Japan has always been known for being ingenious when it comes to new inventions and technology. Back when Tokyo hosted the 1964 Olympic games, they already impressed with the Shinkansen high-speed train. And while hosting the latest 2020 games, they managed to dazzle the world once again through their use of impressive futuristic civic planning.
Despite the pandemic caused by the everchanging COVID-19 virus and the backlash the country received because of their decision to push through with the biggest sporting event in the world, Tokyo managed to amaze the world once more, this time with the very first hydrogen-powered Olympics. This included two hydrogen-powered stadiums, an entire fleet of hydrogen fuel-cell cars, the Olympic village and even a hotel.
Unlike hydro-electric power, hydrogen power is being targeted as the future renewable energy source. Because it’s the most copious element in the world, hydrogen fuel-cells do not produce any other emissions aside from water, which can be later on used for irrigation in agriculture or watering land and gardens.
But just like other types of renewable technology, hydrogen power also has its own
Issues when it comes to its use and the growth of this technology. Thankfully, the Japanese government worked hand in hand with Tokyo’s Research Center for a Hydrogen Energy-Based Society (ReHES) in order to ensure that all these problems were properly addressed.
Director for Sustainability at the International Olympic Committee, Marie Sallois, said “With their immense reach and visibility, the Olympic Games are a great opportunity to demonstrate technologies which can help tackle today’s challenges, such as climate change.”
“Tokyo 2020’s showcasing of hydrogen is just one example of how these Games will contribute to this goal,” she added.
Back in 2017, Japan was the very first nation-state that adopted a national hydrogen strategy. This meant that they increased their research and development (R&D) of hydrogen power to around $300 million to fund 2018 and 2019. In line with this, they also built one of the biggest hydrogen fuel plants in the entire world in the town of Namie, which is located in Fukushima.
Within their plant, they have 10,000 kilowatts of clean energy that manages to produce 900 metric tons of hydrogen annually. This aids in powering ‘a fleet of 500 hydrogen cars, 100 hydrogen buses, and even hydrogen forklifts.’ At the same time, the government has built 35 refueling station all around the city as well.
The International Olympic Village sits at the intersection between Tokyo Bay and heritage zones, and it’s the very first full-scale hydrogen infrastructure in Tokyo, Japan. The hydrogen fuel cells found there can power the heating, power lights, and hot water in all the dormitories and cafeterias, all of which have the capacity to temporarily house at least 11,000 athletes.
Once the games are concluded, the village will be converted into hydrogen-powered flats, a school, shopping center, and more.
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