A Summary of Liquid Hydrogen and Cryogenic Technologies in Japan’s WE-NET Project.

The overall objective of the WE-NET (World Energy Network System) project is to construct clean energy systems using hydrogen as a medium, focusing on the development of technologies for hydrogen production, transport, storage and utilization. The project is promoted by NEDO under the auspices of the Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The research and development of Phase I (1993–1998) mainly involved ascertaining long-term goals. Based on the results of Phase I, Phase II (1999–2002) entailed promoting the steady introduction of hydrogen energy into society and proceeded with technical development leading to practical applications in the short and medium term such as the demonstration of hydrogen refueling stations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The WE-NET project was successfully completed in 2002 and a new five-year hydrogen project was initiated from 2003. This report summarizes the major results achieved during the Phase I and II in the area of liquid hydrogen and cryogenic technologies, as well as describing related hydrogen projects. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]