Yamanashi Prefecture and 10 companies participating in technological development have received a grant from the National Research and Development Agency, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) Green Innovation Fund to conduct a demonstration experiment pertaining to the “development of energy demand conversion and usage technology at a large-scale power-to-gas (P2G) system for achieving carbon neutrality” to decarbonize Suntory Holdings Ltd.’s two facilities in the area: Suntory Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant [Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture (hereafter referred to as the water plant)] and Suntory Hakushu Distillery [Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture (hereafter referred to as the distillery)]. Accordingly, the production of green hydrogen and its use at the water plant began today.

With a capacity of 16 MW, the green hydrogen production facilities installed are among the largest in Japan and if operated 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, could produce 2,200 tpy of hydrogen, thereby enabling a CO₂ emissions reduction of 16,000 tons.

In terms of usage, highly-efficient low-NO_x hydrogen boilers have been developed and the demonstration experiment on how part of the heat energy used at the water plant can be converted from fossil fuels (natural gas) to hydrogen will be implemented. The company will decarbonize the water plant and distillery while also promoting the increased utilization of hydrogen in the region.

From now until the end of 2026, the company will demonstrate how this system procures power from renewable energies to produce green hydrogen that is in turn used for steam production. In conjunction with the introduction of large volumes of renewable energy in the future, the company will also aim to deploy the aforementioned system to various regions and locations.

Furthermore, the company has officially named the location of this demonstration project the “Green Hydrogen Park – Hakushu –” with the installation of this system in Hakushu, Hokuto City, which has a lush natural environment and with the hope that it will gain widespread popularity and become a hub for providing green hydrogen in the future.

Yamanashi Prefecture and the 10 companies participating in technological development will continue to work closely together to achieve a carbon neutral society and develop green hydrogen production technology that utilizes PEM water electrolysis systems while also proactively enlarging demand for hydrogen energy.