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3. Task3 Review and Investigation for International Cooperation 3.1 R&D Goals This research is a part of "International Clean Energy Network Using Hydrogen Conversion (WE-NET) Project", which started in 1993 under a comission from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The research intends to clarify the partnership with other countries concerned and international exchange of technical information in order to develop the WE-NET project into a true international joint project. In the first phase, we carried out activities to develop international understanding of the WE-NET and promote exchange of information with other organizations. At the same time, we extracted subjects required to promote international cooperation for the WE-NET project by researching similar project trends in countries concerned, studies in research institutes around the world, and development plans for hydrogen energy in major countries. As a wrap-up of these surveys, we established the "Longterm Vision for International Cooperation" in 1996. We have been continuing efforts to realize the vision. In this year, the first year of the second phase, we will highlight information exchange of demonstration technology. To realize the longterm vision, we will take following measures. 3.2 Results in FY 1999 3.2.1 Promotion of International Research Cooperation WE-NET is a project based on international cooperation. It is essential that the whole concept of the WE-NET project be understood broadly and correctly by organizations and pertinent people abroad. In view of international cooperation in the future, it is necessary to clarify how the WE-NET will be able to contribute to hydrogen projects abroad. To this end, the following activities were carried out. (1) Presentations at international conferences To develop understanding of the WE-NET project, we gave presentations of the WE-NET activities at the following international conferences: <1>The 5th Korea-Japan Hydrogen Energy Joint Symposium (2) Research cooperation in the International Energy Agency (IEA) <1>Corresponding Committee to Hydrogen Implementation Agreement After the Hydrogen Implementation Committee, information transfer to the experts and information exchange are conducted. <2>Dispatching Experts to Each Annex Activity in IEA We dispatched experts to the various annex meetings and promoted the IEA development activities. Now 8 experts are attending on 4 annexes. (3) Distribution of WE-NET Results WE-NET is a global project and then it is necessary to conduct our research and development according to the development tendency in the world and to have information exchange. We distributed the English version of the 1998 Annual Summary Report to approximately 170 pertinent organizations overseas, who are listed as our regular partners for information sauce. We could contribute to the worldwide development activities about hydrogen and also we could establish the system to get many kinds of worldwide information from researching institutes, universities and so on. 3.2.2 International Exchange of Technical Information To develop the WE-NET to an international joint research based on the international cooperation, it is essential to exchange information regularly with pertinent organizations while seeking for close cooperation with other countries. As measures to promote information exchange, we carried out following activities. (1) Overseas Survey Each WE-NET task conducted oversea researches in Europe, USA, Korea and Australia and had information exchange with organizations such as DOE, NHA, CHA. (2) Survey on Hydrogen Project in EC Research on European hydrogen projects was delegated to German L-B- Systemtechnik GmbH. The projects in European countries are so active that about 70 projects are budgeted and the total budget amounts to 381 million Euro. (3) Preparation for International Conferences held in 2000 We will take part in international conferences actively to get full understanding of WE-NET and collect information from overseas organizations. Particularly, we prepared for following conferences. <1>HYFORUM2000 held in Munich, Germany in September 2000. (4) Update of WE-NET Web Site WE-NET Web Site opened in 1998 was about research and development in PhaseI. It is necessary to update information to PhaseII that started this year. (5) Video Production on Hydrogen Safety It is required to be known extensively that hydrogen is safe in order to establish a hydrogen society. We participated in Hydrogen 2000's work of an educational video production for hydrogen safety with DOE. Actually we added our WE-NET safety activities into the scenario. The safety video will be completed next year. 3.2.3 Basic Research on Standardization of Hydrogen Energy Technologies Between fiscal 1994 and 1996, research and development trends were studied in fields pertaining to hydrogen production, storage, transport, application, measurement, safety and related materials; relevant standards and regulations were identified; and requirements and problem issues affecting standardization were elicited. In fiscal 1997, the scope of study was narrowed down to the most fundamental sector of liquid hydrogen storage, transport and handling. Specifically, the focus of investigation centered on "soft aspects", aiming at comparative study of domestic and overseas standards and regulations, and identifying pertinent differences and problem issues among them. Subsequently in fiscal 1998, the study focus was turned to a specific theme directly related to the hydrogen fueling station concept planned under the WE-NET Phase II research and development, i.e. "study pertaining to the handling of hydrogen gas at the hydrogen refueling station for vehicles." In fiscal 1999, guidelines about legislation and rules in Japan were compiled based on referring to the "Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications" which was prepared in the United States and Canada. This was done in agreement with the wishes of the IEA Executive Committee to add related data from Japan to the said sourcebook. The resulting legislation, rules and guidelines for use in Japan are composed as follows. The Japanese laws and regulations applicable to hydrogen include the High Pressure Gas Safety Law, Fire Service Law, Industrial Safety and Health Law, Building Standard Law, and Law on Prevention of Disasters in Petroleum Industrial Complexes and Other Petroleum Facilities, as well as those for hydrogen transportation, including the Road Vehicles Act, Road Traffic Law and Harbor Regulation Law. Related legislation was compiled under the following seven headings: 1) pressure containers, 2) gas facilities, 3) costs, 4) transportation, 5) explosion proofing of motors, 6) list of laws, and 7)related documents. This research covers basic contents for handling hydrogen gas in Japan, but it is hoped that the findings will be utilized as international data through being added to the U.S./Canada Sourcebook for Hydrogen Applications. 3.2.4 ISO/TC197 ISO/TC197 was established in November 1989 with the aim of achieving standardization of the system and equipment pertaining to the production, storage, transportation, measurement and utilization of hydrogen for energy purposes. The secretariat is located in Canada, and Dr. T. K. Bose serves as the chairman. Concerning progress in this fiscal year, WG2 (Tank containers for multimodal transportation of liquid hydrogen) did not move forward due to differences in burst test pressure in each country, and no major progress was made in either WG4 (Hydrogen airport fueling facility) or WG5 (Gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen blends - service stations; Gaseous hydrogen - land vehicle fueling connectors). Meanwhile, concerning WG6 (Gaseous hydrogen - vehicle fuel tanks) and WG7 (Basic requirements for the safety of hydrogen systems), preparation of draft standards continued to be vigorously advanced based around each convenor. The ISO/TC197 plenary meeting and WGs were convened in Vienna, United States during April 6-8, 1999 including participation by two experts from Japan. During the session, the progress status report, study content, future schedule for new draft standard items, etc. of each WG were reviewed and discussed. The results of this deliberation are set out in the main text. Study requests regarding draft standards from outside groups concerned with hydrogen other than ISO/TC197 were examined and addressed via a domestic WG. Table 3.2.4-1 shows the experts, titles and current conditions for each working group (WG) in ISO/TC197.3.3 Research Plan for FY2000 The understanding about the basic concept of WE-NET is gradually extended all over the world. However the hydrogen technology is now on the demonstration stage and it is not enough only to promote the international exchange of technical information. From now it is necessary to dispatch the information about standards to home and foreign countries to promote the international standardization about actual hardware development.
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