Lab-to-tech transition of the current best low temperature electrolyser technology for CO2 reduction to CO using solar energy

Introduction

One of the most important challenges of humanity is to maintain economic growth and wellbeing in an environmentally sustainable way. The European Green Deal addresses this issue and it aims at making Europe climate neutral by 2050.

Opportunity for Waste CO2 Utilization

To reach this aim, a high priority opportunity is the utilisation of waste carbon dioxide to produce valuable chemicals (e.g. energy carriers, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals) in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.

Previous Work

In our previous ERC Proof of Concept project, we have demonstrated that the most viable approach where sunlight is first converted to electricity by a solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and CO2 is then reduced electrochemically to carbon monoxide, which can be further processed to valuable chemicals.

Technoeconomic Analysis

The technoeconomic analysis performed during the ERC PoC project confirmed the competitiveness of this solar energy conversion approach. Our team developed the current best performing low temperature CO2 electrolyser cell at laboratory scale, published the results in Nature Energy, and filed two PCT patent applications regarding this technology.

Project Aim

The aim of this project is to translate our scientific and technological excellence to a commercially appealing value proposition.

Objectives

Our objectives include:

1. Develop, build, and operate a containerised demonstrator scale CO2 electrolyser unit (capable of processing 100 t CO2/year).
2. Validate its performance using photovoltaic power.
3. Perform a detailed technoeconomic assessment.
4. Develop a business plan to attract investors in order to scale the technology further and start its commercialization.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the project, we aim to become ready for Series A investment and/or EIC-Accelerator blended finance. The success of this project will represent a genuine breakthrough in the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU); enhancing European leadership in this emerging market, and a significant contribution to Green Deal objectives.