ORALS

Finding novel solutions to combat climate change is one of the most challenging and pressing issues the humankind is currently facing.[1] While the production of solar fuels is still at a low technology readiness level, solutions need to be shown now to authorities and general public so that quick adaptation to renewable energies is achieved. With some European countries forcing fossil fuels out of their economies, hydrogen is seen as a very promising solution to deliver zero emission transportation.[2] In this presentation, I will give an overview of project SEAFUEL.[3] SEAFUEL aims to use the renewable resources across the Atlantic Area to power the local transport fleet and support the shift towards a low-carbon economy. This demonstration project is the first example of integrating the use of solar energy and seawater to produce green hydrogen. In addition, the green hydrogen will be used to power a fleet of vans and some fuel cell buses, used locally by our partner in Tenerife ITER, as well as regional bus operator TITSA. In parallel to the technology developments, academic partners in Liverpool and Galway have worked on the development on new electrode materials to fabricate electrolysers capable to operate under low-grade water. The latest developments in the field are discussed to guide research into new selective and efficient water splitting catalysts [4].

References:
[1] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ [2] http://hydrogencouncil.com/ [3] http://www.seafuel.eu [4] Tong et al. Nature Energy 2020, 5, 367-377.