The European Commission has awarded Horizon Europe’s 8 million euro funds to two groundbreaking projects, with a way to convert liquid energy into solar fuel.
Sun-Perform and Solar to Butanol (S2B) aims to develop highly efficient bioinspired solar fuel technologies that can significantly reduce Europe’s carbon emissions while creating new green industry opportunities.
These innovative approaches are specifically targeted to sectors where traditional renewable solutions struggle to infiltrate critical intrusions such as aviation and transportation.
A bio-wind approach to solar fuel production
The project is funded under Horizon Europe Call Horizon-CL5-2024-D3-01-04 and will support the development of advanced biochemical, bioinspiration, or biomimetic approaches to significantly enhance light harvesting and carbon fixation.
The goal is to accelerate the conversion of solar energy into a highly cost-effective fuel molecule. The initiative targets advanced solar fuels other than hydrogen, focusing on scalability, sustainability, safety and economic viability, and seamlessly integrates with existing solar technology with a wider range of renewable energy systems.
Both initiatives will be implemented for four years, with demonstration results expected by 2028.
Solar Performance: Maximizes light conversion
Sun-Perform, tailored by the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, develops innovative biohybrid technology combining advanced nanocrystals designed to maximize optical capture.
The aim is to quadruple the efficiency of solar to fuel conversion, making it suitable for scalable industrial applications.
“With the performance of the sun, our aim is to effectively contribute to solving challenges in challenging sectors such as aviation and marine transport, where sustainable fuel alternatives are the most urgently needed,” explained Dr. Saradadamo, Project Coordinator and Assistant Professor at the University of Weigengen.
Butanol to the Sun: Advanced Solid Cell Factory
Solar to Butanol focuses on directly converting solar energy and atmospheric corn into butanol using genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms and highly natural-based materials.
The project develops solid state photosynthetic biocatalysts with 3D printed hybrid films that embed photosynthetic cells in functional hydrogel-based materials.
These long-life sustainable bioproduction platforms aim to significantly improve light-to-fuel conversion and fixation efficiency.
“S2B creates natural-inspired technologies that are not only efficient, but also cost-effective and scalable,” said Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, coordinator of the project.
A shared vision for a fossil fuel-free future
Both the performance of the solar and the sun to butanol exemplify the European dedication to a fossil-free future and the development of innovative solutions for clean energy and sustainable fuel production.
Both projects are based on the principles of photosynthesis and share a common goal of advancing solar fuel technology, enhancing sustainability and enabling scalable solutions.
Sun-Perform focuses on the production of critical lipids (TAGs) that can be converted to biodiesel or sustainable aviation fuels through established processes, while S2B targets the direct synthesis of drop-in fuel butanol.
Together, these pioneering projects illustrate key steps in accelerating the transition to sustainable solar-driven fuels through scientific excellence and cross-border collaboration, and realizing the European Union’s vision for a climate-neutral future.
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