Project description
Turning carbon into fuel
Capturing and converting industry’s CO2 emissions is a challenge; producing carbon-neutral fuels is an expensive, energy-hungry and inefficient operation. Funded by the ERC, the THUNDER project aims to change that with its modular system for producing e-methanol (e-MeOH) from CO2 and water vapour. The process combines CO2 capture, co-electrolysis to generate CO and green hydrogen, and hydrogenation to create e-MeOH. Advanced membranes, electrocatalysts and thermochemical catalysts boost efficiency, while renewable energy and heat recovery reduce energy use. THUNDER’s simple design reduces infrastructure costs and the use of rare materials and supports fuel-cell applications. THUNDER could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 % and make sustainable and affordable synthetic fuels a reality.
Objective
THUNDER aims to develop an innovative, modular solution for e-MeOH production, addressing high costs, energy demand, and inefficiencies of benchmark. Using a one-pot tandem approach, the solution combines three reactions: (1) CO2 and H2O vapor capture, (2) co-electrolysis to produce CO and green H2, and (3) CO2/CO hydrogenation to synthesize e-MeOH.
THUNDER will enhance efficiency with multifunctional membranes for CO2 capture, advanced electrocatalysts for CO and H2 production, and thermochemical catalysts for hydrogenating CO2 and CO into e-MeOH. Using renewable energy and recovering surplus heat, THUNDER will reduce energy consumption compared to benchmark. THUNDER modular design reduces infrastructure costs, optimizes material use, and minimizes reliance on critical raw materials.
THUNDER’s impact on process efficiency, cost, sustainability, and renewable energy will be evaluated along the project. 5. It’s expected to be a reduction in green house emission of 75%, 50-60% in CAPEX and 8-16% in OPEX. Additionally, by recycling CO2/H2O vapor and residual heat from fuel cells, THUNDER facilitates e-MeOH production for fuel cell energy generation, effectively closing the carbon loop and optimizing overall resource and energy efficiency.
Key outputs include: (i) advanced materials such as catalysts, membranes, and 3D-printed reactors from recycled titanium, (ii) process intensification, integrating all steps into a unified system, (iii) technology optimization from TRL3 to TRL4 through testing with real and simulated flue gases, and (iv) validation of e-MeOH in fuel cells for mobility and electricity applications.
In summary, THUNDER will play a pivotal role in the transition to a sustainable economy, fostering modular, efficient and cost-competitive production of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels production from renewable energies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology environmental engineering carbon capture engineering
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.5.2 - Energy Supply
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08290 Cerdanyola Del Valles (Barcelona)
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.