Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Sol2H2O (European Twinning for research in Solar energy to (2) water (H2O) production and treatment technologies)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-12-01 al 2025-11-30
While the largest resource to avail is saline water, desalination faces two main challenges to its sustainability: the energy consumption required for the process and the waste residual brine, that can have a serious environmental impacts.
Whereas the combination of Solar PV with Reverse Osmosis or Solar Thermal heat with Distillation processes has been developed along the recent decades into commercially available solar desalination solutions, the innovative integration of brine valorization and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) concepts aims at developing strategies to close the material loop, minimizing the liquid waste. The integration of these technologies results in a ZLD solar-powered desalination system - a circular economy scheme with the production of fresh water and recovery of valuable resources from the waste of the process.
Gathering the experience of three non-Widening (TOP) partners presenting some of the most outstanding background and Research Infrastructure (RI), at European level, in the development of Solar-driven water production and wastewater treatment technologies (WP&WT), Sol2H2O aims at supporting the Coordinator (WIDENING) partner in the development of establishment of high-level research in this field. Based on the outstanding WIDENING RI and background in Solar Energy technologies and on its preliminary experiences in the Water-Energy nexus field, Sol2H2O seeks the development and implementation of a common scientific strategy, with a strong focus on an enhanced capacity building of researchers, going beyond purely scientific capacities and strengthening their research management and administration skills.
By means of a common research strategy aiming at further developing Solar-driven Water-Energy Nexus solutions, Sol2H20 aims at creating a reference European facility for the development and testing of Circular Solar-driven Water Production & Treatment technologies, enabling the development of renewable gas or agriculture activities.
Whereas the combination of Solar PV with Reverse Osmosis or Solar Thermal heat with Distillation processes has been developed along the recent decades into commercially available solar desalination solutions, the innovative integration of brine valorization and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) concepts aims at developing strategies to close the material loop, minimizing the liquid waste. The integration of these technologies results in a ZLD solar-powered desalination system - a circular economy scheme with the production of fresh water and recovery of valuable resources from the waste of the process.
Gathering the experience of three non-Widening (TOP) partners presenting some of the most outstanding background and Research Infrastructure (RI), at European level, in the development of Solar-driven water production and wastewater treatment technologies (WP&WT), Sol2H2O aims at supporting the Coordinator (WIDENING) partner in the development of establishment of high-level research in this field. Based on the outstanding WIDENING RI and background in Solar Energy technologies and on its preliminary experiences in the Water-Energy nexus field, Sol2H2O seeks the development and implementation of a common scientific strategy, with a strong focus on an enhanced capacity building of researchers, going beyond purely scientific capacities and strengthening their research management and administration skills.
By means of a common research strategy aiming at further developing Solar-driven Water-Energy Nexus solutions, Sol2H20 aims at creating a reference European facility for the development and testing of Circular Solar-driven Water Production & Treatment technologies, enabling the development of renewable gas or agriculture activities.
The activities performed along the project followed closely what was envisaged in the work plan and supported the achievement of the project objectives upon the realization of concrete KPIs:
- To raise UÉVORA research profile by means of cutting-edge research with EU top-class partners: Beyond State-of-the-art know-how on Sol2H2O research field has been developed in Tasks 2.1 and 2.2 (Deliverable 2.1) grounding both the concept and engineering of a RI upgrade in Tasks 2.3 and 2.4 (Deliverable 2.2) but also the submission of four joint R&D proposals, as of the Proposal facility in Task 3.4;
- To raise the research, technical and administrative skills of UÉVORA staff: participation of technical staff in the Widening RI upgrade interface design (dimensioning, engineering), implementation of a project management framework (OpenProject and PM2) and capacitation of research staff in entrepreneurship by means of the Spin-Off facility and definition of a spin-off blueprint on the base of the upgraded RI services (5 spin-off seminars alongside ProMs #3 to #7, Spin-off facility support resources matrix; upgraded RI based pitch);
- To steer Career Building and attractiveness of Young Researchers to UÉVORA: development of Training, Tutoring and Mentoring of candidate and young researchers, with organization of 3 editions of a Fast-Track School and related training materials, as well as cross-partner tutoring and mentoring activities supported by ca 47 Person-Week of mobilities, engaging a total of 11 candidate researchers developing JRA related PhDs (2 at the Widening institution) (Deliverables 3.1 and 3.2) submission of 1 ERC Starting Grant by an engaged Young Researchers, as well as the promotion of networking by means of a mentoring program included in the Living Amenities platform (Task 3.4);
- To enhance the networking of UÉVORA in scientific and Industry fora: Enhancing the Widening participation profile in EDS (conference participation and membership), Water Europe (membership) and participation in IEA-SHC Task 72 on Solar Photoreactors for chemicals and fuels; organization of Symposium to Technology developers and technology off takers, with the engagement of such stakeholders in the Water-Energy Transition and Water-Energy Strategy Symposia, the participation in the Industrial Fair ENERH2O (Porto, Sept’25) and meetings with Portuguese stakeholders to discuss existing competencies and interests in Sol2H2O JRA topics and the possibility of creating a national desalination association.
