Japan and Osaka Gas to develop new type natural gas fuel cell

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan will develop a new type of fuel cell jointly with Osaka Gas, aiming to promote the use of environmental-friendly natural gas in homes, citing ministry sources.
The fuel cell, which will use dimethyl ether (DME) made from natural gas, will be smaller and more energy-efficient than conventional cells.

METI aims to commercialise the fuel cell by fiscal 2005, it said. The ministry will from October offer subsidies to Osaka Gas, through the Japan National Oil Corp, to design the necessary systems and conduct market research.