Tokyo, Japan and Sunnyvale, CA – June 17, 2014 — The SoftBank Group and Bloom Energy Japan Limited today announced the installation of the “Bloom Energy Server,” an innovative and clean electricity generation system, at Tokyo Shiodome Building on June 17 in Minato Ku, Tokyo Prefecture. The Bloom Energy Server installed at Tokyo Shiodome Building, home to SoftBank Group headquarters, can produce 200 kilowatts of power and provides 14% of the buildings’ overall electricity needs.
The Bloom Energy Server is a breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology that generates clean electricity from multiple fuel sources such as city gas and biogas at over 60% efficiency*. Bloom Energy Servers have been installed in many locations that require uninterrupted power supply such as data centers, manufacturing operations, communications, and facilities with high energy loads including refrigeration and critical services in the U.S.A.
To contribute to disaster preparedness in Tokyo, Bloom Energy Japan can supply electricity generated by Bloom Energy Servers to streetlights and free power outlets in emergencies. Furthermore, to contribute to the clean energy urban development of Tokyo, Bloom Energy Japan is also supplying electricity for EV stands installed on the underground parking floor of Tokyo Shiodome Building.
“I am delighted that we have installed the Bloom Energy Server at Tokyo Shiodome Building. I believe that this installation at our SoftBank Group headquarters greatly enhances our business continuity capabilities in the event of an emergency. We will continue to promote this innovative, reliable, and safe on-site electric generation method as a clean energy solution for future generations.” said Masayoshi Son, SoftBank Group Representative, and main tenant of the Tokyo Shiodome Building.
Dr. KR Sridhar, Principal Co-Founder and CEO of Bloom Energy, commented, “Bloom Energy is pioneering a new energy vision and SoftBank is at the forefront of this transformation in Japan. By installing the first system in Tokyo, SoftBank is setting an example for other businesses to take control of their energy and contribute to clean and reliable energy future for Japan.”
"Bloom Energy Japan brings a proven on-site electricity generation product that is ideally suited for places that are prone to large scale natural disasters,” commented the honorable General Colin Powell, the former United States Secretary of State and a member of Bloom Energy’s Board of Directors. “The product offers resiliency, cost predictability for the future and sustainability benefits. I hope that the Japanese Government and Commercial sector take a serious look at the unit we are unveiling today and consider using the product for their own energy needs."
"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who made it possible for us to start operating the first Bloom Energy Server in Tokyo." said Shigeki Miwa, Representative Director and CEO of Bloom Energy Japan. He added, "We will work to empower Japan's adoption of the Bloom Energy Server, highly efficient on-site power generation system for business and industrial field, to contribute to the stable power supply of Japan."
By selling electricity generated by the Bloom Energy Servers, Bloom Energy Japan will contribute to sustainable and stable energy provision and economic development in Japan.
About Bloom Energy
The company was founded in 2001 with a mission to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone in the world. Bloom Energy Servers are currently producing power for many Fortune 500 companies including Google, Walmart, AT&T, eBay, and The Coca-Cola Company. The company is headquartered in the United States at Sunnyvale, California. For more information, visit www.bloomenergy.com.
About Bloom Energy Japan
Bloom Energy Japan was created to provide a reliable electricity alternative that is at once safe, clean, affordable, and compact, and provides electricity 24/7. With the establishment of the Joint Venture, SoftBank adds distributed baseload power from Bloom Energy and further encourages the domestic use of clean energy complementing its existing portfolio of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
*Initial performance.