Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

New materials for photocatalysts toproduce hydrogen
Organization

Osaka University
A compound consisting of gold, lanthanum, titanium and oxygen, (Au/La2Ti2O7) sensitized withblack phosphorus is developed as a photocatalyst for H2 production. Currently, only ultraviolet(UV) region of solar light (which only consists about 3 – 4 % of total solar energy) can be
harvested by catalysts to produce hydrogen, resulting in a very low rate of conversion (only a few
percentage points). With this catalyst, a broad range of solar light including not only UV but
also visible light and near-infrared (NIR) region can be harvested for energy to producehydrogen. This technology could be one significant step towards direct conversion of sunlightinto hydrogen, which would complement or replace other processes such as thermolysis andelectrolysis from zero-emissions sources of hydrogen to be used for e.g. fuel cells, and direct

Electron microscope image of black phosphorous, lanthanum titanate,gold nanoparticles

combustion in power plants.

Source © The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University(http://www.sanken.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/e_toppage/e_hot_topics/topics_20170530/)

CO2 emissions reduction potential

InnovativenessIf scaled up, this technology could provide a key to massive production of hydrogen ataffordable cost, which can be used in fuel cells, direct combustion or energy carriers.

The technology is highly innovative due to its novel combination of elements
enabling use of visible light and NIR, which together consists more than 90% of solar
energy.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

High efficiency ammonia synthesis fromwater and nitrogen
Organization

Giner Inc., Newton, MAAmmonia, key element for nitrogen fertilizers, are produced today by Haber-Bosch method,
requiring hydrogen whose production is both energy and emissions-intensive since it uses
natural gas, whose carbon is eventually released as CO2 at a rate of about 1.7t-CO2/t-NH3. A
group of advanced membrane / catalyst components are being developed, enabling ammonia
to be produced by water, nitrogen and renewable electricity. The components will be

integrated into the existing water electrolysis platform to maximize the overall system efficiency.
There are two merits for this innovation. The first is that the temperature and pressure aremuch lower than conventional methods, leading to improved overall energy efficiency.
The second merit of innovation is the opportunity to utilize renewable electricity, allowing for

Schematic diagram of the technology
Source © Giner Inc., Newton, MA
Acknowledgment

This work was funded in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E),
U.S. Department of Energy, under Award Number DE-AR000814.

reduced CO2 emission.

CO2 emissions reduction potential

InnovativenessAmmonia production emits c. 250 Mt-CO2 worldwide, but is essential for fertilizer andis a potentially useful medium of electricity storage enabling transport of hydrogen.
Therefore, alternative production of ammonia is highly sought after.

The technology is highly innovative, since it combines innovation in both membrane
and catalytic components.

ICEF2018- Highly selective catalysts have been developed to boost nitrogen reduction while inhibiting side reactions.
- Advanced high temperature alkaline membranes have been explored to facilitate ammonia synthesis and separation.
- Ammonia synthesis proceeds at intermediate temperature and ambient pressure that can improve energy efficiency.

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

Advanced small modular reactor (aSMR)
Organization

Advanced Reactor Concepts, LLC.
An advanced small module reactor (aSMR) will soon be deployed in a Canadian province pursuing theestablishment of a center of excellence becoming a manufacturing hub for advanced SMR products based on
its technology. The project is also expected to provide a nuclear supply chain created in the region.
The aSMR named ARC-100 is a 100 MWe sodium-cooled, fast flux, pool-type reactor with metallic fuel thatbuilds upon the 30-year operation of the EBR-II reactor. What is notable is that waste created by light-water
reactors suffices as viable fuel, offering a solution to the problem of nuclear waste.

Among other features, its passive safety system prevents meltdowns of the reactor, the most crucial

element for nuclear applications, even in the case of a complete loss of power. Overall, a project using thisreactor backed by matured technology might shed light on a holistic solution to the nuclear problem, thoughon a limited scale.
Diagram of ARC-100 reactor
Source © Advanced Reactor Concepts, LLC.
“A Sustainable, Cost-Effective Energy Solution for the 21st Century”(http://www.arcnuclear.com/uploads/File/arc-100-product-brochure.pdf)

CO2 emissions reduction potential

InnovativenessAs nuclear power itself is neutral with respect to GHG emissions, replacement of fossil
fuel power plants with ones of this type should be a priority.

