The Nippon Foundation – released
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network.
Pioneering Zero-Emissions Hydrogen Fuel-Cell-Powered Ship Successfully Tested in Japan
A consortium of Japanese firms has successfully demonstrated the first-ever zero-emissions ship above 20 gross tons.
Sailing 30 kilometers between the Port of Kokura and the Shirashima Offshore Wind Farm, the HANARIA was powered entirely by hydrogen fuel cells.
An island nation, 10.25 million tons of carbon emissions from Japan’s transportation sector came from coastal shipping and transport. In 2015, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga outlined carbon neutrality by 2050 as a major component of Japan’s development strategy, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, and significant steps must be taken to achieve that.
The Nippon Foundation, a research and development fund dedicated to passing the riches of the sea intact to future generations, worked in tandem with manufacturers and shipping operators to develop a suite of hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessels for use in shipping and coastal transport.
Hydrogen is manufactured by using an electrical current to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The pure hydrogen can then be used as a substitute for heavy engine fuels like diesel and kerosene in a fuel-cell vehicle. If the hydrogen is manufactured with green energy, it’s known as ‘green hydrogen.’
A passenger ship, HANARIA spans 108 feet (33 meters), weighs 248 gross tons, and is equipped with a hydrogen fuel system. She is expected to transport personnel to the offshore wind farm and conduct site tours.
During the demonstration, she registered zero CO2 emissions using hydrogen fuel from her departure to her arrival and return.
“The realization of a hydrogen society requires not only technological development but also city and social design, and we look forward to moving ahead with all parties involved,” said the project’s chief leader, Yoshihiko Hamamura, who also holds a post at the Toyota Motor Corporation’s Hydrogen Factory which supplied the hydrogen tanks for HANARIA.
The Nippon Foundation has been carrying out the Zero Emission Ships Project since January 2022. The project plans to test two other vessels by the end of fiscal year 2026, including a yacht and a hydrogen-powered tanker.
The executive director of the Nippon Foundation, Mitsuyuki Unno, said that they hope to help Japan lead the world to zero-emissions shipping.
The good news in this story is that real advancements are being made with hydrogen-fueled vehicles. Today’s JohnKu talks about technology advances. I hope you have a great weekend.
Technology by John W. Howell © 2024
Every day, there’s more,
Great minds working to advance . . .
Stewardship of Earth.
Fiction Favorites 
Seems like a great plan, John. I hope it catches on.
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I do too, GP. Might be a better long term solution than electric vehicles.
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Saw an article earlier this week about a hydrogen-fueled car having a successful test. Only issue that was brought up is the same as with EV’s. We need a widespread infrastructure to support these advancements. Otherwise, we won’t be able to go very far like we used to. With that in mind, it is nice to see more EV charging stations popping up around here.
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The hydrogen fuel cells don’t need all the minerals that the electric cells do. This would be significantly better for the environment.
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True. Though I wonder how we can refuel/recharge them. For example, driving 6-7 hours to get upstate for me. Would I be able to go there, drive around, and back on one cell?
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my understanding is they are refilled like a gasoline car.
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So they would just need hydrogen stations.
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Pretty much
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That’s a lot to accomplish since 2022. The year they started surprised me. I thought this might be the result of decades of effort. It sounds strange they want to build a zero emissions tanker. Maybe it’s a tanker for shipping honey or Voodoo Ranger.
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I like the VooDoo idea. It does seem strange to have zero emissions haul 100% carbon.
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What a wonderful step forward! Thank you for sharing this, John. “Stewardship of the earth” is something we all need to embrace. Well done. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I think after all the rhetoric dies down, science will be the answer.
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This is the future, John, and it needs to come quickly. I must say, the latest adventures of the Puma and Panther are my good news for the week, too!
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Oh, thank you, Noelle. 😁
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That’s a good idea, to use hydrogen fuel cells for electrical power for vehicles. The first fuel cells were invented by Sir William Grove in 1838.
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Great info, Tim. I just fell into the rabbit hole that was your link. Fascinating reading.
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I was just talking about hydrogen fuel. Yes, it’s good news that we keep pushing forward.
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I agree. Thanks Denise.
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This sounds just AMAZING! We hope zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell-powered vehicles of all stripes become more integrated into life. Stories like this give me quite a feel good feeling. I hope I live long enough to see them implemented across the board. We simply cannot sustain our planet using fossil fuels. The operative word here is fossil as in…beyond outdated!
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Sadly the batteries for Electric vehicles are really carbon intensive. I hope the hydrogen fuel cell can make a difference.
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Good point, but we definitely need to transition to something that didn’t come from a fossil.
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Yup
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Good news indeed! Thanks for passing it along, John.
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Always a pleasure.
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Wow, this is an impressive development. Just think if the technology can be applied to those big cargo ships!
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That would be something, Liz.
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This is so exciting!
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It is for sure, Annette. 😊
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Sounds impressive and practical! Good news for Earth as your JohnKu reflects. TGIF to you! Cheers!
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Thank you, Jo. It does sound like it is doable. Let’s hope so.
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These are the things that keep me optimistic. Thanks John.
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Me too. Thanks, Dan
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I had read about this, it’s a really big deal and a game changer for sure.
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Yes. Helping the environment without the heavy mining for minerals part..
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How beautiful and optimism prevails. thanks for sharing, John❤️
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It is beautiful. Thank you, Cindy.
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Your JohnKu says it all. I hope one or more of my children who are fascinated with robots will be among the cast of great minds working to advance, and being stewardship of Earth.
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That would be swell, Jennie.
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Yes, indeed!
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This is fantastic news, John.
Wouldn’t this have been a more intelligent thing to push instead of electric cars? Probably only a question of time.
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I think so. Electric cars cause more carbon emissions in the making of the battery.
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So encouraging from these stewards of the earth!
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i agree. 😊
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