ICEF2017 Top 10 Innovations

Based on the three perspectives of (1) large GHG emissions reduction potential, (2) excellence in innovativeness and (3) feasibility, ICEF Steering Committee members selected the 25 best cases of top-level technological developments and policies in the domains of environment and energy that had been presented within the past 2 years. Finally, “Top 10 Innovations” were determined through votes cast by ICEF participants.

Organization	Title
Sharp	31.17% solar sunroof triple-junction module efficiency
ZSW (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg)	New world record for thin-film solar cells
Kaneka Corporation	World’s highest conversion efficiency of 26.33% achieved in a crystalline silicon solar cell
Harvard University	Water splitting–biosynthetic system with CO2 reduction efficiencies exceeding photosynthesis
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Toyota Motor Corporation	High-power all-solid-state batteries using sulfide superionic conductors
Harvard University	Long-lasting flow battery could run for more than a decade with minimum upkeep
Max Bögl Wind AG, GE Renewable Energy	World’s tallest wind turbine integrated with pumped storage hydro
Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance, ICM, GEVO	Flight powered by biofuel made from residual wood
Anellotech, Suntory	100 percent bio-based plastics for beverage bottles
LO3 Energy, Siemens	Demonstration of peer to peer electricity trading using blockchain technology
Tennet, Sonnen, IBM	Pioneering the networking of storage batteries with blockchain technology
Toshiba	Demonstration of Positive Energy Building Begins in Lyon

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Detailed Information about Top 10 Innovations

“Top 10 Innovations” is an event to elect the most notable among recent innovative developments in energy and climate change mitigation area that had been presented within the past 2 years. Selection criteria include GHG emissions reduction potential, innovativeness, and overall feasibility. Shortlisted projects cover various stages of innovation including “R&D;”, “Pilot & Start-up”, “Commercialization” and “Policy & Standard” category.

Through the exercise, we aim to get the latest snapshot of technology development and diffusion with a view to achieving global Net-Zero Emissions. The event helps us to understand the state and trend of innovations in the respective areas, and helps find directions on areas where further efforts are needed in the future.

In preparing for the event, the ICEF secretariat collected about 400 cases from international journals, databases and other sources, and selected 100 cases as a longlist by interviews with professionals on respective areas. Subsequently, The Top 10 Working Group, comprising four members of ICEF Steering Committee selected 25 cases out of the 100 to be shortlisted for the final voting. Finally, “Top 10 Innovations” were determined through votes cast by ICEF participants.