The execution of the project excelled in a number of KPIs, distributed by all the project objectives, leaving a lasting impact at the Widening institution in all the dimensions foreseen in the project: increased number of research proposals with international consortia engaging industry; increased number of industry service proposals; increased range of RI services; new project management capabilities; increased human capacitation among technicians and researchers - especially young researchers; enlarged networking with new participation in international fora; widened dissemination of scientific results, RI assets and R&D strategy at regional, national and international levels.
- To raise UÉVORA research profile by means of cutting-edge research with EU top-class partners: Beyond State-of-the-art know-how on Sol2H2O research field has been developed in Tasks 2.1 and 2.2 (Deliverable 2.1) grounding both the concept and engineering of a RI upgrade in Tasks 2.3 and 2.4 (Deliverable 2.2) but also the submission of four joint R&D proposals, as of the Proposal facility in Task 3.4;
- To raise the research, technical and administrative skills of UÉVORA staff: participation of technical staff in the Widening RI upgrade interface design (dimensioning, engineering), implementation of a project management framework (OpenProject and PM2) and capacitation of research staff in entrepreneurship by means of the Spin-Off facility and definition of a spin-off blueprint on the base of the upgraded RI services (5 spin-off seminars alongside ProMs #3 to #7, Spin-off facility support resources matrix; upgraded RI based pitch);
- To steer Career Building and attractiveness of Young Researchers to UÉVORA: development of Training, Tutoring and Mentoring of candidate and young researchers, with organization of 3 editions of a Fast-Track School and related training materials, as well as cross-partner tutoring and mentoring activities supported by ca 47 Person-Week of mobilities, engaging a total of 11 candidate researchers developing JRA related PhDs (2 at the Widening institution) (Deliverables 3.1 and 3.2) submission of 1 ERC Starting Grant by an engaged Young Researchers, as well as the promotion of networking by means of a mentoring program included in the Living Amenities platform (Task 3.4);
- To enhance the networking of UÉVORA in scientific and Industry fora: Enhancing the Widening participation profile in EDS (conference participation and membership), Water Europe (membership) and participation in IEA-SHC Task 72 on Solar Photoreactors for chemicals and fuels; organization of Symposium to Technology developers and technology off takers, with the engagement of such stakeholders in the Water-Energy Transition and Water-Energy Strategy Symposia, the participation in the Industrial Fair ENERH2O (Porto, Sept’25) and meetings with Portuguese stakeholders to discuss existing competencies and interests in Sol2H2O JRA topics and the possibility of creating a national desalination association.
The execution of the project excelled in a number of KPIs, distributed by all the project objectives, leaving a lasting impact at the Widening institution in all the dimensions foreseen in the project: increased number of research proposals with international consortia engaging industry; increased number of industry service proposals; increased range of RI services; new project management capabilities; increased human capacitation among technicians and researchers - especially young researchers; enlarged networking with new participation in international fora; widened dissemination of scientific results, RI assets and R&D strategy at regional, national and international levels.
As a result of the Joint Research Activity, the definition of a "beyond State-of-the-Art" approach in:
- Solar-ZLD water production and;
- Enhanced Direct Irradiation Solar Photo-reactor for CECs treatment;
has been achieved and reported in Deliverable 2.1.
Aiming at widening the services provided by Sol2H2O related Research Infrastructure available at the Widening institution, an RI upgrade has been engineered and commissioned, which includes remote access and multi-site service abilities in cooperation within the Consortia RIs framework.
Stemming from Sol2H2O Joint Research Activity "beyond-stateo-of-the-art" concept, a new brine valorization pilot has been commissioned, attaining already en experimentally measured 85% recovery rate - all stages considered - enabling the study of optimal operation strategies for brine valorization approaches and/or the reduction of customized brines for the experimental testing and validation of brine mining technologies.
- Solar-ZLD water production and;
- Enhanced Direct Irradiation Solar Photo-reactor for CECs treatment;
has been achieved and reported in Deliverable 2.1.
Aiming at widening the services provided by Sol2H2O related Research Infrastructure available at the Widening institution, an RI upgrade has been engineered and commissioned, which includes remote access and multi-site service abilities in cooperation within the Consortia RIs framework.
Stemming from Sol2H2O Joint Research Activity "beyond-stateo-of-the-art" concept, a new brine valorization pilot has been commissioned, attaining already en experimentally measured 85% recovery rate - all stages considered - enabling the study of optimal operation strategies for brine valorization approaches and/or the reduction of customized brines for the experimental testing and validation of brine mining technologies.