On October 28, 2019, multinational commodity trader company Trafigura, headquartered in Singapore, visited GHEU. Dr. Ken Okazaki and Dr. Manabu Ihara discussed what future hydrogen society should be and exchanged opinions about future collaboration with them.
In front of the EEI Building, Tokyo Tech |
On October 2, 2019, a group of Électricité de France S.A. (EDF) executives visited GHEU to research and exchange opinions on Japan's hydrogen energy. At the EEI building (Environmental Energy Innovation Building), EDF gave an explanation about hydrogen research and development in France. Prof. Ken Okazaki introduced the Tokyo Tech’s research activities and overview of Global Hydrogen Energy Unit (GHEU), as well as the current situation and prospects of Japan's hydrogen society. Prof. Shuichiro Hirai, Prof. Yukitaka Kato and Prof. Akira Yamada gave presentations on the EEI building and researches related to hydrogen. We also discussed the future mutual collaboration.
At the reception Left to right: Mr. Tim Comeau,Commercial Director, CarbonNet Project Dr. Kouji Tokimatsu, Associate Professor, Tokyo Tech Dr. Tetsuya Suekane, Professor, Tokyo Tech Mr. Ian Filby, Project Director, CarbonNet Project Dr. Ken Okazaki, Institute Professor, Tokyo Tech |
On May 8, 2019, the 12th GHEC Workshop was held at Ferrite Memorial Hall, Centennial Hall (Museum), Tokyo Tech. With the theme of "Overview and Domestic/Global Trends on CCS and Application to CO2-Free Hydrogen Production", we invited Mr. Ian Filby, Project Director of CarbonNet Project, State Government of Victoria, Australia as a speaker and he gave a lecture on "CarbonNet – Commercial Scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Gippsland, Victoria". Also, Dr. Makoto Akai, Emeritus Researcher of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science gave a lecture on "Domestic/Global Trends on CCS and Prospects for Implementation". From GHEU, Prof. Tetsuya Suekane presented lecture entitled with "Trapping Mechanism in CCS and its Stability".
International exhibition FC EXPO 2019 (The 15th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) was held for three days from February 27 to March 1, 2019. The beer party was held on Feb. 28. The number of participants has increased year by year from 2015, and this year, over 100 people (more than 2/3 participated from overseas) participated. Unit Leader Dr. Ken Okazaki attended this beer party and actively exchanged opinions with hydrogen officials from various countries.
At the reception Left to right: Dr. Ken Okazaki, Institute Professor, Tokyo Tech Dr. Mao, Zongqiang, Tsinghua University, China Dr. Kazuya Masu, President, Tokyo Tech |
On January 31, 2019, the 4th Global Hydrogen Energy Unit Open Symposium was held at Kuramae Hall, Tokyo Tech Front.
This time, with the theme of "Knowing Hydrogen Energy R&D in China and Trends", we invited Dr. Mao, Zongqiang, Professor, Tsinghua University, China, as a special invited speaker and he shared the actual situation of hydrogen energy R&D in China.
Regarding the situation in Japan, Mr. Masana Ezawa from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry spoke about Japan's challenges and strategies for hydrogen society and the teachers in charge of GHEU reported on hydrogen related research projects.
The symposium has been finished in great success.
(The number of participants: symposium 312, reception: 82)
for more information (in Japanese)
In front of the EEI Building, Tokyo Tech |
On November 22, 2018, a group of 22 entrepreneurs from Groningen province, Netherlands visited GHEU to investigate Japan's hydrogen energy R&D. After brief overview of Tokyo Tech, attendees actively exchanged views on the trends toward realization of hydrogen energy society in Japan and PV related research at Tokyo Tech with Prof. Ken Okazaki, Prof. Manabu Ihara and Prof. Akira Yamada.
Ms. Mamiko Ono, Science & Innovation Manager, Energy & Industrial Technologies Technology, British Embassy Tokyo, visited GHEU on September 13, 2018. She and Prof. Ken Okazaki discussed the possible collaboration between H2FC SUPERGEN, a hub of hydrogen-related industry-government-academia network in the United Kingdom, and GHEU.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) hosted HYPOTHESIS XIII 2018 in Singapore from July 24 to 27. Ken Okazaki, the Institute Professor of Tokyo Tech’s Global Hydrogen Energy Unit, attended this conference and gave a keynote speech titled “Pushing towards Japan's Future Hydrogen Society“.
On June 1, 2018, Reuters reporter Ms. Naomi Tajitsu visited GHEU. She asked about the widespread utilization of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure, Prof. Ken Okazaki, the leader of this unit, explained the necessity of realization of hydrogen society that uses hydrogen as energy to support the industrial base beyond FCV use.
On April 27, 2018, Tokyo Tech hosted Prof. Yves Brechet, High Comissioner, CEA and Dr. Laurent Antoni, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Manager, CEA/LITEN, France. They were welcomed by President Kazuya Masu, Executive Vice President for Research Osamu Watanabe, Institute Professor Ken Okazaki (GHEU) and Dr. Manabu Ihara (GHEU). After that, the group visited EEI (Environmental Energy Innovation Building) with Dr. Shuichiro Hirai and Akira Yamada from GHEU and presented their own research each other and exchanged opinions about possible collaboration.
On April 27, 2018, Ms. Alessia Cerantola, a reporter of Report, RAI 3, Italia visited Dr. Ken Okazaki and interviewed about fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen energy. Dr. Okazaki explained about the development of hydrogen utilization technology in Japan and abroad, etc.
International exhibition FC EXPO 2018 (The 14th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) was held for three days from February 28 to March 2, 2018. A beer party was held on March 1st. The number of participants has increased year by year from 2015, and this year, 90 people (more than 2/3 participated from overseas) participated. Unit Leader Dr. Ken Okazaki attended this beer party and actively exchanged opinions with hydrogen officials from various countries.
