Electrification is not the sole way to achieve carbon-neutral transportation.
At least in light of recent events in Japan. Kawasaki, which already collaborates with Yamaha, Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda and is conducting research on hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, has officially announced the initiation of a project to build equipment for large-scale liquid hydrogen production.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries owns 100% of Japan Hydrogen Energy Co, which was tasked in June by Japan’s Ministries of Economy, Trade, and Industry with demonstrating the liquid hydrogen supply chain. The project intends to offset the CO2 emissions. It envisions two pricing levels for hydrogen supply: 23 euro cents per cubic meter of hydrogen in 2030 and 20 euro cents in 2050 (at the current exchange rate).
At the moment, it is expected that the liquefaction technology has the greatest impact on the final price of hydrogen throughout the chain. Scaling up production and optimizing the liquefaction process are critical for lowering the price of hydrogen and so enabling hydrogen to be used as a zero-emission fuel for internal combustion engines.
It is no accident that Japan Hydrogen Energy Co – pronounced Kawasaki – was picked to lead this project. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (main business: heavy transport, such as ships, railways, and airplanes) focuses on industries where electrification will not be a feasible solution to the CO2 emissions problem unless there are genuine revolutions.
On the other hand, Kawasaki’s technique for liquefying hydrogen – the only producer in Japan – utilizes turbines remarkably similar to those used in jet engines. It is an area in which Kawasaki has a long history of involvement in a variety of industries, including motorbikes. Kawasaki Motors has already produced a prototype hydrogen-fueled four-cylinder supercharged motorbike engine block.
At the moment, Kawasaki’s technology is capable of liquefying between five and twenty-five tons of hydrogen each day. Within a few years, these values are expected to rapidly increase to the level required for actual commercial viability.
