Today, as part of the ‘Rinnai Global Innovation Manifesto’ announced in November 2021, which seeks to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Rinnai Australia unveiled two new renewable product technologies designed to support Australia’s clean energy mix future.
In a world first – Rinnai Japan has successfully developed a Continuous Flow hot water system for the domestic market which uses 100% hydrogen combustion technology and features zero carbon emissions in a way that also addresses the issues of “explosion risk” and provides “combustion stability” typically associated with hydrogen fuel usage.
In line with the announcement, as initial steps are being taken across the Australia market with a view to potentially using 100% hydrogen as a residential energy source, Rinnai plans to start demonstration testing in October 2022 in South Australia and Victoria to help drive the consideration of H2 as a part of the Australian energy mix future.
In addition, Rinnai also showcased its new Geoflo Hybrid 22 geothermal and inverter hybrid system, fully designed and manufactured in Australia.
The Geoflo Hybrid 22 geothermal system utilises the latest Rinnai technology to harness abundant free renewable underground energy to deliver superior energy efficiency Heating and Cooling all year round whilst also diverting surplus energy to the generation of essentially free hot water to the home.
Easy-to install, the system also delivers significant energy savings versus conventional heat pump and hot water systems saving the average household up to 50% per year in energy costs.
These two new key innovative product developments will feature as part of Rinnai’s rapidly growing renewable energy product portfolio which already includes Solar Hot Water and high COP Heat Pump systems that are already widely used across Australian homes to deliver highly energy efficient and sustainable appliance solutions.
From left: Mr. Junji Shimada – Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne, Greg Ellis – Managing Director of Rinnai Australia, Dr. Alan Finkel – Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technologies, Ms. Lily D’Ambrosio – Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Shingo Yamagami – Ambassador of Japan to Australia, Mr Yoshihiko Takasu – Senior Executive Officer, General Manager of Overseas Business Headquarters from Rinnai Japan.
Managing Director of Rinnai Australia, Greg Ellis said, “Today marks a significant milestone in Australia’s shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix future, as Rinnai delivers a real solution, not a fanciful promise. The advancements seen here firmly define Rinnai’s ambitions and commitment to work to provide commercial and domestic appliances which not only support the requirements of a changing energy future, but importantly, deliver the trusted reliability and performance that the market expects from the Rinnai brand.”
Followed by Mr. Shingo Yamagami – Ambassador of Japan to Australia, “I’m strongly convinced that the invention of the world’s first hydrogen-powered residential water heater by Rinnai, and the co-operation from Australian partners such as the AGA and AGIG in realising its commercialization, will not only help to take Japan- Australia hydrogen cooperation to a whole new level, but will open up a whole new golden age in Japan-Australia economic relations.”
In attendance for Rinnai’s major announcement at Rinnai Australia’s state of the art R and D facility was the Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change – Lily D’Ambrosio, stating, “New investments in innovation are vital to reaching net-zero by 2050 while delivering new jobs and future industries. The technologies launched today will help give Victorian households and businesses options as we map the best pathway to net zero, supported by our nation-leading $1.6 billion investment in clean energy.”
Also in attendance was Dr Alan Finkel, Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technologies and Chair of the Australian National Hydrogen Strategy adopted in 2019, who added, “Australia is blessed with abundant renewable energy, but the key to transitioning from fossil fuels is the demand side. By introducing water heaters to run on 100% hydrogen, Rinnai is making it practical for homeowners to greatly reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying the convenience of rapid gas heated hot water.”