ENEOS, Toyota explore CO2-free Hydrogen production and usage in Woven model city

Japanese energy group ENEOS Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have recently signed a joint agreement to explore CO2-free hydrogen production and usage at Woven City, the futuristic model city Toyota has started to develop in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Toyota's subsidiary Woven Planet, which is responsible for the planning of the model city, will accelerate efforts of the partners by managing technical logistics to the project, said the official statement. Back in May last year, ENEOS and Toyota signed a basic agreement to co-develop the am advanced hydrogen-based society that is fully-carbon neutral in the Woven city.

ENEOS is a leading company in the hydrogen business in Japan, operating 45 commercial hydrogen refueling stations in the four major metropolitan areas. Towards a hydrogen mass-consumption society and to promote the overall low-carbon use of energy, the company is developing technologies to facilitate hydrogen production and building an entire supply chain based on CO2-free hydrogen.

As per the latest joint agreement, the partners have committed on the following:

• Construct a hydrogen refueling station adjacent to Woven City.
• Install electrolyzers at the hydrogen refueling station, which will produce CO2-free hydrogen using electricity generated by renewable energy.
• Supply CO2-free hydrogen to not only various FCEVs from passenger cars to commercial vehicles but also to Woven City using a pipeline.
• Install a stationary fuel cell generator at the hydrogen refueling station in case of a power outage.
  
  

Further, the companies will also research and design an efficient hydrogen supply and demand management system in the Woven city. The ENEOS hydrogen refueling station is scheduled to begin operations before the opening of Woven City in 2024-2025, the companies have said.

Positioning hydrogen as one of the most viable clean energy sources of the future, Toyota has significantly invested in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. It is offering various mobility solutions powered by hydrogen including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, forklifts, trains, and ships, as well as stationary generators.

The aim of Woven city project is to build a society in which people can enjoy a happy, healthy, and sustainable life. Through their partnership, ENOES and Toyota are leveraging each other's expertise and experience to fully explore hydrogen's potential.

At Woven City, they intend to promote carbon neutrality in everyday mobility, people's lives, and within the infrastructure of the city itself as well as to raise awareness of hydrogen among resident families and visitors.