Economization has been achieved through compactness while safety is ensured.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

Capture and conversion of atmospheric CO2 intocarbon nanotubes
Organization

C2CNT LLC
The synthesis method invented by researchers at George Washington University is not only used for
conducting carbon sequestration from stack emissions or by direct air carbon capture but also produces avaluable product called carbon nanotube (CNT). Its strength, conductivity, flexibility and durability are
expected to have far-reaching applications including capacitors, Li-ion batteries, lighter-weight structural
materials, and among others.
Hindered by high production costs, however, the versatile material has not yet come into wide use. It is
hence worth underscoring that, thanks to this novel technology, a researcher’ s laboratory running on
renewable energy could bring about promising products at lower costs than through conventional methods.
The use of CNT is limited to date, which means that producing CNTs inexpensively by C2CNT'sproprietary new method can be a notable achievement.

Source © Dr. Stuart Licht, Professor of Chemistry,
George Washington University at SL@C2CNT.com

CO2 emissions reduction potential

InnovativenessIf the technology is sufficiently scalable, production using the technology shouldexpand so that it reduces GHG substantially, due to two factors, namely, thewidespread application of CNT and the price competitiveness in markets.

It is highly innovative in that captured GHG can be converted into cutting-edge
materials.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

Turning carbon dioxide into concrete
Organization

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and CO2Concrete, LLC
UCLA researchers have developed a technology that turns carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

into CO2Concrete™, a replacement for traditional concrete – although with a much lower CO2footprint.
The technology demonstrates energy efficiency and scalability since (a) it directly utilizes
CO2 from flue gases without a need for carbon capture, (b) it operates at ambient temperatureand pressure and does not need extrinsic energy, and, (c) it does not use ordinary portland
cement (OPC), which is CO2 and energy intensive. The core technology is cost-effective because
it makes use of low cost and abundant materials as feedstocks that take up CO2 including

Turning CO2 into CO2Concrete
Prepared by: Gaurav N. Sant, Ph.D.
Prepared for: Innovation for Cool Earth Forum
Tokyo, Japan: October 10-12, 2018hydrated lime and coal combustion residuals. These materials fix CO2 forming stable carbonates
via a (patent-pending) CO2 mineralization process, realizing a carbon-neutral concrete since
the CO2 released during CaO formation is eventually absorbed. The process can use CO2

directly from dilute flue gas streams. A key advantage of this innovation involves creation ofTurning carbon dioxide into concrete
Source © CO2 Concrete, LLC.

unique material formulations which are optimized for rapid CO2 uptake.

CO2 emissions reduction potential

Innovativeness

The technology can avoid emissions in excess of 1 billion tonnes CO2 annually, due toreduced need for cement, reducing both energy and process-related emissions.

The technology is deemed to be superior in terms of CO2 uptake, lower additional costof integration to existing equipments, and energy efficiency.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

Development of a new, low combustible electrolyte
for lithium ion batteries
Organization

Hitachi and the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials of Tohoku University
Hitachi and the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM) ofTohoku University have jointly developed a new electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries that have
low combustibility (with a flash point about 100 ℃ higher than conventional organic electrolyte
solutions, whose flash point is about 20 ℃). In addition, it was calculated that conventionallithium ion conductivity is expected to increase fourfold.

It is expected that the safety of lithium-ion batteries is increased significantly, while also
increasing capacity and energy density. This is an important development for expanding the useof lithium ion batteries in stationary (e.g. homes) and mobile applications. Additional benefit

would be reduced reinforcements and cooling mechanisms to address safety, which canNail penetration test to confirm the properties of the new electrolyte
Source © Hitachi, Ltd.

drive down the price.

CO2 emissions reduction potential

Innovativeness

Storage technology by itself does not reduce emissions, but is a key component of
net-zero emissions society where the bulk of electricity is produced by renewables,and electrification is expected.

The technology is highly innovative due to its benefits which address multiple
weaknesses of batteries: energy density and safety.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Technology foreseen by 2050

Title

The world’s first 100 kW class demonstration testof ocean current power generation
Organization

NEDO and IHI Corporation
A 100 kW-class prototype subsea floating-type ocean-current power generation system has
been developed. In 2017, the world’ s first 100 kW class ocean-current power generation
demonstration was conducted. The demonstration test was carried out using the Kuroshio
Current in the waters off the coast of Kuchinoshima, Toshima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
NEDO expects ocean-current energy to be a new renewable energy resource that provides alarge amount of energy with few fluctuations. NEDO hopes for practical applications of thetechnology, especially on isolated islands, in addition to its potential contribution to energysecurity.

Subsea Floating type ocean current power generation system;
installation image
Source © New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization(http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/AA5en_100295.html)

Using the results of this demonstration test, IHI Corporation will evaluate generation
performances and control systems, with the goal of practical application of the subsea
floating-type ocean-current power generation system, that effectively and economically utilizes
ocean current energy after the year 2020.

