Expected results have preliminarily been evaluated in terms of innovation and business potential (following the Innovation Radar methodology), obtaining a preliminary listing of Key Exploitable Results (KERs) which will be the baseline for SOREC2’s exploitation plan, including both joint (overall technology) and partner-only (individual components) exploitation pathways. These KERs are summarized as follows:
1. 3-D light scattering photonic structures, under development
2. Transparent, efficient & non-CRM photocatalysis for OER, under development
3. Hybrid Cu:DO CO2-to-C2 cathodes, under development
4. Alternative BiVO4 layer synthesis, under development
5. Visible-light transparent solar cells, developed, not yet exploited
6. Printed, low weight perovskite solar cells, developed, pre-commercial experiments.
7. PEC prototype design, under development
8. Societal acceptance & barriers on green chemicals, under development
Given the exploratory nature of the technology, IPR protection will be key to set a solid baseline for future exploitation activities, which will be largely guided by the four industrial partners of the consortium (GEM, VIT, SAULE and DBT) and will incorporate input from an external advisor (CO2 Value Europe).
Once the project ends at an expected TRL 4, there will still be a need for maturity increasing R&D in order to demonstrate the technology at relevant scale and operation conditions, requiring public (or if possible) private financing. Furthermore, while IPR protection is actively encouraged within the consortium. medium-term investment in patents (in the period before commercialisation is possible) can be complex. In this regard, IPR support in the form of post-project patent expense funding would be desirable. Likewise, support in standardisation activities, for instance through close work with fuel/chemical safety and quality entities, would also be useful to reduce risk down the road.
