Technological Objectives

• To develop selective and stable electrodes and photoelectrodes for biomass valorisation and hydrogenation of organic carriers.
• To develop a cost-effective integrated system using advanced (photo)electrocatalytic transformations.
• Integrate hydrogen into LOHCs without the complexities of gas compression and storage to reduce energy storage costs.
• Synthesise platform chemicals to achieve long-term energy storage in liquid form.
• Contribute to the development of sustainable energy structures vital for future energy grids with an innovative and intelligent long-term storage, transport and distribution system without the need for hydrogen gas production to improve the sustainability and efficiency of energy systems.

Impacts

• Develop a novel photoelectrochemical energy conversion system as a sustainable process for long-term energy storage to reverse climate change by replacing fossil fuel-based precursors with biomass derivatives.
• Employ a cost-effective strategy using biomass as a hydrogen source and solar energy as a renewable energy source to reduce costs and increase competitiveness against current energy storage systems.
• Improve the economics associated with this technology by directly integrating hydrogen into LOHCs without the complexities of gas understanding and storage. This technology has the potential to transform the chemical industry into a greener sector and provide additional income to sustain the primary sector, making it a net contributor to tackling the greenhouse effect.
• Explore new sustainable procedures to transform biomass derivatives into value-added products such as 2,5- furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) or glucaric acid, simultaneously with the hydrogenation of LOHCs.
• Addressing sustainable energy storage, transport and distribution solutions that contribute to the development of vital energy infrastructures for future energy grids in the EU and reduce the carbon footprint of energy systems to enhance climate change mitigation.