MOL Leads the Way: Offshore Production and Delivery of Green Hydrogen to Tokyo
Key Ideas
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) successfully produced green hydrogen offshore with the Winz Maru yacht and delivered it to Tokyo, showcasing a significant milestone in green energy production.
- The project includes converting hydrogen to a liquid organic hydrogen carrier for safe transportation, utilizing wind-powered sailing vessels, underwater turbines, and seawater for electricity generation and hydrogen production.
- MOL aims to scale up the project with larger vessels by the early 2030s as part of the Wind Hunter Project, contributing to Japan's carbon neutrality target by 2050 through domestic green hydrogen supply.
- The successful demonstration test in Omura Bay and the future plans for Tokyo Bay underscore MOL's commitment to developing a sustainable green hydrogen supply chain for the region.
Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully producing green hydrogen offshore with its demonstration yacht, Winz Maru, and delivering it to Tokyo. The project marks a significant advancement in sustainable energy production. The company's approach involves onboard hydrogen production on the yacht, utilizing a plant to create transportable green hydrogen. By 2025, MOL plans to produce around 200 liters of hydrogen using this method.
Green hydrogen is highlighted as an eco-friendly energy source capable of generating electricity and heat while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. The process involves extracting hydrogen from water, tapping into a widely available resource. To ensure safe and efficient transportation, the produced green hydrogen is converted to the liquid organic hydrogen carrier MCH. The Winz Maru operates as a wind-powered sailing vessel, leveraging underwater turbines and seawater for electricity generation and hydrogen production.
In preparation for scaling up the project, MOL has adapted the MCH tanks and integrated turbine generators into the vessel. Additionally, safety measures have been implemented to address the potentially rough sea conditions in Tokyo Bay compared to Omura Bay, where initial tests took place. The Winz Maru undertaking is part of the Wind Hunter Project, aimed at establishing a green hydrogen supply chain.
Looking ahead, MOL plans to expand the initiative by testing a larger vessel within the Wind Hunter Project framework, with the goal of operationalizing it by the early 2030s. This initiative aligns with Japan's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, emphasizing the country's commitment to sustainable energy practices. The successful completion of the demonstration test in Omura Bay and the upcoming onshore facilities in Tokyo Bay signify MOL's dedication to fostering a sustainable green hydrogen ecosystem in Japan.
Topics
Green Hydrogen
Renewable Energy
Technology
Innovation
Sustainability
Green Energy
Marine
Carbon Neutrality
Shipping
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