To help build a sustainable society, NTT Group promotes R&D in environmental technologies on a variety of fronts, such as energy conservation, clean energies, and hazardous materials detection and remediation.
Developing high voltage DC power supply systems
As the market for data centers expands rapidly, efforts are underway around the globe to make such data centers more energy-efficient through switching from 100/200V AC power to 400V high voltage DC power supplies* for data center ICT devices like routers and servers.
Together with NTT FACILITIES, NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories is researching and designing high voltage DC power supplies offering the kind of safety that enables their commercial application.
In fiscal 2009, progress was made in the development of high voltage power supply rectifiers and high voltage current splitters, and on optimization of power supply conditions.
* High voltage DC power supply
High voltage DC power supplies provide electricity at higher voltages than those normally used by conventional communications equipment. The higher voltages allow the cross-sectional area of power transmission cables to be reduced to up to a tenth of conventional cables. This not only enables savings in cable costs and resource use, but also makes laying cables easier and improves transmission efficiency.
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Research into technology for generating electricity from merely walking
NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories is engaged in research of walking power technologies designed to produce electricity from merely walking.
Walking power systems consist of a liquid-filled tank, turbine and generator fitted to the bottom of a shoe. The systems, which work by converting the wearer's potential energy into electrical energy, can also help reduce greenhouse gases by generating electricity without emitting CO2.
Current prototypes generate an average of 1.2 Watts, with readings reaching as high as 2.5 Watts, and research is underway to bring this technology to the market in the future.
Prototype capable of generating electricity
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Developing more efficient fuel cell technology
Focusing on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), a highly efficient fuel cell technology, NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories is using proprietary materials and designs to develop cells and cell-stacks that rank among the world's most efficient and long-lived fuel cells.
These fuel cells are being designed for use as highly efficient power supplies in communications facilities and office buildings, and NTT is aiming to develop systems capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 10% compared to conventional commercial power sources.
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Developing compact and efficient solar cell systems
NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories has developed a proprietary ultra-low voltage booster module that provides ample voltage from a single photovoltaic cell. Using this technology eliminates the need to connect multiple cells in series, allowing solar panels to steadily produce electricity even when partially shaded or scratched.
NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories is working with businesses and local authorities both in Japan and abroad to develop commercial applications that use these modules, which were successfully tested in fiscal 2009 in footlights at the Beijing Olympics' wrestling venue.
Compact solar panel
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