Recently, Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan and Kobe Steel jointly announced that the world’s first next-generation hydrogen-fueled power generation system for hydrogen-based power generation had officially commenced operation. The system features a liquid hydrogen energy supply model and is designed to provide stable power for future large gas turbine generators, filling the global technological gap in direct liquid hydrogen supply for power generation. The newly commissioned system was developed under the NEDO-funded project in Japan, “Development of Technologies to Improve Hydrogen-Fueled Power Generation Efficiency and Performance Under the Hydrogen CGS Regional Model,” and was deployed at the Kobe Hydrogen Energy Center on Port Island in Kobe. It is the world’s first hydrogen supply power generation system to adopt an intermediate fluid vaporizer (IFV) for hydrogen together with a liquid hydrogen pump , enabling liquid hydrogen to be pressurized above critical pressure and directly supplying hydrogen fuel to power plants in a stable manner. The project had a clear division of responsibilities: Kawasaki Heavy Industries was responsible for optimizing the liquid hydrogen pressurization fuel supply system for gas turbine generators, while Kobe Steel focused on the R&D of IFV equipment utilizing the cold energy of liquid hydrogen. At present, demonstration tests have successfully delivered hydrogen fuel to a wet gas turbine, and subsequent hydrogen supply tests for a dry gas turbine will be carried out, with a focus on verifying operating performance under high summer temperature conditions as well as the long-term operational reliability of the liquid hydrogen pump.

Japan installed an estimated 5.8 to 6 GW of solar in 2025, pushing its cumulative capacity past 100 GW. According to RTS Corp, growth was driven by C&I power purchase agreements and new-build rooftop solar mandates in Tokyo and Kawasaki. Installations in 2026 are expected to remain steady, with a potential market rush before FiT/FiP subsidies for >10 kW systems end in FY2027. Long-term, Japan aims for solar to be its largest power source by 2040 (targeting up to 280 GW) and is actively subsidizing perovskite technology to hit a 20 GW target.

At the recently opened 2025 Tokyo Auto Show, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) unveiled the world's first liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck equipped with a 260kW large-power fuel cell system. Hailed as a "new benchmark for zero-emission heavy-duty trucks," this car model became the focus of the auto show thanks to its forward-looking liquid hydrogen technology and high-performance fuel cell system, marking a new stage in Japan's commercial vehicle hydrogen transition. Liquid Hydrogen Technology Breakthrough Solves Heavy-Duty Truck Range and Space Challenges The liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck launched by Mitsubishi Fuso adopts an ultra-low temperature liquid hydrogen storage and supply system. Compared to gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen offers higher energy density and smaller hydrogen storage can body volume, providing greater flexibility for vehicle design and cargo space optimization, making it particularly suitable for high-frequency, high-load scenarios such as long-distance trunk logistics and heavy transport. In terms of performance, the model requires only 15 minutes to refill 80kg of liquid hydrogen and achieves a driving range exceeding 1,200 kilometers, completely breaking the "range anxiety" barrier for new energy heavy-duty trucks. Yihuatong's 260kW System as the Core, Technical Strength Gains International Recognition As the "heart" of the vehicle, the latest 260kW liquid hydrogen version fuel cell system provided by Yihuatong is key to this technological breakthrough. The system, developed based on Yihuatong's independent graphite plate fuel cell stack, achieves a hydrogen supply pressure as low as 5 bar and a high-performance power output of 260kW, balancing high integration in a single system with low hydrogen consumption. Its power can cover the power demands of heavy-duty trucks in all scenarios and conditions, including climbing, overtaking, high altitude, and high load, providing a reliable technical pathway for zero-emission hydrogen heavy-duty trucks in the Japanese market. Yihuatong Sales Director Roger and Senior Overseas Business Manager Louis were invited to the show to witness this achievement. Sino-Japanese Cooperation Deepens, Global Hydrogen Industry Collaboration Accelerates As an important brand under the Daimler Truck Group, Mitsubishi Fuso's choice to cooperate with Yihuatong not only reflects recognition of its large-power fuel cell system technical strength but also releases a positive signal of deepening cooperation in the Sino-Japanese hydrogen industry. At this Tokyo Auto Show, mainstream Japanese automakers such as Hino, Isuzu, Honda, Toyota, and Kawasaki also released hydrogen fuel cell-related commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and two-wheelers, confirming Japan's firm belief in the hydrogen fuel cell technology pathway. The launch of Mitsubishi Fuso's liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck is a microcosm of global hydrogen industry collaborative development. Following the Australian and Japanese markets, Yihuatong will uphold the philosophy of "Made in China, loved by the World," continuously promote the development of fuel cell system overseas markets, and, through the deep integration of high-quality Chinese products with international vehicle manufacturers, jointly accelerate the global hydrogen industry's commercialization process.