The “H2 Kusatsu Farm” can stably supply hydrogen regardless of the weather by using two methods. The first one is to utilize water electrolysis unit that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water using the power from solar panels. The other is to utilize compact hydrogen production equipment in combination with a gas reforming process with long and accumulated technology from “Ene-Farm”, residential natural-gas type fuel cell.
This system is capable of producing hydrogen to operate approximately two fuel cell forklifts per day and they can be fully charged with approximately 3 minutes. As a result, these forklifts can be efficiently operated with limited time compared to battery-powered forklifts which require longer charging times. Fuel cell forklifts will carry finished products at the “Ene-Farm” factory. Panasonic will accelerate the development of technology for hydrogen production equipment while verifying the stable operability and economic viability of hydrogen energy.