Clean Planet: Innovating the Future of Clean Energy

Clean Planet is a major player in the global clean energy movement. We sat down with Masami Hayashi, the company’s Global Strategy Director of Clean Planet, to learn more about its history and future.

The Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 profoundly impacted Japan and its approach to energy production. Hideki Yoshino was moved to create a safer, more sustainable form of energy. This vision led him to found Clean Planet, a company dedicated to developing Quantum Hydrogen Energy (QHE) technology, a revolutionary approach to clean energy. The company's foundational philosophy revolves around the commitment that the Earth should rely mainly on green energy, extending even to outer space one day. “The 2011 earthquake was so devastating that everyone wanted to do something for the affected area. Our CEO, Mr. Yoshino, went further and founded Clean Planet, in search of a new clean energy [source] for Japan and the world. He was interested in clean energy since he was a student, and the trigger was the nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was the people, including his family, so afraid of the uncertain aftermath of the accident,” said Masami Hayashi.

The cutting-edge science powering Clean Planet’s innovative technology is Quantum Hydrogen Energy (QHE), inspired by decades of LENR research. QHe technology leverages hydrogen quantum diffusion induced by heating a small amount of hydrogen saturated in nano-sized nickel-based composite material. This process generates heat.

Clean Planet's journey began with basic research into this complex and fascinating science. This phase involved collaboration with academic researchers from Tohoku University, including Professors Kasagi, Iwamura, and Ito; the latter two had previously worked on nuclear transmutation at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The first phase was about confirming and establishing the methodology for Quantum Hydrogen Energy. Clean Planet partnered with Tohoku University and conducted extensive research to develop the heat generation methodology.

A significant milestone during this phase was the NEDO project, a national initiative involving multiple participants. This project, conducted from 2015 to 2017, involved extensive experimentation using nickel, copper, and zirconium nanopowder materials. The results consistently demonstrated heat generation, validating the methodology. This success marked the end of Phase One, laying a solid foundation for the company's future endeavors.

“So, when this methodology was established, and we decided that it's time to develop an actual product for commercialization, that's when we started to prepare a new lab near Tokyo," said Hayashi. They successfully replicated the heat generation methodology developed by Tohoku University, proving that the methodology was valid even in a different location, using materials provided by other providers.

During this phase, Clean Planet also formed strategic partnerships with several major companies, including Mitsubishi Estate, Miura (a leading Japanese industrial boiler company), and a major electric power company in Japan. These partnerships were crucial in moving towards the development of the first QHE-powered product: an industrial boiler. The collaboration with Miura, in particular, marked the beginning of Phase Three.

Clean Planet is currently in Phase Three, developing a prototype product for a QHE-powered industrial boiler. This prototype, made of modular units, aims to achieve an output capacity of 600 kilowatts when combined–which can generate one ton of steam per hour. Clean Planet's innovative approach involves using light hydrogen and base metals like nickel and copper, which are cheaper and safer than those used in traditional nuclear reactions. Each module is compact, making it suitable for integration into existing industrial infrastructure.

QHE operates at much lower temperatures than conventional hot fusion, making it safer and more manageable. The reactions occur between 500 and 1,000 degrees Celsius, compared to the millions of degrees required for hot fusion. This lower temperature range makes QHE safer and significantly reduces the cost of materials and operations.

The potential applications of QHE technology extend beyond industrial boilers. Clean Planet is exploring partnerships with other industries, such as steel, chemical, and agriculture, to develop customized solutions for their specific energy needs. The company is also looking at the potential for power generation, leveraging the steam produced by their boilers to generate electricity. Hayashi highlighted the “huge scaling potential” of this technology.

QHE involves nuclear reactions within condensed matter, a process rigorously tested and confirmed by Clean Planet and its partners. QHE does not produce harmful radiation, unlike traditional nuclear reactions, making it a much safer alternative.　The heat generation through QHE is also significantly higher than that of chemical reactions, providing a potent Energy source. "It generates a high level of energy because it's a nuclear reaction compared to chemical reactions, which is about combustion –like burning natural gas or even burning hydrogen,” Hayashi told me.

What are the payoffs of this approach? For one, it has an incredibly high energy density; QHe's energy density surpasses that of natural gas by more than 10,000 times! Remarkably, less than 10 grams of hydrogen will be able to satisfy a household’s monthly electricity and heat needs. Once initiated by absorbing hydrogen, QHe can operate continuously. An experiment observed excess heat generation for 589 days, with hydrogen saturation occurring only at the beginning.

“The second merit is that it's quite safe…even though this is a nuclear reaction, we have never detected radiation,"​​ Hayashi explained. Further, she told me that the reactions can be easily stopped by cooling the system below 500 degrees Celsius. Or the reaction will be disrupted when overheated because the nanostructure of the metals will disappear. This control over the reaction process ensures that QHE is powerful and safe for widespread use.

The company's CEO and team believe in QHE’s potential to revolutionize the energy industry and create a sustainable future. This belief is not just a corporate mission but a personal passion shared by everyone at Clean Planet. The company's culture reflects this passion, with employees working tirelessly to achieve their goals. The team is united by a common purpose, driven by the vision and energy of their CEO, Yoshino. Said Hayashi, “Clean Planet has a great visionary leader, our CEO, of course. He's so passionate about making this new, safe, and clean energy source available to everyone.” The ardent commitment to their goals and work that he personifies is contagious and spreads to everyone across the team, renewing the energy of their work. “We do it because we love it,” she enthused.

Clean Planet's journey is a testament to the power of vision and collaboration. From its humble beginnings in the aftermath of a national disaster to its current role as a leader in clean energy, the company has remained true to its mission. The story of Clean Planet is not just about technological innovation; but about the hope and determination to create a better future for all. “We, the crew of the boat [that is] planet Earth…we don't want it to sink…we have to fight together so that we can protect this beautiful planet, for the future generations…. this is a very exciting endeavor, and it's quite promising.” This highlights Clean Planet’s commitment to collaboration, as they invite others to join them in their mission for a clean energy-powered future.

The company is setting new standards in the energy industry through its dedication to innovation, safety, and sustainability. As Clean Planet continues to develop and refine its QHE technology, it remains committed to its mission of providing clean, safe, and affordable energy to the world. "This is a huge project. It's not just making one more new product for the world; it's going to change the world," Hayashi concluded.

The company's journey inspires, highlighting the importance of vision, collaboration, and perseverance in achieving great things. For scientists, students, and investors, Clean Planet offers a glimpse into the future of energy on a Clean Planet.