Serialization/Decarbonization Innovation #03
"The real thing is really thin and flimsy." JR West Headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka this spring. Makoto Senda, Manager of Global Environmental Protection Promotion (Environmental Planning), Innovation Division of the company, felt this way when he touched the next-generation solar cell "perovskite solar cell (PSC)" for the first time. The one in hand is a 30 cm square sample product developed by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. and brought by the person in charge. As he touched the finished product-like sample, he deepened his awareness, saying, "Practical use is definitely approaching." As a tool for the JR West Group, which aims to achieve net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, he was determined to proceed with internal coordination for its introduction.
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In August, JR West announced that it will adopt PSC at Umekita (Osaka) Station, which is scheduled to fully open in 2025. This is the world's first plan for a general public facility, and the PSC developed by Sekisui Chemical will be introduced on a trial basis. Through the one-year demonstration, we will verify the amount of power generated, etc., and lead to the expansion of adoption to other facilities. For JR West, this decision to adopt PSC has another aim as well as obtaining a new weapon for creating energy. (Interviewed by Ryuta Yoshimoto)
*Perovskite solar cell: A solar cell made of an organic-inorganic mixed material with the same crystal structure as perovskite. Since it is made by applying a solution to a substrate such as a film, the manufacturing cost is expected to be low, and it is light and flexible. The conversion efficiency has approximately doubled in the last seven years, and it is expected to be the favorite of next-generation solar cells. In Japan, in addition to Sekisui Chemical, companies such as Toshiba and Aisin are conducting research and development.
Related article: Japan's "perovskite", current location of intensifying development competition
A testing ground for innovation
“When we were looking for ways to expand the introduction of renewable energy, we felt that there was a problem with the restrictions on where to install photovoltaic power generation. I know, I'm interested." JR West Manager Senda explained why he was interested in using PSC.
In April 2009, the company announced "JR West Group Zero Carbon 2050," which includes the goal of achieving "net zero" CO2 emissions in 2050. In response to this, Section Manager Senda was searching for a means to achieve that goal. It was just such a time in November 2009 when Sekisui Chemical announced the research and development status of PSC and the prospect of commercialization.
“I had known about the existence of PSC for a long time, but (in the Sekisui Chemical announcement), a specific timeframe for commercialization was clearly stated, and I learned that it was very close to commercialization, so I made an inquiry. ”
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On the other hand, Umekita (Osaka) Station is conducting various demonstration experiments as a future station that challenges the realization of the "JR West Technology Vision" announced in March 2018, which seeks to realize the desired state 20 years from now from a technological perspective. was doing In March this year, it was also positioned as the center of the innovation experiment site "JR WEST LABO" that co-creates with various companies. Around the same time, we also decided to proactively incorporate "environmental technology", judging that it was an essential element in pursuing innovation as a station of the future. Against this backdrop, PSC, which Section Chief Senda was investigating, became a candidate for adoption. Given that the timing for commercialization and the full opening of service coincided, PSC was judged to be a suitable technology for Umekita Station and decided to introduce it.
Priming to expand opportunities for co-creation
In the future, we will examine the installation location of the PSC at Umekita Station, considering the roof of the carriage porch of the station square, which has a low load capacity, as a candidate. After installation, we will verify the cost based on the amount of power generation and workability. After about a year of demonstration, it will be used for walls and pillars of other facilities.
For JR West, PSC is an energy creation tool for achieving net zero CO2 emissions. The wider the installation location, the greater the CO2 reduction effect. But the company's hopes don't stop there. This is emphasized by Koji Otsuki, Manager of the Environmental Management Office of the Company's Management Strategy Department, which is in charge of formulating environmental policies for the entire group.
“We would like to expand opportunities for co-creation by taking a proactive stance (by deciding to adopt PSC and taking environmental measures). To achieve carbon neutrality, we are working on new initiatives that have never been possible before. I expect that it will be a prime mover for the opportunity to do so.”Strengthening cooperation in the supply chain
On the other hand, JR West's decision to adopt it is giving Sekisui Chemical a tailwind. In response to the announcement by JR West, Sekisui Chemical has been receiving proposals for cooperation from manufacturers of parts, materials, and equipment necessary for the commercialization of PSCs. Takeharu Morita, General Manager of the Next-Generation Technology Development Center, Advanced Technology Research Center, R&D Center, emphasizes.
“(With the announcement of the adoption by JR West), I feel that the impression that the problem of durability, which was an issue of PSC, has been solved, and the practical application including the manufacturing process is approaching at once. ) We believe that we can strengthen cooperation on the supply chain, which is important for commercialization.”
Triggered by the decision to adopt this technology by JR West, the road to the practical application and further spread of "perovskite," which is considered to be the favorite of next-generation solar cells, is becoming clearer.
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