News 2017
Apr 03, 2017
NGK SPARK PLUG CO.,LTD.
Corporate
NGK SPARK PLUG CO. LTD. Starts to Operate a Pressurized Hybrid Power Generation System Consisting of a Cylindrical Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and a Micro Gas Turbine (MGT) in Komaki Factory
Nagoya, April 3, 2016 ―NGK SPARK PLUG CO. LTD. (Chairman, President and CEO: Shinichi Odo, Headquarters: Nagoya, hereafter NGK SPARK PLUG) is pleased to announce that it has installed a pressurized hybrid power generation system (manufactured by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd., hereafter MHPS) consisting of a cylindrical solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a micro gas turbine (MGT). This project is performed as one of the demonstration projects granted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Background
To create our core businesses other than automobile-related business, we have started our 7th mid-term business plan (from FY 2016 to FY 2020) with a theme of New Business Creation as a main business pillar, thus promoting the transformation of our core business structure. In particular, we are focusing on solid-oxide fuels cells (SOFCs) as a new field of products in which our core technologies―ceramic forming, printing, and sintering―are utilized; we are developing both planar and cylindrical SOFCs.
In June 2014, we have proceeded with research and development of cylindrical SOFCs in a business partnership with MHPS toward the mass production of cylindrical cell stacks. We, specifically, aim to combine our own ceramic-related mass-production technology with that for developing, designing, and manufacturing cylindrical cell stacks, cultivated by MHPS through long-term research and development efforts, thus establishing our production system for cylindrical fuel cell stacks and jointly establishing the production technology for future full-scale mass-production of cylindrical fuel cell stacks.
With the installation of this pressurized hybrid power generation system in Komaki Factory, we will verify the operation efficiency, operability, and durability as a co-generation system, develop knowledge such as know-how that facilitates the cost-reduction and mass-production of the cylindrical cell stacks, thus promoting the joint project. The electric power generated and the steam produced by this demonstration equipment will be used to power the production facilities and air-conditioning machines at third plant in Komaki.
In the future, through the demonstration equipment and in cooperation with MHPS, we will further make efforts to put SOFCs―a powerful option that serves to solve energy and environmental problems―into practical use.
Overview of pressure-type combined power generation system
(1) Model name: Hybrid-FC 250
(2) Rated power output (kW): 250 kW-class
(3) Transmission line end efficiency (%-LHV): 55 %
(4) Dimensions: W3.2m * L12.0m * H3.5m
(5) Fuel: City gas (13A)
Note: Base on the results of this demonstration project, we will determine the final specifications.
Fig. 1 Configuration of pressurized hybrid power generation system
Fig. 2 Configuration of cylindrical SOFC cell stack
Appearance of pressurized hybrid power generation system