Tanaka Kikinzoku Energizes 500 kW Pure Hydrogen Fuel Cell at Hiratsuka Plant, Covering 34% of Facility’s Power Needs

July 19, 2026

PV Magazine Japan

Overview

Tanaka Kikinzoku has commissioned a 500 kW pure hydrogen fuel cell power generation facility at its Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan. Utilizing Toshiba’s H2Rex system, this facility is capable of supplying approximately 34% of the plant’s electricity consumption with a high overall efficiency of 95% and a design life of around 80,000 hours. This significant deployment marks a tangible step towards industrial decarbonization and enhanced energy self-sufficiency, showcasing hydrogen’s potential in sustainable manufacturing.

In Depth

Key Findings

Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo has successfully brought online a 500 kW pure hydrogen fuel cell power generation facility at its Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. This system is designed to provide approximately 34% of the plant’s total electricity consumption, demonstrating high energy efficiency and long-term operational durability. This deployment represents a critical milestone in accelerating the adoption of hydrogen energy within Japanese industry.

Technical Details

The deployed fuel cell system incorporates Toshiba’s H2Rex technology, renowned for its impressive overall efficiency of 95%. Engineered for a robust operational life of approximately 80,000 hours, the system ensures consistent and reliable power delivery. By using pure hydrogen as fuel, the facility achieves zero CO2 emissions during power generation, significantly reducing environmental impact. On-site hydrogen power not only minimizes transmission losses and enhances energy security but also offers greater flexibility in integrating with renewable energy sources.

Background and Industry Context

Amid a global push for decarbonization, reducing CO2 emissions in the industrial sector has become an urgent priority. Hydrogen energy, owing to its clean attributes, is recognized as a potent solution for decarbonizing manufacturing processes. As a leading company in precious metal materials, Tanaka Kikinzoku has actively contributed to the realization of a hydrogen society through its development of fuel cell catalysts and electrolyte membranes. This internal plant deployment underscores the company’s technological expertise and commitment to the cause.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

The activation of this 500 kW fuel cell facility is a pivotal step for Tanaka Kikinzoku towards achieving its CO2 emission reduction targets. Furthermore, it serves as a successful case study for other large industrial facilities contemplating hydrogen fuel cell adoption, providing valuable insights for roadmap development and technology selection. Future advancements are expected to involve integration with larger hydrogen supply infrastructures and further decarbonization through synergistic applications with renewable energy, contributing to the broader industrial transition towards net-zero.

Source: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/17/the-hydrogen-stream-tanaka-energizes-500-kw-pure-hydrogen-fuel-cell-facility-in-japan/

Get our weekly technology intelligence — free

Receive an infographic that lets you judge at a glance whether each field’s analysis report is worth reading.

Subscribe Free — Weekly Tech Intelligence

By subscribing, you’ll receive Troy-Technical’s weekly technology intelligence newsletter.