Science View S2016E14 - Production Technology for Hydrogen, The Key to an Ecological Society

Fuel cell vehicles that run on hydrogen entered full-scale production in 2015 and construction of hydrogen stations is progressing across Japan. Behind these developments are various technological innovations including the fuel cells themselves. One is technology that enables the stable extraction of hydrogen from sludge at sewage treatment plants. Digestion gas is generated during the process of reducing sludge and researchers are testing out the extraction of hydrogen from the methane that is included in this gas. If this process goes well, calculations show that it could ensure fuel for approximately 1 million vehicles across Japan. In this program we'll look at production technology for hydrogen, which is essential for an ecological society.