Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Home
    • Contact Panasonic
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    • Home
    • Trends
    • Sustainable energy
    • Earth Day 2018: decarbonized and in demand
    Back to Resource Center

    Earth Day 2018: decarbonized and in demand

    • Contact us
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Linkedin
      • Email
    Earth Day 2018

    Earth Day 2018: decarbonized and in demand

    5 minutes

    Three recent developments could help to spur investment in sustainable power and accelerate the move to a new energy system. First, one of the world’s most powerful investors called on some of the largest companies to do more to “respond to broader societal challenges.” In his 2018 letter to corporate heads, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned companies to understand the ways broad, structural trends, including climate change, would affect company growth potential.

    At about the same time, New York City announced its goal of divesting its $5 billion holdings in oil companies from its pension funds. The announcement follows other states and municipalities in California, Texas and New England that have either divested in fossil fuel makers, written policy that promotes renewable energy or done both.

    The third development is the rise of megastorms such as Hurricane Irma and Harvey. The storms helped to make 2017 a record year for insurance payouts—about $135 billion--linked to natural disasters and other catastrophes, according to global reinsurer Munich RE.

    As thousands are expected to gather to celebrate Earth Day later this week, we ask, can there be a better time to invest in renewable energy?

    Turning point for renewables

    We are at a turning point as the devastation wrought by natural disasters and the dramatic cost reductions of renewable power, batteries and electric vehicle fleets are accelerating a move to a new system for energy.

    Promising innovations point to a path forward. In “The Sunny Optimism of Clean Energy Shines Through Tech’s Gloom,” Wired Magazine highlights innovations such as microgrids, solar + storage tech and renewable energy calling clean power “the new Silicon Valley—filled with giddy, breathtaking ingenuity and good news.”

    Panasonic plays a technology and manufacturing leadership role in the falling prices and improving performance of developments in this energy future: solar power generation, batteries used in both vehicles and for power storage and electrified driving. We may be best known for its lithium-ion batteries powering the world’s best known electric vehicle brands. In EVs, we are playing a leadership role applying manufacturing scale and technology improvements to the dramatic cost reduction in cylindrical battery cells. We’re making similar progress with prismatic batteries.

    Manufacturing solar roof tiles with Tesla

    Solar technology and manufacturing developments show similar promise in their ability to power the new energy future as battery tech. For instance, in Buffalo, New York Panasonic is collaborating with Tesla in the production of solar cells for building roof tiles—a product that integrates high-efficiency photovoltaics with roofing materials.

    We’re also working with Toyota Motors on solar tiles for autos. Last year the global vehicle maker began using our HIT Photovoltaic for autos on Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicles. These auto roof panels have a high output (approx.180 Watts) enabling them to charge the car’s lithium-ion batteries and 12 V batteries, resulting in a possible extension in travel distance and increased fuel economy.

    Building energy diversity

    Diversification of sources is critical to the sustainability and security of a new energy system. Hydrogen is drawing attention as an alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power. It is the most abundant element in the universe and reacts with oxygen to generate electricity. And because the only substance created during this process is water, it is very clean. For over 20 years, Panasonic has conducted R&D on hydrogen energy. It has commercial projects in Japan and Europe and sees promise in North America.  

    We’ll have more on decarbonized and in demand innovation in upcoming blogs.

    Happy Earth Day!

    Authors
    Jeff Howell - President of Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America

    Related Posts

    Sustainable energy

    Building healthier homes to breathe easier

    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of people already spent 90 per cent of their time indoors, so imagine what that number is now!

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Good health starts at home

    With North Americans today spending more time inside their homes than ever before, many are taking a second look at their home's health and indoor air quality.

    6 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    For a Hydrogen Energy Society

    Panasonic continues its R&D on hydrogen energy technologies for a cleaner future.

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Battery Storage: The Missing Piece to Your Renewable Home Energy Solution

    If your goal is to create a truly energy efficient home, then solar panels are just the one part of the sustainable puzzle.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Top 5 Mobile Tech Features for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Workers

    Read the five most important features every field technician’s mobile computing device must have to assure their ability to manage DERs.

    4 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    6 sustainably cool benefits of home energy storage

    Generating your own electricity and gaining independence from the grid is an exciting thought.

    4 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Smart Grid Growth Demands New Tools for Today's Utility Management Systems

    4 minutes

    Learn more
    sustainable-energy-to-power-5g-blog-header
    Sustainable energy

    How renewable energy will power 5G mobile service

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Terra cotta roof with solar panels
    Sustainable energy

    A collaboration to make solar plug and play

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Back to Trends

    Talk to our sales team to learn more about Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    Talk to our support team to get assistance for your Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    • About Us
    • News
    • Careers
    • Investor Relations
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Contact Us

    Connect with us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram Link
    • Youtube

    Select Country/Language

    • Canada - English
    • Canada - Français
    • United States - English
    © 2020 Panasonic Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility
    • Panasonic Global
    • Consumer
    • Industrial
    Reviewed by Accessible 360