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Toyota Developed A New Equipment Capable Of Storing Green Hydrogen And That Can Be Transported With Greater Ease. The Prototype Can Also Supply Homes, Going Beyond Electric Cars
The Japanese automaker, Toyota, is presenting a functional prototype of a portable cartridge that can be loaded with green hydrogen. The automaker, along with its subsidiary Woven Planet, developed in January of last year, plans to promote the use of this way of storing energy in various daily activities, both industrial and residential, that is, going well beyond hybrid vehicles or the fuel cell. It is important to emphasize that the company is a strong supporter of this fuel, managing to break records with its hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Toyota’s Portable Cartridges Can Be Taken Anywhere
Specifically, the cartridges are cylinders with a length of 400 mm and a diameter of 180 mm, with a target weight of 5 kg when full. It is possible to transport about 3.3 kWh of usable energy through the devices, according to the automaker itself. This number can vary greatly depending on the efficiency of the external fuel cell used to convert the hydrogen back into energy.
To further contribute to the mobility of the equipment, the cartridges feature small handles on their upper part, which were directly designed into the structure. The handles fit and lock in the proper location where the hydrogen energy will be used.
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Toyota states that several types of cartridges will be considered in the future based on additional usage research over the next few years. Thus, the cartridges can be used as interchangeable hydrogen batteries for cars, drones, or electric motorcycles.
Toyota Cartridge Can Be Used In Homes, Vehicles, Electronics, And Much More
The usage extends when the device is connected to the walls of houses that are not connected to an electrical power grid. This connection allows the green hydrogen cartridge to provide electricity to the entire residential structure through a fuel cell.
It is also possible to exemplify the use of the new equipment to power heaters, electrical appliances, lighting, and various other devices, all based on a small fuel cell on top. It’s like having and being able to carry around a large battery, where it’s possible to easily replace a depleted cylinder with a fully charged one.
In an official note, Toyota and its subsidiary, Woven Planet, will conduct Proof of Concept tests in various regions, including Woven City, the smart city focused on humans.
The company’s venture launched in February of last year is considered a living lab that allows for continuous real-world testing of new technologies, being built in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Xiaomi Launches Similar Technology For Electric Motorcycles
With the announcement of these green hydrogen cartridges, it is impossible not to remember the electric motorcycle announced by Xiaomi last year.
The Segway Apex H2 model is a hybrid motorcycle, which is actually an evolution of another prototype presented three years ago by the Chinese company, which at the time introduced a significant novelty: The hydrogen system. The model is equipped with an 80-horsepower engine, where the consumption is 1 gram of hydrogen per kilometer traveled.
The vehicle, however, does not have an electric plug, and it is at this point that Toyota’s product comes in. The Xiaomi electric motorcycle is recharged when a cylindrical hydrogen cartridge is filled, and it is also possible to swap it for another full one.
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