CO2 emissions reduction potential

InnovativenessOcean Energy Systems (OES) envisions that there is the potential to develop 337 GWof ocean energy by 2050 worldwide.

This project is world’ s first 100 kW class ocean-current power generation
demonstration at actual sea.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Business model transformation

Title

Converting waste heat into electricity
Organization

ClimeonClimeon, a Swedish company, provides technology that converts low temperature waste

heat from industries and geothermal heat into electricity. It uses the temperature difference
between hot and cold water (or the heat exchange of gas or steam) to produce clean electricity.
The heat source is typically 70–120 °C and the cold source is 0–35 °C.
The system operates at low pressure (below 2 bar pressure), which enables a more compact
and modular design. Each module generates 150 kW with a small footprint, is 2x2x2 meters insize, and requires only three connections including a hot source, a cold source and a power

Simplified Image of a Climeon Heat Power moduleconnection. These modules can be connected in a way that scales the system from 150 kW to 50

Source © Climeon

MW although the required number of connections remains at three.

(https://climeon.com/ja/how-it-works-japan/)

The efficiency of the system can be as much as twice as that of other low temperature

solutions available today. By using geothermal heat, the system is not affected by weather
conditions, different from other renewable energy sources including wind or solar power.

Market impact potentialUniquenessCompletenessThe efficiency of the system can be up to twice as muchas that of other low temperature solutions available
today.

The systems generate clean electricity from low
temperature waste heat.

The technology has reached the commercialization
stage and the system has already been released to themarket.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Business model transformation

Title

Delivering 100MW storage within 100 days
Organization

Tesla, Inc.
In 2016, South Australia experienced a statewide blackout. In March, 2017, Tesla CEO Elon

Musk placed a wager to install a 100 MW battery system within 100 days to solve South
Australia’ s power crisis, or the system would be free (the total system cost is reported to be
USD38 million). The 100 MW (129 MWh) Powerpack system was to be connected to a 309 MW
wind farm. The race against the deadline began with the signing of the contract at the end ofSeptember. The battery system was installed well ahead of schedule, and was activated on
December 1.
The system will deliver electricity during peak hours to prevent blackouts and increase gridreliability that will accelerate the expansion of renewable energy. Furthermore, it enabled

Neoen, the owner of the wind farm, to take advantage of the fluctuation in energy prices of

the region and to maximize its profits. The company is reported to have made USD800,000 in

View of the battery system and wind turbines
Source © Tesla, Inc.

a matter of days. There are plans to build an even larger battery in South Australia.

Market impact potential

UniquenessCompletenessThe project can be a forerunner of large scale renewable/ battery combination, which could change the game inenhancing profitability of renewable projects.

The project was far larger than previous battery system(30 MW), completed in record time.

The project takes advantage of an energy market withlarge price fluctuations. Its profitability is a testament tothe viability of the business model.

ICEF2018

Top 10 Innovations

Business model transformation

Title

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train
Organization

AlstomThe Coradia iLint from Alstom, the world’ s first passenger train driven based on a hydrogen fuelcell, has completed all test and homologation processes and has entered commercial operation inGermany. Three innovative energy functions are integrated into the design: clean energy conversion,
flexible energy storage in batteries, and smart management of traction power. The vehicle generates low
levels of noise and no emissions, exhausting only steam and condensed water.
The hydrogen fuel is derived as a by-product of an industrial process. In the future, Alstom aims to
support hydrogen production from renewable energy such as wind power. Having been approved forcommercial operation by the German Railway Office for passenger service, the first two trains
entered passenger service in September 2018.

Once a large amount of renewable energy is installed in the power system, some part of the energy
produced may need to be curtailed to balance the grid. Hydrogen will be one of promising technologies

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train
Source © Alstom / Rene Frampe(https://www.partners.alstom.com/Assets/View/92a183b6-b12a-4561-b356-76a587d0de4e)

to convert such electricity. The use of hydrogen as train fuel is seen as a viable entry point for hydrogenfuel in the transportation sector. The Coradia iLint innovation represents a major step towards cleaner
mobility, particularly for secondary lines where overhead lines are uneconomic or unavailable.

Market impact potentialUniquenessCompletenessThe vehicle can reduce carbon emissions in thetransportation sector and help introduce renewableenergy on a larger scale.

The train is the world’ s first to run on hydrogen.

The technology has successfully passed all test runs,received certifications from standardization bodies, andentered commercial operation in Germany.

ICEF2018