The challenge of utilizing renewable sources to replace existing energy sources in all applications is evident. While the combination of renewable energy and battery storage is considered the most suitable solution for many applications to strive for a carbon-free energy system, it does not directly address the decarbonization of significant industrial sectors such as steel, cement, (petro)chemicals, and heavy transport, which contribute significantly to CO2 emissions. Therefore, EnergyVille has introduced an additional research dimension: ‘power-to-molecules’.
Within the ‘power-to-molecules’ research line, EnergyVille investigates novel technologies to convert energy into molecules, including hydrogen, methane, methanol, or ammonia. These molecules can serve as fuel for sectors such as aviation and shipping or as raw materials to produce polymers and plastics. Global-scale scenario studies indicate that Power-to-X and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) can be crucial technologies for achieving a carbon-free energy system. Hence, they constitute a significant and growing focus of research within EnergyVille.
