In much of the world, decarbonization has become a matter of great importance. If we want to avoid the consequences of climate change, we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under this premise, we have begun to promote projects such as harnessing energy from the power of the wind and electric mobility with battery-powered cars or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
But this dynamic also comes with new ecological challenges. As the blades of wind turbines, batteries, and fuel cells approach the end of their lifespan, we wonder what to do with them. And here, precisely, is where new ideas emerge. Companies like Vestas Wind Systems are opting to recycle some of the components from their industry, a path also chosen by Honda and Mitsubishi.
From the car to the data center
While the hydrogen car is still taking its first steps, the mentioned Japanese multinationals have launched an initiative to build a data center with a power station using hydrogen fuel cells retired from electric vehicles. This is a proposal that aims to avoid waste generation while reducing CO2 emissions from the specific data center.
The new power plant will be located in the city of Shunan, Japan. Honda will begin its construction at the end of next March, and when completed, Mitsubishi will take over control. However, the supply of hydrogen will not come from either of these two Japanese corporations; instead, it will be delivered through a pipeline from Tokuyama Corporation. Tokuyama obtains this element as a byproduct of sodium hypochlorite and chlorine.
The approach is quite interesting because, as we have seen, two of its main components are derived from other activities. Fuel cells that can no longer be used in cars and hydrogen recovered from an industrial process whose purpose is to obtain other types of products. The project, which has a pilot test status, seeks to determine if the mentioned approach can be widely developed.
We are unaware of the characteristics of the data center, which companies or services will benefit from its operation, as well as the details of the power plant. However, we do know that the project is driven by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan (NEDO) as part of a much more ambitious plan known as “the hydrogen society.”
Japan is one of the most significant actors globally in the development of this alternative energy. The nation presented its national hydrogen plan in 2017 and encouraged various private corporations to invest in this promising element, such as Toyota’s hydrogen cities and Honda’s hydrogen trucks, aiming to establish themselves as an alternative for heavy transportation.
SOURCE: Xataka
Original article in Spanish:
https://www.xataka.com/energia/honda-mitsubishi-saben-que-hacer-pilas-usadas-coches-hidrogeno-ponerlas-centros-datos
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