Gifu University Holds Completion Ceremony for the "Ammonia and Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Energy Demonstration Hub"
On April 21, 2026, Gifu University held a completion ceremony for the newly established "Ammonia and Hydrogen Zero-Carbon Energy Demonstration Hub" on its campus.
This hub has been developed as a core center to comprehensively promote the utilization technologies of hydrogen and ammonia--next-generation energy sources attracting attention for achieving a carbon neutral society--ranging from basic research and demonstration to social implementation. The hub was jointly established by Gifu University in collaboration with Resonac Holdings Corporation, Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd., TOKYO GAS Co., Ltd., and MIURA Co., Ltd.
By consolidating all facilities required for demonstration in a single location, the hub enables integrated activities including testing for practical application, research and development, and verification of economic feasibility. This comprehensive approach is the first of its kind in Japan.
Gifu University Takes on a Full-Scale Challenge to Utilize Next-Generation Energy: "Ammonia"
In recent years, hydrogen has attracted growing attention as an energy source that does not emit carbon dioxide. Ammonia, which enables hydrogen to be transported and utilized more easily, has also drawn significant interest. While ammonia has the advantage of emitting virtually no carbon dioxide during combustion, there remain many challenges to overcome for practical deployment, including ensuring safety and developing highly efficient utilization methods.At this hub, Gifu University will directly address these challenges by focusing on advanced ammonia utilization technologies as a next-generation energy source. The university will work on issues such as controlling combustion and decomposition characteristics, ensuring safety, and improving energy efficiency.
At the completion ceremony, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro delivered opening remarks, stating: "This hub is a symbolic initiative that brings together the knowledge of the university and the technologies of industry to promote co-creation aimed at commercialization. It is expected to contribute to Japan's energy transition and the strengthening of industrial competitiveness."
In addition, Specially Appointed Professor ASANO Hiroshi, serving as Program Director, and Professor YOSHIIE Ryo, Director of the Gifu Renewable Energy System Research Center--which manages the hub--explained the background of the hub's establishment and its positioning within national energy policies. Furthermore, Vice President KAMBARA Shinji provided an overview of the facilities installed at the hub and the future operation plans.
Looking toward social implementation from FY 2028 onward, the hub will proceed with demonstrations of distributed thermal energy supply systems utilizing ammonia, aiming to establish flexible energy utilization models tailored to local communities and individual facilities.
Through continued research and demonstration activities at this hub, Gifu University will promote the development of human resources and the creation of technologies that support Japan's energy transition and will continue its efforts toward realizing a carbon neutral society.
