Japan’s First Commercial Use of Electricity Generated with Hydrogen-Fired Zero-Emissions Thermal ーJERA Begins Supplying Hydrogen-Generated Power to Toho Studiosー2024/11/29
Toho Co., Ltd. (“Toho”) and JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”), pursuing efforts aimed at eliminating CO2 emissions from electricity consumed at Toho Studios, Japan’s largest movie studio, hereby announce that JERA has today, through its subsidiary JERA Cross, begun supplying hydrogen-generated power to Toho Studios.
This is Japan’s first commercial use of electricity generated with hydrogen-fired zero-emissions thermal (as of today, according to research by JERA).
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
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Equipment |
Specifications |
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Hydrogen receiving and supply equipment (tanker trucks) |
Capacity: 3,000Nm3/vehicle x 4 |
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Hydrogen generator (gas engine) |
Generating capacity/unit: 320kW x 1 |
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Hydrogen generator (fuel cell) |
Generating capacity/unit: 35kW x 2 |
Toho, which operates in the entertainment sector centered on cinema, and JERA, which drives pioneering efforts to eliminate CO2 emissions from the energy sector, have been pursuing initiatives to achieve 24/7 carbon-free energy1 starting in fiscal 2024 as part of their efforts to eliminate CO2 emissions from power consumption at Toho Studios. (16 June 2023 press release).
JERA has been moving forward with construction of an on-site hydrogen power generation facility at Sodegaura Thermal Power Station (Sodegaura City, Chiba). With the recent conclusion of construction and test operation, JERA Cross has begun supplying off-site electricity to Toho Studios, where commercial use of electricity generated with hydrogen-fired zero-emissions thermal began today. In addition to hydrogen power generation, Toho Studios has also introduced electricity sourced from JERA solar power generation facilities and, going forward, aims to supply all its electricity needs with 24/7 carbon-free energy.
Toho and JERA will draw up a roadmap for eliminating CO2 emissions from power consumption at Toho Studios and, by reducing CO2 emissions through the phased adoption of carbon-free energy leading ultimately to 24/7 carbon-free energy, open new possibilities for a sustainable global environment.
The current initiative continues efforts by the two companies to achieve a sustainable society.
Comment by Hiro MATSUOKA, President and CEO, Toho Co., Ltd.
In cooperation with JERA, Toho Studios has successfully launched an initiative to use carbon-free energy that leverages cutting-edge technology.
We believe achieving carbon-free film and video production that takes the global environment into account is one of our social responsibilities as an entertainment company.
Going forward, we will continue to drive the decarbonization of our industry with the ultimate goal to produce our films and creative content using clean, 24/7 zero-emissions energy as we work to inspire our customers around the world.
Comment by Yukio KANI, Global CEO and Chair, JERA Co., Ltd.
We are delighted to mark the first commercial use of hydrogen-fired zero-emissions thermal power generation in Japan, and grateful to Toho for providing us with the opportunity. Toho’s effort to achieve film and video production using 100% carbon-free energy is a groundbreaking project for decarbonization of the entertainment industry. To achieve this goal, in addition to zero-emissions thermal power, JERA also aims to provide 24/7 carbon-free energy by combining renewable energy with the latest digital technology.
In this initiative, diverse teams are engaging in open debate to challenge new value creation together with Toho, making it a project that encapsulates the JERA mission. We will continue to provide cutting-edge solutions to the world’s energy issues.
1 “24/7carbon-free energy” is a name for electricity that emits no CO2 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In accordance with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry's "Guidelines for Retail Sales of Electricity," this means 100% of the electricity supplied is derived from zero-CO2 emission sources together with the environmental value derived from the use of non-fossil certificates.
Image of power supply ratio and CO2 reduction at Toho Studios
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
About Toho Co., Ltd.
An entertainment company inspiring customers around the world through four business domains: cinema, theater, real estate, and animation. Under its sustainability policy, the company aims to contribute, with “vivacity, modesty, fairness, and grace,” to helping achieve, through its provision of entertainment, a society in which everyone can be happy and fulfilled.
https://www.toho.co.jp/en/company
About JERA Co., Inc.
JERA is a global energy company established by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Chubu Electric Power Company in April 2015. It is Japan’s largest power generator, with roughly 60 million kW of domestic power generation assets that supply approximately 30% of the country’s electricity. In addition, it has roughly 10 million kW of power generation assets overseas. In October 2020, the company announced JERA Zero CO2 Emissions 2050, its objective of eliminating CO2 emissions from its domestic and overseas business by 2050. In addition to expanding renewable energy, the company is also working to develop “zero-emissions thermal” that emits no CO2 during power generation.
https://www.jera.co.jp/en/
About Toho Studios:
Since its founding in 1932, Toho Studios has produced masterworks of Japanese cinema such as Blue Mountain Range, Station, and films by director Akira Kurosawa such as Seven Samurai while also creating popular hits such as Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One and the rest of the Godzilla series. Japan’s largest movie production site, Toho Studios offers an integrated work environment for preparing, shooting, and finalizing all manner of moving images including television shows and commercials.
https://www.tohostudio.jp/en/
