Project description
Photorechargeable solar flow batteries
The rapid growth in global energy demand, combined with the need to decarbonise energy systems, makes it necessary to develop efficient, scalable and sustainable technologies for storing renewable solar energy. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SHINE project will develop a new generation of intrinsic photorechargeable solar redox flow batteries in which specially engineered redox-active polymer electrolyte nanosuspensions, sensitised with rare-earth ions, directly harvest sunlight and store it as chemical energy without the need for external photoelectrodes. By combining advanced synthesis, in situ spectroelectrochemical analysis and prototype validation, the project aims to overcome current limitations in stability, charging speed and scalability while delivering a more efficient, low-cost and durable solar energy storage technology to support large-scale renewable energy integration.
Objective
The dual challenges of achieving net-zero emissions and satisfying surging global energy demands highlight the urgent need for advanced renewable energy storage solutions. Solar redox flow batteries (SRFBs) represent smart solutions for simultaneously harvesting and storing solar energy. Nonetheless, their reliance on external semiconducting electrodes for light-induced charge generation hinders their performance due to electrode instability, slow photocharging kinetics, and restricted scalability. To fully unlock the potential of these technologies, SHINE will introduce intrinsic photorechargeable systems in which the redox-active electrolytes themselves act as light-harvesting media, capable of converting sunlight into stored chemical energy without the need for external photoelectrodes. Our approach centers on the synthesis and engineering of a novel class of quantum-dot-sized conducting polymer nanosuspensions electrolytes sensitized with rare-earth (RE³⁺) ions, via acid-assisted polymerization. These photoactive electrolytes will leverage the unique optical properties of RE³⁺ ions to efficiently capture sunlight and directly transfer the harvested energy to the redox-active polymer nanoparticles. Through an interdisciplinary methodology combining advanced chemical synthesis, in-situ spectroelectrochemical characterization, and prototype testing, this research will simultaneously: 1) Guarantee the efficient integration of eco-friendly, low-cost, polymer electrolytes in SRFB technologies. 2) Understand the fundaments of the obtained photo-induced energy transfers. 3) Deliver a scalable and cost-effective SRFB technology that outperforms current systems in energy density and cycle stability, enabling a more efficient, integrated, and sustainable strategy for large-scale solar energy storage that directly supports the EU's green energy transition.
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 polymer sciences
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
162 06 PRAHA 6
Czechia
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.