Advanced Solar Cells, Carbon Capture and Utilization Technologies that Contribute to Carbon Neutrality

Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation

TOKYO—Toshiba Group is ready to showcase technology innovations that will advance decarbonization, at the Virtual Japan Pavilion, the online exhibition accompanying the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which runs from October 31 to November 12. Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) (hereinafter “Toshiba”) will present its state-of-the-art film-type perovskite and Cu2O tandem solar cells, while Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (hereinafter “ESS”) will present carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and Power to Chemicals (P2C) technologies.

The COP26 Virtual Japan Pavilion, hosted by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, will put the spotlight on Japan's work to promote decarbonization technologies, and curate technologies from companies and organizations that support local and global initiatives for carbon neutrality. The pavilion will also provide a networking platform for visitors from around the world.

Here’s a glimpse of what Toshiba and ESS will bring to the event.

Toshiba: New Solar Cells to Boost Renewable Energy
Light, film-type perovskite solar cells and Cu₂O tandem solar cells with high power generation efficiency
Carbon neutrality is only possible with renewable energy, and solar energy is considered as one of the most promising alternatives. But silicon solar cells are heavy and rigid, limiting where they can be used. Toshiba is working on more versatile cells to increase use and output. The film-type perovskite solar cell is thin, light and flexible, advantages for wide-scale installation in places where silicon solar cells cannot be installed. It promises greatly increased solar power generation.
Toshiba’s Cu₂O tandem solar cell makes current modules more efficient. Formed with transparent cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), it is positioned over a standard silicon cell. As the cells generate power at different wavelengths, output per area significantly increase. This highly efficient solar cell promises electric vehicles that need no recharging on long journeys.

Toshiba’s film-type perovskite solar cell (left) and the transparent Cu₂O cell for tandem solar cell (right).

ESS: Realize a circular carbon economy using CO₂ capture and power to chemicals (P2C)
Initiatives for carbon neutrality: commercialize technologies that capture CO₂ and convert it into valuable products
CCUS and P2C technologies tackle carbon neutrality in industries where it is difficult to reduce CO₂ emissions. CCUS captures CO₂. A pilot plant Toshiba has operated since 2009 recovers 10 tons of CO₂ per day, and in 2020 Toshiba brought this knowhow to the capability of the world's first large-scale facility with BECCS*. It recovers over 50% of flue gas from the biomass power plant—600 tons of CO₂ a day.
P2C turns CO₂ into valuable resources. Toshiba has developed a CO₂ electrolyzer that uses artificial photosynthesis technology to achieve world-class conversion rate of CO₂ to CO, a raw material for chemicals. Toshiba is developing business models for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a P2C product.
Both projects were supported by the Ministry of the Environment.
*bio-energy with carbon capture and storage

Circular carbon society model

About Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba leads a global group of companies that combines knowledge and capabilities from over 140 years of experience in a wide range of businesses—from energy and social infrastructure to electronic devices—with world-class capabilities in information processing, digital and AI technologies. These distinctive strengths support Toshiba’s continued evolution toward becoming an Infrastructure Services Company that promotes data utilization and digitization, and one of the world’s leading cyber-physical-systems technology companies. Guided by the Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba contributes to society’s positive development with services and solutions that lead to a better world. The Group and its 120,000 employees worldwide secured annual sales surpassing 3.1 trillion yen (US$27.5 billion) in fiscal year 2020. Find out more about Toshiba at www.global.toshiba/ww/outline/corporate.html 

About Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation is a leading supplier of integrated energy solutions. With its long experience and expertise in wide range of power generating and transmitting systems and energy management technology, the company delivers innovative, reliable and efficient energy solutions across the globe. Split off from Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) in October 2017.
https://www.toshiba-energy.com/en/index.htm