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Toyota Fuel Cell Co-Gen System Reduces CO2 Emissions

August 18, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

An experimental fuel-cell-based, co-generation system that uses two home-use fuel cells developed by Toyota Motor Corp. (Nagoya, Japan) and Aisin Seiki Co. have succeeded in supplying electricity and heat to four dwellings and reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by 22.7 percent compared with conventional systems, according to experiment participants. The system can also reportedly cut energy consumption by 13.3 percent.

The experiment began in February at a Nagoya condominium for staff members of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture, using the fuel cells developed by Toyota and Aisin Seiki. The fuel cells, each capable of generating 1 kW of electricity, powered a co-generation system to supply electricity and heat. Although one fuel cell is usually used for each home, two fuel cells in combination for four dwellings balance the consumption of electricity and heat, according to the promoters of the project, which include Toho Gas Co. and the local Chubu branch of the Urban Renaissance Agency.

The experiment will continue through September to gather practical data applicable to efforts to save energy and fight global warming.