Panasonic opens Europe’s first Panasonic HX Renewable Energy Demonstration Facility in Cardiff

Panasonic has officially opened Europe's first Panasonic HX demonstration facility in Cardiff, UK. The 50-year-old manufacturing plant now uses hydrogen fuel cells powered by green hydrogen, solar PV, and battery storage, all managed by Panasonic’s Energy Management System (EMS). This installation will power the factory's microwave oven assembly with 100% renewable energy. Additionally, the factory has replaced its gas boiler with a renewable energy source, combining a heat exchanger and Panasonic’s heat pump technology with natural refrigerant R290, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Panasonic is unique in its efforts to generate electricity for its factories with 100% renewable energy by using green hydrogen combined with solar energy to generate electricity in-house and control the coordination of three energy sources, including the batteries which store the PV energy when the factory isn’t in operation, such as on weekends. The company is committed to the long-term development of hydrogen and sustainable energy solutions as part of its Panasonic HX business strategy.

Masahiro Shinada, President & CEO, Panasonic Corporation, emphasised: “This facility will use green hydrogen produced in the UK. We believe that this is the place where we can take a big step towards the future by combining British and Japanese technology. It is our sincere hope that this facility can be used as a showcase to foster diverse partnerships, accelerate innovation through the combination of technologies, and contribute to the development of the UK’s hydrogen-related industry. Now, with the launch of Panasonic HX here at PMUK, we look forward to the next chapter. In ten years, or even 20 years, I hope this facility will be seen as a birthplace of innovation – where we helped build a hydrogen society and laid the foundation for a decarbonised future.”

Panasonic aims to achieve virtually Net Zero CO₂ emissions from its operations by 2030, contributing to a reduction of 110 million tons of CO₂. The Panasonic GREEN IMPACT vision outlines its commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. As part of this mission, Panasonic is investing 130 million euros to develop HX technology in Japan and launch this facility in Cardiff and in another European location in 2025.

At its Cardiff facility, Panasonic has installed 21 5kW hydrogen fuel cells as part of a decentralised system optimised for the electricity used by the factory, combined with 372kW solar power and 1MWh capacity of battery storage to provide renewable energy to the facility and collect the electricity of the PV system even at times when the factory isn’t in operation such as on weekends. The hydrogen fuel cells will use green hydrogen produced in the UK, so that no fossil energy is needed to generate the hydrogen.

Panasonic’s HX solution at its Cardiff factory is expected to deliver wide-ranging operational and sustainability benefits. By being able to produce its energy onsite, the factory will benefit from more reliable electricity provision. This decentralised approach to energy demand management increases the company’s energy resilience in a volatile market. By integrating an energy management system and storage batteries, the factory will be able to scale its energy needs when ramping up productions, for example. The heat generated by the Panasonic hydrogen fuel cells as a by-product of the electricity production will be used to heat spaces and domestic hot water, further improving overall energy efficiency. By replacing the facility’s gas boiler with this renewable energy source – a combination of a heat exchanger and Panasonic’s ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE R290 heat pump technology – fossil fuels will cease to be used, representing a significant and positive environmental impact.

The 21 5 kW fuel cells have 95% energy efficiency when converting green hydrogen into electricity and heat energy. At the same time, the factory has been able to introduce several electricity saving measures such as motion detected lighting, push taps, small cisterns etc. The Cardiff site will begin commissioning renewable energy from December 2024 and will be fully operational via its EMS in March 2025.

Panasonic plans to share its learnings and transferable best practice from its experiences at Cardiff with its customers and other sustainability-conscious local businesses. The company also aims to use its Panasonic HX solution facility to inspire younger generations. As such, Panasonic has plans to invite university students and school pupils to the factory.

Panasonic has also launched its new onsite Heating and Cooling Training Centre of Excellence, a significant step towards building a skilled workforce for a sustainable future. The centre provides accessible training for young people and professionals aiming to combat climate change. It features the newly launched Panasonic Aquarea M Series air-to-water heat pump, which efficiently heats and cools the premises.

Designed for commercial, industrial, and multi-residential use, Panasonic’s ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE units offer capacities from 50kW to 80kW, with cascading options up to 640kW. Powered by R290 natural refrigerant, the system delivers high energy efficiency (SEER 4.4, SCOP 3.9) while reducing environmental impact. The centre exemplifies Panasonic’s dedication to sustainable, renewable energy solutions by teaching and showcasing the technology in action.

For more information about Panasonic GREEN IMPACT visit: https://www.panasonic.com/uk/corporate/sustainability/pgi.html