A heat supply company in central Tokyo begins full-scale operation of the first commercially available hydrogen heat source facility utilizing green hydrogen.

 

Akasaka Thermal Supply Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Morimasa Takagi) held a "Commemorative Ceremony for the Start of Operation of Hydrogen Heat Source Equipment" on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, hosted by the TBS Group.

 

Our company supplies heating, cooling, and electricity to various buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome area of ​​Minato-ku, Tokyo. In updating our heat source equipment, we have introduced hydrogen utilization equipment that prioritizes safety, considering the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy source. Full-scale operation will begin in May 2026. This facility is the first of its kind in Tokyo, where a private heat supply company will accept, store, and utilize green hydrogen for commercial purposes, including power generation using fuel cells and heat supply using hydrogen co-firing boilers.

 

First, Ryujiro Abe, President and CEO of TBS Holdings, expressed his strong enthusiasm and gratitude for the start of full-scale operation, stating, "The full-scale operation of facilities utilizing green hydrogen is a major step towards decarbonizing urban infrastructure and demonstrates to society the potential of new social infrastructure from Akasaka. Going forward, we will continue to accumulate knowledge while thoroughly ensuring safety and stable supply, and continue to communicate with society through the GX initiative. We would like to express our sincere gratitude once again for your support.

 

Next, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike spoke about the importance of this full-scale operation, saying, "Hydrogen is one way to ensure a stable energy supply and to decarbonize. Now, more than ever, with the unstable supply of fossil fuels, hydrogen is attracting more attention than ever as a game-changer that can turn a crisis into an opportunity. As a metropolitan government, we are implementing various initiatives to realize a hydrogen society under the three keywords of <producing>, <transporting>, and <using>. 

 

This hydrogen heat source facility is the first initiative to make full use of green hydrogen in the heart of Tokyo, and the metropolitan government has provided support for its introduction.

 

Furthermore, the green hydrogen that will be used will be that was successfully bid on in a trial transaction conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in a market format. I believe this is an extremely important initiative for expanding the demand for green hydrogen in Tokyo in the future. Let us take today as an opportunity to further accelerate our steps toward realizing a clean and safe hydrogen society together with all of you."

 

 

 

 

At the ceremony, attendees were shown the "hydrogen storage alloys" that are packed into the hydrogen tanks at the plant and allow for the safe storage of hydrogen at low pressure.

 

Following this, a live broadcast connected the venue to a hydrogen plant located in the Akasaka 5-chome area, showcasing a safe hydrogen utilization facility that generates electricity and steam (thermal energy) from green hydrogen. 

 

 

 

 

 

The pure hydrogen fuel cell is a device that generates electricity directly from hydrogen and does not emit CO₂ during power generation. It is used for air conditioning, lighting, and power supply within the plant premises, and in emergencies, it can operate independently to secure power for the plant operators.

 

The hydrogen generated from the hydrogen tank is sent through piping within the facility to a hydrogen co-fired once-through boiler, where it generates steam (thermal energy) using a fuel mixture of hydrogen and city gas.

 

Under rated operation, it is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 21% per boiler compared to a city gas-fired boiler. (*The reduction effect will vary depending on the operating conditions.) The green hydrogen used in the facility is regularly transported from Yamanashi Prefecture. The introduction of this facility was supported by a subsidy from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

 

 

 

 

 

Akasaka Thermal Supply Co., Ltd. President and CEO, Morimasa Takagi, commented on the full-scale operation, saying, "I am overwhelmed with emotion. We started planning this three years ago, and there have been many things that have happened to get to this point, so I am moved to tears." He added, "This year, Akasaka Thermal Supply participated in the 'Tokyo Hydrogen Supply System Study Council, Including Pipelines.' My biggest dream and daily motivation is to see a hydrogen pipeline run through the Akasaka area in the future, and to see TBS's GX further evolve." He expressed his passionate desire for further utilization of hydrogen in the future.

 

Akasaka Thermal Supply Co., Ltd.

Akasaka Thermal Supply Co., Ltd. provides a stable supply of chilled water, steam, and electricity to buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato-ku, Tokyo, including the TBS Broadcasting Center, using energy produced by two underground plants. We have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place to ensure that business and daily life can continue without interruption even in the event of a large-scale disaster. Recognizing the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy source and contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society, we are committed to introducing safe and reliable hydrogen utilization equipment to support local communities and contribute to society.

 

Source:  FCW Team