Major Japanese electronics manufacturer Toshiba Corp. and Toshiba Fuel Cell Power Systems Corp. announced on June 25, 2012, the development of a new type of Ene-Farm, a household fuel cell, which operates even during blackouts by employing a self-sustained operation function. Shipping of the product to city gas companies and liquefied petroleum gas distributing companies is now underway.

 

The new product uses a combination of the conventional model, which was released in March 2012, and the self-sustained operation function. When the Ene-Farm is in operation during blackouts, power can be supplied through an independent outlet from the Ene-Farm. Another type of the Ene-Farm equipped with a selection switch box automatically changes the power source for water heaters from commercial power sources to the Ene-Farm during blackouts.