exhibition hall, yesterdays darts game had resumed. By the end of this Expo, I fully intend to find out what that is all about.
I had the opportunity to speak to Mr Tomohide Kazama, Senior Consultant at the Nomura Research Institute. We chatted about mobile phone developments, and in particular which formats were likely to develop over time. Mr Kazama suggested that we would see a 3-phased development: initially base-chargers, then external chargers which are fixed to the rear surface of the phone, and finally fully integrated fuel cells in the same way that lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are integrated today. Both of Japans largest handset manufacturers, DoCoMo and KDDI, are developing these technologies. DoCoMo are partnering with Aquafairy to produce a base unit using a novel chemical-hydride system. KDDI are partnering with Toshiba, Hitachi and DMFCC, they have already produced a charger unit, and are now working on the external surface charger. In accordance with yesterdays lecture on potential competition between fuel cells and LIBs, Mr Kazama said that the two technologies would necessarily be used in tandem the LIB to produce peak power and the fuel cell to provide for the long duration new uses that the Japanese and South Korean markets demand of their phones, namely viewing TV, playing games and sending emails.
The afternoon was markedly busier than the morning. I still have not found any large scale stationary units on display, but they may still be lurking in some distant corner of the hall. One thing which struck me was the incredible number of fuel cell testing systems I saw. They certainly outnumber the number of systems on display, and possibly even the number of components.
This being Tokyo, alongside the highly technical fare was a good amount of light relief. Next to a high-powered microscope/camera/measurement fuel cell inspection system was a fuel cell powered miniature band possibly the Japanese Beatles? There was also a small dinosaur holding a sign and turning its head, and two butterflies on sticks. No sign of the pterodactyl that David Jollie saw last year, though. Maybe it became extinct.