Advancing Photo(electro)catalytic Technology for Enhanced Solar Driven Biomass-to-Hydrogen Production

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As nations strive for net-zero emissions, the focus on transitioning to a green, low-carbon society has intensified, with hydrogen (H2) identified as a key energy component within the transformation. Although hydrogen is already produced on a large global scale, the vast majority is derived from fossil fuels, with green hydrogen making up only a small portion of total production.

The current high costs of green hydrogen, coupled with the lack of infrastructure for its centralized distribution within most countries, highlights a significant technology gap. Nevertheless, water electrolysis powered by renewable energy for H2 generation will ultimately play a crucial role in the energy transition within the future energy matrix, however, the immense demand and reliance on this method will necessitate new approaches to meet the established targets.

Thus, creating an opportunity for alternative technologies capable of generating sustainable, low-carbon hydrogen to play a critical role in the future energy landscape, meeting this growing demand as the energy transition accelerates.

This research project focuses on advancing artificial photosynthesis technology, using solar energy to convert waste into sustainable energy, focusing specifically on the production of low-carbon hydrogen from biomass feedstocks. While hydrogen generation is one of the most challenging areas in the field of artificial photosynthesis, it holds immense potential to impact and contribute to the Net Zero Energy Transition.

Maximizing this potential depends on developing multifunctional, efficient systems. This project will concentrate on designing photo(electro)catalytic systems for solar-driven hydrogen production, employing a bilateral approach within reactor engineering. With aim of creating a system that maximises light distribution through optimizing solar energy capture and utilisation by integrating photovoltaics with photocatalysis technology, to deliver both biomass-to-hydrogen conversion and renewable energy generation.

While solar-driven hydrogen remains a primary objective within the photocatalysis field, current efforts largely focus on material development and reaction kinetics rather than reactor technology. This project aims to focus exclusively on reactor design to directly bridge that gap by demonstrating that solar-driven hydrogen can be achieved through design of innovative photocatalytic reactor systems.

The research will encompass reactor modelling, design, construction, feedstock evaluation, and operational testing under solar conditions.

Additionally, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will provide a comprehensive and holistic evaluation of the system as well as help identify key research priorities to ensure the developed system drives the technology forward with aim of advancing the technology's readiness levels (TRL). By combining experimental design with systems analysis, this twin-track approach will directly support the progression of photo(electro)catalytic biomass-to-hydrogen processes.

The inclusion of Life Cycle Assessment, which is seldom explored in this field, will provide concrete, tangible evidence to support the advancement of the TRL status and ensure the research remains on course to bridge the gap towards developing sustainable photo(electro)catalytic technology for low-carbon hydrogen production through utilisation of biomass feedstocks to align with net-zero needs and targets.

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