Asahi Kasei opens multi-module hydrogen pilot plant in Japan

Japanese technology major, Asahi Kasei on Monday (May 13) unveiled a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan.

The trial operation of four 0.8 MW modules is a major milestone for the company in realizing its 100MW-class alkaline water electrolysis system for producing green hydrogen. The commercial-scale operation at the facility started in March 2024 but was officially unveiled recently by the company and Japanese government officials.

"This pilot facility is a milestone not only for Asahi Kasei but also for the global hydrogen business," said Masami Takenaka, Lead Executive Officer at Asahi Kasei, responsible for the company's hydrogen business.

"We believe that successfully operating our equipment in this test facility will be a door opener for commercial large-scale multi-module alkaline water electrolyzers and eventually the realization of a hydrogen society."

The company is aiming for a total sales volume of ¥100 billion (€600 million) by 2030 and plans to start commercial business activities for its alkaline water electrolyzers in 2025.

In the pilot plant, four 0.8 MW Aqualyzer modules are being operated under realistic conditions, including operation during maintenance and low power supply during nighttime. By utilizing the data obtained from these trials, Asahi Kasei will further optimize the equipment design, operation methods, and control technology of the electrolysis system.

With its multi-module approach, Asahi Kasei aims to combine up to 10 modules with a capacity of 10 MW each, enabling commercial large-scale electrolysis systems with a capacity of up to 100 MW.

As per Hydrogen Council, the cumulative global installed capacity of water electrolyzers is forecasted to reach approximately 300 GW by 2030. Given the projected expansion in the hydrogen market, Asahi Kasei plans to meet the growing demand by developing the Aqualyzer alkaline water electrolyzer optimized for the production of green hydrogen.