Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

Rapid urbanization and the imperative for grid resilience are fueling demand for compact, efficient, and decentralized energy systems worldwide. Regulatory incentives for renewable energy adoption, coupled with rising energy costs and geopolitical instability, are pressuring industries to invest in integrated power solutions. This technology aligns perfectly with the global shift towards sustainable, localized energy production and consumption, offering a competitive edge in a market driven by both environmental mandates and economic efficiency.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Reduces installation footprint by up to 40% compared to conventional independent systems, enhancing space efficiency and design flexibility for adopters.

02

Boosts overall system energy efficiency by up to 20% through high-efficiency energy storage integrated with photoelectric conversion, leveraging carbon nanotubes.

03

Establishes clear differentiation and strong business advantage, having secured patentability in a crowded field of 10 prior art documents despite rigorous examination.

Market Opportunity
Distributed Energy Systems
$35B–$40B globally (AI est.)
Global demand for decentralized energy storage systems is rapidly increasing, driven by accelerated renewable energy adoption and the need for grid stabilization.
Renewable energy project developers Utility-scale battery storage providers Microgrid solution integrators
Smart Home and Building
$25B–$30B globally (AI est.)
The market is driven by increasing consumer awareness of energy self-sufficiency in homes and commercial facilities, alongside growing power supply needs for IoT devices.
Smart home technology providers Commercial building management system developers Green building material manufacturers
Next-Generation Mobility
$15B–$20B globally (AI est.)
Expansion of EV charging infrastructure and the demand for compact, high-efficiency storage technology for in-vehicle electronics are driving this market.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure developers Automotive electronics suppliers Urban air mobility (UAM) component manufacturers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects an innovative photoelectric conversion element that integrates both power generation and energy storage functions within a single device. Despite facing a crowded prior art landscape with 10 cited documents and two office actions, the patent successfully established its novelty and inventiveness, indicating a robust and defensible claim scope for licensees.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers the integrated structure of the photoelectric conversion and storage layers. White space exists in advanced manufacturing techniques for carbon nanotubes, specific applications in flexible electronics, or integration with smart grid energy management systems.

Economic Impact
~$50K/year estimated economic impact per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Compared to conventional standalone solar and battery installations, this technology could reduce installation labor by ~20% and installation area by ~40%. For example, for a facility with ~$133.5K (AI est.) in annual electricity costs, assuming installation costs are ~15% of the initial investment, a 20% reduction could save ~$20K (AI est.). Furthermore, integrated storage could improve system efficiency, potentially cutting annual electricity costs by ~5% (~$6.5K (AI est.)), resulting in an estimated total annual economic impact of ~$26.5K (AI est.) per facility.

Speed to Market
6× faster than in-house development
This technology's structure and integrated storage are clearly defined in the claims, and the underlying semiconductor and carbon nanotube technologies are well-established. This provides clear design guidance, allowing licensees to focus on material selection and manufacturing process optimization, significantly shortening time-to-market compared to starting from foundational research. Performance evaluation processes, supported by existing data, could also be streamlined.
Competitive Positioning

X: System Integration
Y: Energy Efficiency & Space Saving

Business Models & Applications
📝 Technology Licensing
Offering this technology under license enables adopting companies to integrate the integrated photovoltaic-storage element into their product lines, rapidly facilitating new market entry or adding high value to existing products.
🤝 Joint Development & Contract Manufacturing
Collaborating with licensees on customized development for specific applications could enable rapid market entry for optimized products across diverse needs, such as smart homes, IoT devices, or EV charging infrastructure.
🏭 Component Supply
Supplying photoelectric conversion elements utilizing this technology as components to building material or appliance manufacturers allows licensees to focus on final product assembly, contributing to overall supply chain efficiency.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🔋 モバイル・ウェアラブル
Integrated Device Power
Integrating this technology into mobile device casings or flexible displays could alleviate battery capacity constraints, enabling extended usage. This is particularly relevant for wearable devices and IoT sensors, where miniaturization and continuous power supply are critical for market differentiation.
🏗️ 建築・建材
Energy Self-Sufficient Building Materials
Applying this technology to building windows or exterior walls could enable simultaneous power generation and storage, creating smart buildings where materials themselves generate and store energy. This could significantly reduce building energy consumption and accelerate the adoption of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs).
🌳 環境モニタリング・農業
Off-Grid Power Solutions
This technology could serve as a self-sustaining power source for applications in challenging environments, such as agricultural drones or remote surveillance cameras. By generating and storing power from sunlight during the day, it ensures stable operation at night or during adverse weather, eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure and expanding deployment options.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 21-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technology Validation and Material Selection
Duration: 4 months
Validate the core technology performance and assess compatibility with the licensee's existing materials and processes. This includes selecting optimal semiconductor materials and carbon nanotubes, and conducting initial evaluations of storage performance and durability.
Phase 2: Prototype Development and Performance Evaluation
Duration: 7 months
Manufacture small-scale prototype elements using validated materials and processes. Conduct detailed performance evaluations, including power generation efficiency, storage capacity, and charge/discharge cycle life, with parallel testing under near-real-world conditions.
Phase 3: Mass Production Design and Process Establishment
Duration: 10 months
Based on prototype insights, optimize and scale up the manufacturing process for mass production. Establish production cost targets and quality control systems, and finalize adjustments for market-ready products.
Technical Feasibility
This technology features a photoelectric conversion layer combining n-type semiconductor material with a p-type carbon allotrope (carbon nanotube). This structure is highly compatible with existing thin-film deposition and semiconductor process technologies, allowing integration into manufacturing lines without significant new capital investment. The integrated storage function within the photoelectric conversion layer also reduces system design complexity.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could enable photoelectric conversion elements embedded in buildings or devices to efficiently store generated electricity on-site. This may enhance the stability of standalone power sources, reduce reliance on the grid, and promote localized energy production and consumption. Furthermore, space-saving and simplified installation could enable diverse product applications. Consequently, adopting companies could create new high-value product lines and strengthen market competitiveness.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2023-023245
REGISTRATION NO.
7591740
FILING DATE
2023年02月17日
GRANT DATE
2024年11月21日
EXPIRATION DATE
2043年02月17日
PATENT HOLDER
独立行政法人国立高等専門学校機構
Examination History
2023年07月26日
出願審査請求書
2024年06月11日
拒絶理由通知書
2024年07月25日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2024年07月25日
意見書
2024年09月03日
拒絶理由通知書
2024年09月25日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2024年09月25日
意見書
2024年10月29日
特許査定