ClearVue: Solar Greenhouses shining at Murdoch University and now in Japan
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stage 1 plant science trials at Murdoch University Greenhouse have been completed revealing some exciting power generation, thermal efficiency and plant science data and insights
- ClearVue has made significant upgrades to the greenhouse systems in advance of its Stage 2 plant science trial, stemming from learnings of the Stage 1 plant science trial, confirming the readiness of ClearVue PV for commercial applications
- Stage 2 plant science trial has now commenced with aim of finding the optimum balance between power generation, thermal efficiency, water savings and maximising plant growth across a wide range of species through adjustment to photosynthetically active radiation (or PAR) light
- ClearVue continues to make positive progress installing its PV IGU glazing at the commercial greenhouse at Aqua Ignis resort in Japan
19 April 2022: Smart building materials company ClearVue Technologies Limited (ASX:CPV OTC:CVUEF) (ClearVue or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on the progress of its solar greenhouse trial at Murdoch University and the progress on the installation of a commercial solar greenhouse in Japan.
Greenhouse Energy Production & Thermal Performance – first 12 months
Energy production performance and energy efficiency of ClearVue’s PV glazing at Murdoch University Greenhouse has been measured continuously since the greenhouse officially opened on 19 April 2021.
The greenhouse comprises four glazed rooms and an enclosed, unglazed preparation room at the rear (south). The four rooms include one with normal glazing to create a scientific ‘control’ as a baseline from which to measure the performance of the ClearVue glazing against a traditional glazed greenhouse.
The remaining three rooms of the greenhouse comprise three different versions of the ClearVue PV solar glazing technology. The second room uses the current commercially available ClearVue glazing product while the third and fourth rooms are variants of that product using different amounts of nano- and micro-particles to look at optimisation of power generation and impact on plant growth dynamics.
This stage of the experiment which is being concluded at the greenhouse comprised three main elements:
(i) To measure the power generation performance, as an offset to the energy demands of the greenhouse itself;
(ii) To assess the expected reduced energy load due to the thermal performance of the ClearVue product; and
(iii) To consider the impact that the proprietary ClearVue interlayer technology has on plant growth within the greenhouse.
To conduct the energy efficiency and power performance trials, ClearVue’s own in-house technical team managed the data collection.
To conduct the plant science research, ClearVue engaged with Murdoch University’s Professor Chengdao Li, a world leading molecular geneticist, and his team including Dr Hao Luo under a collaborative research agreement.
Prof Li’s team looked at agronomic and physiological characteristics that were recorded from germination to harvest, to understand the plant response to the filtered light through ClearVue’s solar glazing panels.
In this context, certain plants need at least some ultraviolet (UV), whilst others perform better with little to none. Other plants need different levels of visible light transmission. The aim of the Stage 1 winter plant science trial (see below) was to commence investigation into finding the right balance for an optimum growing environment whilst maximising power generation and energy savings.
As expected, different plants had different responses to the light passing through the solar glazing panels at different growth stages, where a significant amount of UV and infrared (IR) were removed by virtue of the operation of the solar glazing using those wavelengths for power generation.
For the purposes of the three elements of the experiment, the ClearVue greenhouse incorporates a range of sensors that record and present an array of data in real time providing the scientists with accurate information relating to conditions like temperature, humidity and the actual amount of light in all wavelengths that the plants were receiving.
This information was analysed to make automatic adjustments to lighting, heating, cooling, louvres, fans, blinds and reticulation systems, which in turn allowed scientists to maintain a constant microclimate to provide optimum growing conditions – a proportion of which is being powered by the energy generated by the ClearVue glass deployed on the greenhouse itself.
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Aqua Ignis Greenhouse – Sendai City, Japan
ClearVue’s PV IGU products are currently being installed by ClearVue’s Japanese licensed distributor, Tomita Technologies’, onto a greenhouse at the Aqua Ignis Hot Springs tourism resort project in the Fujitsuka area of Wakabayashi-ku at Sendai City, Japan. The greenhouse is a commercial greenhouse that will be used to supply produce for the resort. Completion of the glazing is expected over the coming weeks with overall completion of the greenhouse and its opening within the next month or two. For more information see the Company’s ASX release of 25 August 2021.
Partially glazed greenhouse at Aqua Ignis Sendai showing installed ClearVue PV IGU panels of custom dimension - 1.908m high x 0.95m wide.
Completely glazed greenhouse at Aqua Ignis Sendai showing installed ClearVue PV IGU panels of custom dimension - 1.908m high x 0.95m wide around all sides of the greenhouse.
Victor Rosenberg, Executive Chairman of ClearVue, commented:
“The results from the ClearVue Greenhouse at Murdoch have demonstrated the power performance of the ClearVue’s PV glazing both as a power source for the project but also as a significant contributor to energy reduction within the operation of commercial greenhousing where growers are willing to invest into a long-term capital asset that can pay itself back – both financially and from a carbon perspective – something no other greenhouse covering product on the market can offer today.
The recent upgrades made to the greenhouse will offer an even greater insight into the role the ClearVue glazing can play in commercial greenhousing. Whilst the results show that we still have a little work to do in finding the optimum balance between power generation, minimal water use, and optimised light conditions for maximum plant growth – we are confident that we are close to finding this equilibrium point and are looking forward to working with the Murdoch team on the Stage 2 plant science trials but also with Tomita on the commercial greenhouse at Sendai in Japan to round out this work.
The Tomita Technologies greenhouse installation is itself progressing very well and will in addition to offering a commercial greenhouse as a reference point it will also serve as a good demonstration of larger sized ClearVue PV glazing performing in a cold-climate real-world setting. We very much look forward to the finalisation of this exemplar project and its opening in the coming months.”
ClearVue looks forward to updating the market on the Stage 2 plant science trials as they continue and on the progress with the Tomita commercial greenhouse at Sendai in Japan.
Authorised by the Board of ClearVue Technologies Limited.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
ClearVue Technologies Limited
Mr Victor Rosenberg
Executive Chairman
+61 8 9220 9020
Citadel-MAGNUS
Michael Weir / Russell Quinn
0402 347 032 / 0403 322 097
ABOUT CLEARVUE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
ClearVue Technologies Limited (ASX: CPV) is an Australian technology company that operates in the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BPIV) sector which involves the integration of solar technology into building surfaces, specifically glass and building façades, to provide renewable energy. ClearVue has developed advanced glass technology that aims to preserve glass transparency to maintain building aesthetics whilst generating electricity.
ClearVue’s electricity generating glazing technology is strategically positioned to compliment, and make more compelling, the increased use of energy-efficient windows now being regulated in response to global climate change and energy efficiency goals.
Solar PV cells are incorporated around the edges of an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) used in windows and the lamination interlayer between the glass in the IGU incorporates ClearVue’s patented proprietary nano and micro particles, as well as its spectrally selective coating on the rear external surface of the IGU.
ClearVue’s window technology has application for use in the building and construction and agricultural industries (amongst others).
ClearVue has worked closely with leading experts from the Electron Science Research Institute, Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Western Australia to develop the technology.
To learn more please visit: www.clearvuepv.com
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this release, particularly those regarding possible or assumed future performance, revenue, costs, dividends, production levels or rates, prices or potential growth of ClearVue Technologies Limited, are, or may be, forward looking statements. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors.
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