Japan's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Funding Tops $240 Million
Hydrogen and fuel cell research funding in Japan topped $240 million in the current fiscal year, more than twice the amount being spent by the U.S. Department of Energy, and three times the amount requested for 2013.
(Washington, DC April 13, 2012) Hydrogen and fuel cell research funding in Japan topped $240 million in the current fiscal year, more than twice the amount being spent by the U.S. Department of Energy, and three times the amount requested for 2013.
The totals were derived from a recent speech by the director of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Promotion Office at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The total includes financial support for residential fuel cell installations and a variety of research and demonstration activities.
The ENE-FARM residential fuel cell unit has been highly successful in Japan, with over 10,000 units having been sold in the last year alone. ENE-FARM manufacturers, including ENEOS Celltech, Toshiba, and Panasonic, anticipate continued strong sales throughout the fiscal year.
The Japanese government will be making a decision this summer on the budget for deployment of up to 100 hydrogen stations to support the first commercial sales of fuel cell electric vehicles.
To see a chart with 2012 funding and budget slide, please go to http://www.fuelcells.org/news/Japan2012FuelCellFunding.pdf.
Featured Product

HPS EnduraCoilTM Cast Resin Medium Voltage Transformer
HPS EnduraCoil is a high-performance cast resin transformer designed for many demanding and diverse applications while minimizing both installation and maintenance costs. Coils are formed with mineral-filled epoxy, reinforced with fiberglass and cast to provide complete void-free resin impregnation throughout the entire insulation system. HPS EnduraCoil complies with the new NRCan 2019 and DOE 2016 efficiency regulations and is approved by both UL and CSA standards. It is also seismic qualified per IBC 2012/ASCE 7-10/CBC 2013. Cast resin transformers are self-extinguishing in the unlikely event of fire, environmentally friendly and offer greater resistance to short circuits. HPS also offers wide range of accessories for transformer protection and monitoring requirements.