Cogeneration Market

Demonstration Programs

Japanese Residential Cogeneration Program
Ballard Power Systems, through our joint venture Ebara Ballard Corporation in Japan, is working hand-in-hand with major energy industry leaders such as Tokyo Gas and Nippon Oil, to expand interest and demand for residential cogeneration systems operating on natural gas and kerosene fuels.

Government Support Japan’s Large Scale Monitoring Program for fuel cell cogeneration systems was launched in 2005, as a multi-year activity to test and validate residential cogeneration systems all over Japan. The ongoing goal of this program is to promote the development of a new commercial industry using fuel cell technology to reduce primary energy consumption, improve the environment and offer homeowners a revolutionary new source of distributed energy generation. Since 2005, the Japanese government has provided industry subsidies averaging US$26 million annually to support commercialization of cogeneration technology. Starting with 480 systems delivered in 2005, the program has grown to 1,257 systems in 2006 and will reach a cumulative total of over 2,250 systems by the end of 2007.

As solid evidence of Japan’s commitment to fuel cell technology, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi became “customer number one”, with the installation of two fuel cell cogeneration systems at his official residence in Spring 2005.

By the end of 2007 over 550 Ebara Ballard cogeneration units will be in homes throughout Japan, providing the energy and hot water needs of families on a daily basis.