The Advanced Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program (ALCA) promotes research and development in environmental and energy technology aimed at achieving a low-carbon society in the future.

At the 14th Renewable Energy 2019 Exhibition ＆ Forum (held at Pacifico Yokohama, July 10–12, 2019), two research groups made a presentation of their latest findings under ALCA titled “New energy harvesting technology: Thermoacoustic devices and organic thin film solar cells.” Associate Professor Shinya Hasegawa, Tokai University, demonstrated a cooling system using thermoacoustic devices that enable cooling and electricity generation through sound waves generated from various heat sources. Prof. Atsushi Wakamiya, Kyoto University, displayed Pb-free perovskite-type solar cells, which are fabricated by coating of materials without using lead (Pb), which is toxic. They also gave lectures on their research outcomes at the special presentation zone.

Many visitors, who were highly interested, mostly from business sectors, came to the exhibition site. During the three days of the event, over 600 people visited our exhibition booth, listening to the researchers' explanations and asking questions in earnest. Furthermore, at the “Exhibitor Presentation” held on the second day of the event, all the seats were filled, and some even had to stand. It reaffirmed the fact that heat and solar energy utilization technologies are in strong demand. ALCA will continue to advance technological innovation including both project themes to realize a low-carbon society in the future.

Finally, we would like to offer our special thanks to Prof. Hasegawa, Prof. Wakamiya, and all the staff and students of their laboratories for their immense cooperation in the making of panel manuscripts and the preparation and installation of exhibits and for responding to visitors during the event.

【Contents: Exhibitor, Theme, Summary】

■Associate Professor Shinya Hasegawa, Tokai University, “Regenerative thermoacoustic device enabling cooling and electricity generation by sound”

Most of the factories and automobiles operate by burning fossil fuels, and a massive amount of thermal energy is thrown into the air as waste heat. In the midst of growing, active discussions about the regeneration of waste heat for the effective use of limited resources, a “thermoacoustic engine” that regenerates waste heat with high efficiency has been gaining people’s interests in recent years. The thermoacoustic engine uses the phenomenon of spontaneous gas oscillations in a capillary by setting a temperature gradient above a certain value in the capillary. A heat regenerative device enables cooling and the generation of electricity using the sound waves that are generated. In the exhibition, a prototype thermoacoustic engine demonstrated cooling and the generation of electricity.

■Professor Atsushi Wakamiya, Kyoto University, “Development of environmentally low impact high performance perovskite-type solar cells”

As a thin solar cell that can be fabricated by coating, a perovskite-type solar cell attracts much attention. This solar cell shows over 20% photoelectric conversion efficiency and high-power generation efficiency even under low light conditions such as cloudy days and indoor lighting. Furthermore, it is used as a light-weight flexible power source by applying film substrates. In the exhibition, a possibility of an “everywhere power source” utilizing these features was introduced and the research results of the Pb-free perovskite solar cells were also exhibited.

The 14th Renewable Energy 2019 Exhibition＆Forum

Link:http://www.renewableenergy.jp/2019/english/