Within the NWA programme Electrochemical Conversion and Materials (ECCM), NWO has awarded funding to three proposals from consortia of researchers, companies and civil society partners from the Netherlands and abroad. The collaborating partners will investigate the transition to a CO2-neutral industry, based on sustainable energy generation, storage and conversion.
The three projects can now start. The project leaders are Ruud van Ommen (TU Delft), Harry Bitter (Wageningen University and Research) and Michail Tsampas (DIFFER). A total of 18 knowledge institutions, companies and civil society partners are participating. The total amount awarded is 3.7 million euros.
The aim of the programme is to strengthen the knowledge base of the ECCM field through fundamental and applied research. In this programme, the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant and the Dutch Research Agenda come together to contribute to the energy transition by means of research.
Projects awarded funding
Creating the flexible electrochemical plant of the future
Main applicant: prof. dr. ir. J.R. (Ruud) van Ommen – TU Delft
Consortium partners: Eindhoven University of Technology, Proton Ventures, Global Solutions International B.V., Vattenfall Energy, SmartPort, Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, Shell Global Solutions International B.V.
Future plants producing chemicals and fuels will make use of low‐cost renewable and carbon‐free energy. However, this energy source is only available on intermittent basis while conventional plants are operated continuously. The proposed research will investigate the fundamental changes needed so future plants have the flexibility to follow renewable energy‐profiles.
A sustainable way using an electrocatalytic process
Main applicant: prof. dr. J.H. (Harry) Bitter – Wageningen University & Research
Consortium partners: Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Universiteit Twente, Solvay
The reserachers propose to make hydrogenperoxide, a 5 million ton/year bulk chemical, in a sustainable way using an electrocatalytic process. Fundamental and applied research in the fields of electrocatalysis, membrane science and system integration will go hand in hand to arrive at system which can operate under industrially relevant conditions.
Next generation of water electrolysers
Main applicant: dr. M. (Michail) Tsampas – DIFFER: Dutch Institute For Fundamental Energy Research
Consortium partners: Eindhoven University of Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, FORTH, Syngaschem, Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, VSPARTICLE BV, VECO, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Greece, Toyota Motor Europe
Energy storage will play a pivotal role in future low‐carbon energy systems, balancing intermittent supply with demand .Hydrogen production via water electrolysis, is an attractive approach due to long‐term storability. SCALE project addresses the challenges of energy affordability, sustainability and security by bringing emerging‐materials and electrode‐architectures to industrially relevant conditions.
Dutch Research Agenda
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, NWO has funded research in the context of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) since 2018. The aim of NWA research is to make a positive, structural contribution to the knowledge society of tomorrow, by building bridges and jointly tackling scientific and societal challenges. Thematic programming in collaboration with government ministries is one of the ways in which this is realised.
The aim of the thematic NWA programmes, which are realised in partnership with government ministries, is to find answers to current societal questions.
Contact
Maurits Boeije:
+31 (0) 70 3494370 m.boeije@nwo.nl
Poppy Savenije (media contact):
+31 (0)6 83893713 p.savenije@nwo.nl
For the original news item see NWO page