Category Award A New Society in the Age of Society 5.0 Infrastructure Category
Carbon Neutral Category Award

Grand Prix

Film-Based Perovskite Photovoltaic Module

Toshiba Corporation

Exhibit Area:General Exhibit Area

Outline

As Japan transitions to becoming reliant on renewable energy for the bulk of its power generation, one of the challenges it faces is a lack of space for installing solar cells. Offering one solution may be film-based perovskite solar cells, noted for being light, thin, and flexible. Perovskite film can be employed in many different places, including urban areas, where the installation of silicon solar cells can prove difficult. Toshiba has developed a proprietary method for film growth, achieving an energy conversion efficiency of 15.1% – the highest in the world for any large-scale solar cell module comprised of perovskite film. This represents significant progress toward realizing a practical application for this technology.

Assessment

Toshiba’s lightweight and flexible solar cells made from perovskite film have achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 15.1%, equivalent to that of the polycrystalline silicon solar cells in widespread use today. Employing perovskite film for solar power generation is expected to raise the relative contribution of renewable energy sources, since this material can be installed in so many different places, including curved surfaces and windows, where conventional solar cells cannot be used owing to higher strength requirements. Until now a two-step process has been used for film preparation, but Toshiba’s single-step process contributes to improved energy efficiency and faster production. The award recognizes that this new technology will serve to promote practical applications of perovskite film in solar cells. Photovoltaic power generation is essential for realizing a carbon-neutral society, but due to the flat form and weight of conventional solar cells, there has been a limited choice of locations where installation is possible. That is why this new technology is expected to give rise to a wide range of practical applications, and it was highly evaluated for its potential contribution to the growth of renewable energy.

Semi Grand Prix

Visualization Of Various Sea Conditions with a Tidal Current Power Generation System Energy Harvesting Smart Buoy

Kyocera Corporation

Exhibit Area:General Exhibit Area

Outline

Visualization of marine conditions such as ocean pollution and rising water temperatures is a challenge for the realization of sustainable societies, but stable power supplies are a hurdle to data collection at sea. The combination of Kyocera's IoT technology and Nagasaki University's tidal current power generation technology has led to the development of an "energy-harvesting smart buoy" that uses a tidal current power generation system mounted on the buoy to provide the power needed for ocean data collection. The prototype has been successfully tested in actual sea conditions and enables continuous data acquisition at sea.

Assessment

There is a growing need for continuous collection of ocean data to address environmental issues such as ocean pollution and rising sea temperatures. This joint research with Nagasaki University led to the development of an energy-harvesting smart buoy that uses a tidal current power generation system installed on the buoy to supply the necessary power. In an actual test at sea, it was confirmed that the amount of electricity generated exceeded the amount consumed, thanks to a highly efficient turbine that can respond to tidal current speeds that change with time. As a device that will spur the marine industry to digitalization, this technology holds promise for "visualizing the ocean" in various scenes such as fishing and marine research.

CEATEC AWARD 2021: Award categories and judging criteria

A New Society in the Age of Society 5.0 Infrastructure Category Carbon Neutral Category Award The awards will be selected from projects with advanced technologies, products, services, new solutions and business models, including elemental technologies and concepts that contribute to the sustainable maintenance and development of industry, society and daily life, with the aim of realizing a “decarbonized society,” and that are recognized for their outstanding contribution to carbon neutrality.