Our solar technology is helping Japan reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide and giving a boost to the Australian car industry at the same time.
The challenge
Reducing carbon emissions in Japan
Japan is aiming to increase the percentage of its power that is generated from renewable sources. To achieve this, the Japanese Ministry of Environment provided a grant to Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), to "develop and verify technologies for enhancing measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions."
Our response
Shining our solar expertise on Yokohama
MHPS is using our solar thermal technology to establish a field of 150 heliostats in Yokohama for running research projects.
It is the second international deployment of our solar thermal technology, following on from a similar project in Cyprus.
The results
Driving the diversification of the Australian car industry
In addition to helping with Japan's renewable energy requirements, the project is also a welcome boost to the car industry, with the our heliostats being constructed by a South Australian manufacturing company actively coping with the downturn in the automotive industry. Heliostat SA was created with the support of four South Australian companies: Precision Components, a company heavily involved in the car industry; The University of South Australia; May Brothers and Enersalt.
Our Energy and Resources Executive Director Dr Alex Wonhas said the two projects were a strong vote of confidence for the science agency's solar capabilities.
"These projects are the fruits of more than a decade of solar thermal research emanating from our energy centre in Newcastle and demonstrate the growing worldwide appetite for concentrated solar power," he said.
"To have CSIRO's heliostats selected by MHPS, a global leader in energy, proves that our technology is up there with the best in the world. Our successful collaboration with Heliostat SA also shows the benefits of science working closely with industry to create value for the Australian economy."