Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. announced that they will jointly study the development and demonstration of a power generation system integrating fuel cells and H₂ generators using methanol as feedstock. The initiative aims to leverage both companies' strengths to develop H₂ fuel cells for a variety of facilities and regions.

The study will evaluate the feasibility of commercializing a fuel cell system that uses H₂ produced by the methanol-reforming process. The goal is to combine two companies' technologies and expertise to create a fuel cell system that efficiently and cost-effectively generates electricity using methanol-derived H₂. The current study targets to begin the demonstration by March 2027. The envisioned system will use green methanol produced with MGC's Carbopath^TM environmental recycling platform, making it possible to offset CO₂ generated during methanol reforming. The system is expected to serve as a clean energy source for backup power during outages at data centers, factories and other facilities or for power generation system to reduce peak loads. Through these initiatives, FE and MGC will proactively develop markets for practical applications of the system, aiming to deliver clean energy supplies to a variety of regions and facilities.

Carbopath^TM is an environmental recycling platform that generates materials and energy using methanol produced from CO₂ and waste as an alternative to conventional economic activities that consume fossil resources.

H₂ fuel cells are expected to contribute significantly to green transformation (GX) as a clean method of power generation that produces electricity through the chemical reaction of H₂ and oxygen. However, current challenges include costs and commercial readiness of technologies for storing and transporting H₂. Methanol, a type of H₂ carrier, is well-suited for generating H₂ on demand at the point of consumption. Methanol remains a liquid at room temperature and pressure, so it is easy to store and transport, and it can be used with existing infrastructure.