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At the Power Products R&D Center, inspired by the joy of spreading useful technology throughout the world, our research and development work focuses on supporting the prosperity of modern life. The list of products ranges broadly, from general-purpose engines for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, electrical generators and outboard motors to power tillers, lawnmowers, snowthrowers, home cogeneration units and electrical vehicles. These products conform to rigorous standards of quality and performance, and have gained high marks for economy and ease of use both in Japan and around the world. In addition, we actively pursue product development from the perspective of global environmental protection. And all Honda power equipment uses a 4-stroke engine which offers advantages in emission, fuel efficiency, and low-noise. All of the general-purpose engines developed today clear the world's strictest exhaust gas regulations: Regulations for the final years (2005/2007) of EPA Phase 2, enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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| Dynamo Test Lab |
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Outboard Motor Endurance Test in Circulating Water Tank |
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| Lawn Test of a Lawnmower |
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CAD Simulation in Design Room |
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| High Temperature Test Room |
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Design Studios |
Compact household cogeneration unit |
The Power Products R&D Center develops cogeneration units for the home. Cogeneration systems, which recover the waste heat from electrical-power generation, are rapidly finding homes in large buildings and industrial sites, as their incredible energy-saving performance sharply reduces carbon dioxide emissions and trims energy costs. However, in households, where consumption of energy is ever-rising, small-scale congeneration systems have had little success in boosting overall energy efficiency, with no examples of commercialization.
The Asaka Higashi R&D Center created a small- size cogeneration unit, ideal for installation at home, by efficiently laying out GE160V, the world's smallest reciprocal gas engine and small-lightweight generation system having Honda's exclusive sine wave inverter technology. The result was the world's first, compact household cogeneration unit, which achieved 85% in overall thermal efficiency.
Compared with thermal-power generation using a conventional hot-water heater, supplying the same quantity of electrical power and hot water, the cogeneration unit can be expected to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. These systems offer a solid contribution to the efficient use of energy and resources, and the reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. |
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