<Event Report>TBS Group Akasaka Heat Supply Hydrogen Heat Source Facility Commemorative Ceremony for Start of Operation: Tokyo Metropolitan Area's First Commercial Green Hydrogen Heat Source Facility Begins Full-Scale Operation by a Heat Supply Business
Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Morimasa Takagi) held a "Hydrogen Heat Source Facility Operation Start Commemorative Ceremony" by the TBS Group on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The company, which supplies heating, cooling, and electricity to buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato-ku, Tokyo, has introduced hydrogen utilization equipment with safety considerations, recognizing green hydrogen's potential as a next-generation energy source. Full-scale operation began in May 2026. This facility is the first case in Tokyo where a private heat supply business utilizes green hydrogen for commercial purposes, including reception, storage, power generation by fuel cells, and heat supply by hydrogen-mixed combustion boilers.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 04:30
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Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Morimasa Takagi) held a "Hydrogen Heat Source Facility Operation Start Commemorative Ceremony" by the TBS Group on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Our company supplies heating, cooling, and electricity to various buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato-ku, Tokyo. In renewing our heat source equipment, we have introduced hydrogen utilization equipment with safety considerations, taking into account the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy source. Full-scale operation will commence in May 2026. This facility is the first case in Tokyo where a private heat supply business utilizes green hydrogen for commercial purposes, including receiving, storing, power generation by fuel cells, and heat supply by hydrogen-mixed combustion boilers.
From left: Ryujiro Abe, Representative Director and President of TBS Holdings; Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo; Morimasa Takagi, Representative Director and President of Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd.
First, Ryujiro Abe, Representative Director and President of TBS Holdings, expressed his strong enthusiasm and gratitude for the start of full-scale operation, stating, "The full-scale operation of equipment utilizing green hydrogen is a significant step towards the decarbonization of urban infrastructure and demonstrates the potential of new social infrastructure from Akasaka to society. We will continue to accumulate knowledge while thoroughly ensuring safety and stable supply, and continue to disseminate information to society through GX initiatives. We once again express our gratitude for everyone's support."
Next, Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, spoke about the importance of this full-scale operation, saying, "Hydrogen is one of the keys to stable energy supply and decarbonization. Especially now, with the unstable supply of fossil fuels, hydrogen is attracting more attention than ever as a game-changer that can turn a crisis into an opportunity. As the metropolitan government, we are implementing various initiatives to realize a hydrogen society under the three keywords: 'create,' 'transport,' and 'use.' This hydrogen heat source facility is the first initiative in the heart of Tokyo to fully utilize green hydrogen, and the metropolitan government has also provided support for its introduction. Furthermore, green hydrogen procured through trial transactions conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in a market format is planned to be used. I believe this is a very important initiative for expanding the demand for green hydrogen in Tokyo. Let's take this opportunity to further accelerate our steps towards a clean and safe hydrogen society together."
At the ceremony, attendees were shown "hydrogen storage alloys" that are packed in the hydrogen tank of the plant and can safely store hydrogen at low pressure.
Afterward, a live broadcast connected the hydrogen plant in Akasaka 5-chome with the venue, introducing the hydrogen utilization equipment that generates electricity and steam (thermal energy) from green hydrogen with safety considerations. Pure hydrogen fuel cells are facilities that generate electricity directly from hydrogen without emitting CO2 during power generation. They are used for air conditioning, lighting, and power within the plant premises, and in emergencies, they can operate independently to secure power for plant operators' daily lives. Hydrogen generated from the hydrogen tank is then sent through pipes within the facility to a hydrogen-mixed combustion boiler, which generates steam (thermal energy) using a fuel mixture of hydrogen and city gas. During rated operation, a CO2 emission reduction of approximately 21% per boiler is expected compared to using only city gas. (The reduction effect varies depending on operating conditions.) The green hydrogen used in the facility is regularly transported from Yamanashi Prefecture. The introduction of this equipment has been subsidized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Morimasa Takagi, Representative Director and President of Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd., commented on reaching full-scale operation, saying, "I am filled with emotion. We planned this three years ago, and there have been many things leading up to this point, bringing tears to my eyes." He added, "Akasaka Heat Supply participated in the 'Hydrogen Supply System Study Council including Pipelines in Tokyo' this year. It is my great dream and daily motivation to see a hydrogen pipeline run through the streets of Akasaka in the future and for TBS's GX to evolve further."
About Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd.
Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd. stably supplies energy as chilled water, steam, and electricity, produced at two underground plants, to the building complex in Akasaka 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, including the TBS Broadcasting Center. We have established a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) to ensure uninterrupted operations and daily life even during large-scale disasters. Our company will contribute to supporting local communities and society by introducing safe and secure hydrogen utilization equipment for the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy and the realization of a decarbonized society.
Our company supplies heating, cooling, and electricity to various buildings in the Akasaka 5-chome district of Minato-ku, Tokyo. In renewing our heat source equipment, we have introduced hydrogen utilization equipment with safety considerations, taking into account the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy source. Full-scale operation will commence in May 2026. This facility is the first case in Tokyo where a private heat supply business utilizes green hydrogen for commercial purposes, including receiving, storing, power generation by fuel cells, and heat supply by hydrogen-mixed combustion boilers.
From left: Ryujiro Abe, Representative Director and President of TBS Holdings; Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo; Morimasa Takagi, Representative Director and President of Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd.
First, Ryujiro Abe, Representative Director and President of TBS Holdings, expressed his strong enthusiasm and gratitude for the start of full-scale operation, stating, "The full-scale operation of equipment utilizing green hydrogen is a significant step towards the decarbonization of urban infrastructure and demonstrates the potential of new social infrastructure from Akasaka to society. We will continue to accumulate knowledge while thoroughly ensuring safety and stable supply, and continue to disseminate information to society through GX initiatives. We once again express our gratitude for everyone's support."
Next, Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, spoke about the importance of this full-scale operation, saying, "Hydrogen is one of the keys to stable energy supply and decarbonization. Especially now, with the unstable supply of fossil fuels, hydrogen is attracting more attention than ever as a game-changer that can turn a crisis into an opportunity. As the metropolitan government, we are implementing various initiatives to realize a hydrogen society under the three keywords: 'create,' 'transport,' and 'use.' This hydrogen heat source facility is the first initiative in the heart of Tokyo to fully utilize green hydrogen, and the metropolitan government has also provided support for its introduction. Furthermore, green hydrogen procured through trial transactions conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in a market format is planned to be used. I believe this is a very important initiative for expanding the demand for green hydrogen in Tokyo. Let's take this opportunity to further accelerate our steps towards a clean and safe hydrogen society together."
At the ceremony, attendees were shown "hydrogen storage alloys" that are packed in the hydrogen tank of the plant and can safely store hydrogen at low pressure.
Afterward, a live broadcast connected the hydrogen plant in Akasaka 5-chome with the venue, introducing the hydrogen utilization equipment that generates electricity and steam (thermal energy) from green hydrogen with safety considerations. Pure hydrogen fuel cells are facilities that generate electricity directly from hydrogen without emitting CO2 during power generation. They are used for air conditioning, lighting, and power within the plant premises, and in emergencies, they can operate independently to secure power for plant operators' daily lives. Hydrogen generated from the hydrogen tank is then sent through pipes within the facility to a hydrogen-mixed combustion boiler, which generates steam (thermal energy) using a fuel mixture of hydrogen and city gas. During rated operation, a CO2 emission reduction of approximately 21% per boiler is expected compared to using only city gas. (The reduction effect varies depending on operating conditions.) The green hydrogen used in the facility is regularly transported from Yamanashi Prefecture. The introduction of this equipment has been subsidized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Morimasa Takagi, Representative Director and President of Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd., commented on reaching full-scale operation, saying, "I am filled with emotion. We planned this three years ago, and there have been many things leading up to this point, bringing tears to my eyes." He added, "Akasaka Heat Supply participated in the 'Hydrogen Supply System Study Council including Pipelines in Tokyo' this year. It is my great dream and daily motivation to see a hydrogen pipeline run through the streets of Akasaka in the future and for TBS's GX to evolve further."
About Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd.
Akasaka Heat Supply Co., Ltd. stably supplies energy as chilled water, steam, and electricity, produced at two underground plants, to the building complex in Akasaka 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, including the TBS Broadcasting Center. We have established a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) to ensure uninterrupted operations and daily life even during large-scale disasters. Our company will contribute to supporting local communities and society by introducing safe and secure hydrogen utilization equipment for the future potential of green hydrogen as a next-generation energy and the realization of a decarbonized society.