At beer party (FC EXPO 2018) (Mar. 01, 2018 Al Porto Tokyo Big Sight) |
Mr. Boldbaatar Tserenpuntsag, Chairman of Newcom Group (second from the left) At Tokyo Tech Front (Dec. 13, 2017) Left to right: Prof. Ihara, Mr. Boldbaatar, Inst. Prof. Okazaki, Mr. Honbo and Mr. Misao from Tokyo Tech Alumni Association |
Mr. Boldbaatar Tserenpuntsag, Chairman of Newcom Group visited GHEU on Dec. 13, 2017. He met Institute Professor Ken Okazaki and Professor Manabu Ihara from GHEU.
Newcom is a Mongolian clean technology and infrastructure investor committed to bringing global expertise and innovation to Mongolia. Mr. Boldbaatar Tserenpuntsag promotes the cooperation with Mr. Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of Softbank Group on the “Asian Super Grid Initiative”.
In the meeting, Institute Professor Ken Okazaki and Professor Manabu Ihara explained him GHEU’s recent research and technological trends towards establishing hydrogen society in Japan.
Following the success of two joint workshops host by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and Tokyo Tech in February and November 2016 respectively, researchers from both institutions gathered at NTU from September 11 to 12, 2017 for another forum aiming to strengthen collaborative ties.
Institute Professor Ken Okazaki and Professor Manabu Ihara from GHEU visited NTU and discussed on concrete implementation plan for future co-research.
(for more information)
On August 28, 2017, GHEU welcomed Dr. Zeynep Kurban, H2FC SUPERGEN, United Kingdom and shared information with out unit leader Dr. Ken Okazaki. Dr. Kurban researches about hydrogen related technologies at Energy Future Lab, Iperial College london, United Kingdom.
On July 13, 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan hosted "International Symposium: Energy Security and Investment in Asia" at Mita Conference Hall, Tokyo.
Akira Yamada, Professor of Tokyo Tech’s Global Hydrogen Energy Unit, attended this Symposium. In the breakout session, “Energy Investment and energy transition in Asia,” the discussion about roles of advanced energy technology and energy investment and challenges towards realization of low-carbon society with examples in Asia region was held. In this session, Prof. Yamada made a speech titled “Advanced research of renewable and hydrogen technology for energy transition”, presenting recent research by GHEU. (for more information)
The Department of Energy, USA (DOE) hosted U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program 2017 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting from June 5 to 9, 2017. Ken Okazaki, the Institute Professor of Tokyo Tech’s Global Hydrogen Energy Unit, attended this meeting and discussed the possibility of future collaboration with Dr. Sunita Satyapal, the Director of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE.
Dr. Shuichiro Hirai and Institute Professor Ken Okazaki from GHEU welcomed Mr. Par Teike, CEO of Cell Impact, Swden for opinion exchange on May 9, 2017.
On May 6, 2017, Vice President of TOTAL, France, Dr. Philippe A. Tanguy visited GHEU. Our unit leader Dr. Ken Okazaki and Dr Manabu Ihara discussed about R&D of hydrogen related technologies with him.
Asian Conference on Thermal Science 2017 (1st ACTS) was held from March 26 to 30, 2017 in Jeju Island, South Korea. Ken Okazaki, the Institute Professor of Tokyo Tech’ s Global Hydrogen Energy Unit, attended the conference as a member of Honorary Advisory Boards of Asian Union of Thermal Sciences and Engineering (AUTSE) and discussed on the theme about activation of thermal engineering in Asian region.
At NTU’s campus |
GHEU members visited Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) on March 17, 2017 to share current research situation and discuss future cooperation plan with NTU’s Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Group and Photovoltaic & P2G Group, which are the leading world-class research in this area.
GHEC hosted the 5th GHEC Workshop at Tokyo Tech’s Ookayama Campus on March 3, 2017, along with the FC EXPO 2017 (13th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo) which was held in Tokyo from March 1 to 3, 2017.
Dr. Sunita Satyapal, the Director of the Fuel Cell Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy, USA (DOE), shared an overview and future strategy of her organization's research activities in the area of fuel cell technology.
Then, Institute Professor Ken Okazaki and Professor Manabu Ihara of Tokyo Tech’s Global Hydrogen Energy Unit presented current development on the hydrogen energy research. (refer to here (Japanese))
At the informal meeting after workshop |
At beer party (FC ECPO 2017) |
Tokyo Tech hosted a second joint workshop with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) on November 17 and 18, 2016.
Parallel breakout sessions on research in six fields were conducted at four venues in the Ookayama campus on the afternoon of the workshop's first day.
In the hydrogen energy session, Professor Chen of NTU, Institute Professor Ken Okazaki, Professor Manabu Ihara, Professor Akira Yamada and Professor Ichiro Yamanaka of Tokyo Tech's Global Hydrogen Energy Unit lectured. And session members discussed possible collaborative projects in the areas of solar cell and fuel cell research. (for more information)
Group photo |
Institute Professor Ken Okazaki |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and Tokyo Tech held a joint workshop at NTU's Nanyang Executive Centre in Singapore from February 29 to March 1, 2016 to explore areas for further academic collaboration.
Institute Professor Ken Okazaki, head of the Global Hydrogen Energy Unit at Tokyo Tech's Solutions Research Laboratory (current Institute of Innovative Research), gave the joint workshop's first keynote presentation. He highlighted the recent progress in hydrogen energy research, especially the commercialization of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and development of stationary fuel cell systems. Okazaki captured the audience's attention by discussing the global carbon-free hydrogen supply chain project that utilizes overseas resources such as brown coal from Australia, which can be liquefied and transported to Japan. (for more information)