Media reports reveal that Nippon Oil Corp., the largest refiner in Japan, is claiming that it will manufacture small fuel cells using ceramics from Kyocera Corp to provide power to homes and meet the demand for alternative sources of energy.
Nippon wants to make smaller and more efficient solid oxide fuel cells by 2012, with an initial target of applying the power to apartments, with a possible expansion of its fuel cell lineup with increased power for commercial use. The fuel cells produce electricity from hydrogen extracted from liquid petroleum gas, and emit water vapor
Nippon stated that it will continue its existing relationship with Sanyo Electric Co. to make proton exchange fuel cells, which are less efficient than solid oxide fuel cells but can vary their output more quickly.
Nippon hopes to expand its total sales of fuel cells to more than 40,000 units by 2016.
Kyocera also jointly develops solid oxide fuel cells for residential use with Osaka Gas, Toyota Motor Corp., and Aisin Seiki Co..
