Solar energy, the future of the Japanese grid - Its combination with electric batteries could meet 85% of demand
A research team in Japan has discovered a way to transform the country's energy future, showing that combining rooftop solar panels with electric vehicle batteries could meet up to 85 percent of the country's electricity needs. The method would also cut carbon dioxide emissions by 87 percent.
The study, conducted by Tohoku University, together with the University of Tokyo, offers a detailed look at how existing infrastructure, such as rooftops and vehicles, can be leveraged for large-scale decarbonization.
The researchers stated that with the increasing risk of climate change, Japan faces distinct challenges in decarbonizing its energy systems, mainly due to its mountainous terrain and limited space for solar farms.
However, with over 8,000 square kilometers of rooftop space and a rapidly expanding electric vehicle market, researchers proposed combining photovoltaic systems with car batteries in a model called "SolarEV City."
To assess the concept's potential, the team conducted a comprehensive analysis of all 1,741 municipalities in Japan. They assumed that 70 percent of rooftops would be equipped with solar panels operating at 20 percent efficiency, while electric vehicles with 40 kilowatt-hour (kWh) batteries would provide energy storage, using about half of the capacity to support the grid.
After analysis, the researchers were surprised to see that rooftop photovoltaic systems alone could generate 1,017 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year, exceeding the country's total electricity production in 2022.
They further discovered that a photovoltaic system alone could supply 45 percent of the energy needs. When combined with electric vehicle batteries, the figure rose significantly to 85 percent.
"To make this system a reality and move towards a greener society, we need more supportive policies," said one of the lead researchers.
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