Tokyo Gas and Panasonic announced the joint development of the world’s first “Ene-Farm” home fuel cell for condominiums.
The new “Ene-Farm” home fuel cell for condominiums will be sold by Tokyo Gas from April 1, 2014. The product is the first commercialized fuel cell in the world where the fuel cell unit, hot water unit and backup heat source unit can all be stored in the pipe shaft of the condominium.
In comparison to detached houses, condominiums have more restrictions on the conditions for installations. By increasing the air tightness of the unit itself, it has become possible to install the new fuel cell in the pipe shaft in the open hallway of a condominium. In addition, in order to meet the installation standards of condominiums, the legs that anchor the unit have been strengthened, making the fuel cell more earthquake resistant, and measures, such as a modified exhaust structure, have improved the wind resistance of the fuel cell, making installation in the upper floors of a condominium and operation in strong winds possible.
The “Ene-Farm” fuel cell cogeneration system generates electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and hydrogen extracted from city gas, which is used at home. The heat generated as a byproduct of this process is also used for hot water supply. This system is extremely eco-friendly as the electricity is generated and used in the same location, leading to no loss during transmission.
Compared to using electricity from thermal power plants and heating water using city gas, the new “Ene-Farm” fuel cell for condominiums reduces primary energy consumption by approximately 37% and CO2 emissions by approximately 49% when operating at the rated electricity generation. In a model case, users can cut around 30,000 to 40,000 yen (about $308 to $410 or 224 to 228 euros) from their annual utility bills, and reduce annual CO2emissions by approximately 1.0 ton.
Tokyo Gas is aiming for sales of 500 units in FY 2015 (ending March 31, 2015).
Ene-Farm specification:
| Launch date | April 1, 2014 (scheduled) | |
| Performance | Power generation output | 200 W – 750 W |
| Rated generation efficiency | 39.0% (LHV), 35.2% (HHV)*10 | |
| Rated heat recovery efficiency | 56.0% (LHV), 50.6% (HHV)*10 | |
| Overall efficiency | 95.0% (LHV), 85.8% (HHV)*10 | |
| Water tank capacity | 147 liters | |
| Dimensions | Fuel cell unit | H1,750 mm × W399 mm × D395 mm |
| Hot water unit | H1,850 mm × W400 mm × D560 mm | |
| Backup heat source | Hot water heater (standard type) H750 mm × W480 mm × D250 mm Hot water heater (slim type) H900 mm × W250 mm × D450 mm | |
| Weight (dry) | Fuel cell unit | 99 kg |
| Hot water unit | 54 kg | |
| Backup heat source | Hot water heater(standard type) 44 kg Hot water heater(slim type) 49 kg | |
| Recommended retail price (Including tax, not including installation fees) | Open price | |
| Free maintenance support | 10 years | |
