R&D and deployment of residential fuel cell cogeneration systems in Japan

The activities and present state of R&D and deployment of residential fuel cells in Japan are presented. More than 2,000 fuel cell systems using polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) have been installed to general homes by the end of 2007. The development of residential solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems is also being promoted toward market launch. The activities of Osaka Gas Ltd. are reported as an example of industrial sector. Osaka Gas is an active leader on residential cogeneration systems, and succeeded on residential micro-gas engine and PEM fuel cell cogeneration systems. The stories on the R&D of fuel cell cogeneration systems, especially on the control strategy improvement for energy saving are presented. The future prospective by authors was also addressed.