JERA Co., Inc. and DENSO Corporation have announced the start of Japan’s first demonstration of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) hydrogen production at a thermal power plant. The initiative, launched at JERA’s Shin-Nagoya Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, represents a major milestone in Japan’s efforts to scale hydrogen technologies for a carbon-neutral future.

The demonstration involves SOEC systems developed by DENSO, with an electrolysis power capacity of 200kW. Unlike conventional water electrolysis, SOEC technology operates at high temperatures and is designed to deliver superior efficiency by reusing heat energy that would otherwise be wasted. By integrating this with JERA’s expertise in large-scale energy operations, the project aims to achieve hydrogen production with the world’s highest-level electrolysis efficiency.

Hydrogen, which emits no CO₂ when combusted, is expected to play a pivotal role in future energy systems. It is being explored not only for power generation but also for applications in transport, mobility, and heavy industry. Recognising this potential, JERA and DENSO began joint development of high-efficiency hydrogen production using SOECs in August 2024. Since then, they have worked to combine DENSO’s heat-management capabilities—originally cultivated in the automotive and mobility sectors—with the operational needs of power generation. This collaboration has now advanced to the demonstration stage, making the Shin-Nagoya site the first thermal power plant in Japan to host such a project.

The Shin-Nagoya demonstration is designed as a proving ground for scaling up SOEC-based hydrogen generation. Initially operating at 200kW, the companies plan to expand the system’s electrolysis power to several megawatts in the coming years, paving the way for broader industrial adoption. Such scale-up will be critical to lowering costs and accelerating the commercial viability of next-generation hydrogen production technologies.

For JERA, the project aligns closely with its ambition to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions from both domestic and overseas operations by 2050. The company is actively building a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain and developing zero-emissions thermal power that can provide reliable electricity without carbon emissions. DENSO, on the other hand, is adapting its advanced heat and systems technologies from the automotive sector to advance hydrogen utilisation, supporting a transition to sustainable energy solutions beyond mobility.

Source: 

https://www.denso.com/global/en/news/newsroom/2025/20250925-g01/