The Use of Fuel Cells in the Home

The electric generating power of the Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System product described here is 1kW. In terms of output, it is a small generator, but let us look at what effect it has when used in the home.

What is an Electric Generating Power of 1kW (1000W)?

The power consumption of a refrigerator is around 100-200W. An air conditioner suitable for an 8-mat room consumes some 400-500W during operation. A 37-inch plasma TV consumes around 200W. In a household using recent products with high energy-saving features, it can be considered that a fuel cell generating output of 1kW is sufficient to meet these requirements.
However, in an average home, many electrical appliances, including lighting, are used, and each consumes electricity. There are also products which consume large amounts of electricity for a period of time, such as for cooking and washing clothes. With these considerations, it is far beyond a fuel cell generating output of 1kW to supply all the power consumed in the home.

However, a cogeneration system is a system that generates electricity, and uses both that, and the heat that is generated when it is produced.
When fuel cell power generation performance of over 33%(HHV) is added to water heating performance of over 45%(HHV), and you consider the fuel cell not merely as "a system that generates electricity," but "a system that can generate electricity at the same time as heating water," the effectiveness of household fuel cells becomes apparent.

For the Effective Use of Energy

If you take a look at the usage of power and hot water in the home, in general, they are consumed in the morning and from evening until you go to bed.

There is a 200L hot water tank in the fuel cell to store hot water. If operation of the fuel cell is carried out maintaining a balanced relationship between the thermal energy stored in the tank and the energy consumed as electricity, it becomes possible to consume the energy supplied as city gas with great efficiency in the home.

Maintenance of Reliability and Safety

The Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System is a new system. Precisely because it is a new system, reliability and safety must be maintained.
Matsushita Electric, as a general electric appliance manufacturer, using our total technological capabilities, making use of design techniques and quality expertise nurtured in our domestic appliance and industry-oriented products, have developed and manufactured the important core technological elements ourselves, thereby maintaining a high level of reliability and safety.

Growing Prosperity in Life by the Use of Thermal Energy

In the past, thermal energy had to be created in the home by consuming gas or electricity. However, if the spread of fuel cells increases, thermal energy is created in the form of hot water when generating electricity, so it is necessary to consume this thermal energy efficiently.
We consider that making use of thermal energy can give rise to various possibilities, such as products that enable the thermal energy generated in fuel cells to the used in everyday life, such as in cookery and housework.

In February 2005, a Household Fuel Cell Cogeneration System was put on sale by Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. as a compact-sized device of the 1kW class, which, by maintaining a balance between both electric and thermal energy, can bring about improvements in energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
Although currently restrained by the fact that the fuel supply is by the city gas infrastructure, fuel cells, which require only a compact space for installation and emit little noise or vibration, can create energy in the home and have the possibility to change the very manner in which energy is consumed in our lives.

In the future, we will continue research and development for further efficiency, not just in the established environment of city gas, but also including LP gas, and while reducing the effect on the environment to the lowest levels possible, will pursue a "new prosperity" to raise the quality of our lives.