The climate crisis demands a profound decarbonisation of the energy system, which is currently 80% reliant on fossil fuels. While electrification will play a central role and could account for 50% of energy consumption by 2050, certain hard-to-abate sectors will require the use of renewable molecules. Prominent among these are hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, e-fuels and methane, which are currently produced via fossil-based and highly emitting processes.
In this context, the SINTETIK project will focus its research on developing innovative technologies (and their key components) for the generation and conversion of renewable synthetic fuels at a competitive cost. Four types of technology will be developed within the framework of the project: an electrochemical reactor for CO and methanol generation, a plasma reactor for syngas generation, an electrified membrane reactor for ammonia cracking, and a photocatalytic reactor for renewable synthetic methane generation.
By the end of the SINTETIK project, four laboratory-scale prototypes based on the aforementioned technologies will have been developed. Furthermore, the initiative will help strengthen the scientific and technological positioning of Basque industry in a strategic area aligned with the Basque Hydrogen Strategy and Energibasque.
CIDETEC’S role in the project:
CIDETEC Surface Engineering leads Activity 2, “Electrochemical Reactor”, which will investigate electrochemical reactor components (catalysts, electrodes and their integration into electrochemical cells) at laboratory scale, alongside their application in conversion reactions of $CO_2$