Idemitsu Kosan, ENEOS and Hokkaido Electric Power started a feasibility study from February 20 on the project to realize the production of green hydrogen of more than 10,000 tons (equivalent roughly to 110 million m3) in the Tomakomai West Area of Hokkaido and to materialize the supply chain developing business for a green hydrogen pipeline to Idemitsu Kosan and adjacent plants by 2030 or around. The business project is aimed to supply green hydrogen produced by renewable energy to Idemitsu Kosan and the adjacent plants in use of pipeline.

As for the role of each company, Hokkaido Electric procures renewable energy and constructs, operates and maintains the facilities for the hydrogen which is generated from the water electrolyzer.
ENEOS will be in charge of designing a water electrolysis plant having a capacity of 100MW or more (hydrogen generation capacity of about 20,000 m3/h) and selecting a hydrogen electrolyzer, which is to be implemented from now.

Idemitsu Kosan will not only supply utilities to the water electrolysis plant and hydrogen storing facilities, but also produce synthetic fuels and synthesized methanol using the hydrogen which is generated by hydrogen electrolyzer. It is also planned to supply hydrogen by pipeline to the scattered plants in the area, and the three parties will propose utilization to such plants aiming at establishing the business.

According to NEDO, with the participation of ENEOS and Hokkaido Electric, the conversion demand from fossil fuel to hydrogen in the area is estimated to be 70,000 t/year (roughly equivalent to 770 million m3).

Deeming that there are applicable demands in power generation, thermal use and mobility fields as well as utilization for processes, they think the development of green hydrogen supply chain will contribute to decarbonation in the area. They will utilize a renewable energy for electricity to produce hydrogen.

While Hokkaido has a high potential of renewable energy like offshore wind power generation, the scale of demand for electricity is small and the power interchange with Honshu is limited. So, it has been an issue to assure adjustability to cope with the effective use of surplus electric power and an output fluctuation.

They are planning to introduce and expand furthermore renewable energies by means of generating hydrogen with water electrolyzer from surplus electric power with adjustability by storing it and donating such an adjustability to the electric power market.