Solar energy driven processes with H2O and CO2 as basic feedstocks can produce “solar fuels” that could substitute their fossil based counterparts. This article summarizes the main findings of a techno-economic analysis of systems that can generate different types of fuels with renewable energy as starting point. These “renewable fuels”

The new study by the Energy Watch Group and LUT University is the first of its kind to outline a 1.5°C scenario with a cost-effective, cross-sectoral, technology-rich global 100% renewable energy system that does not build on negative CO2 emission technologies. The scientific modelling study simulates a total global energy

Plasmon catalysis is an interesting technology concept for powering chemical processes with light. Here, we report the use of various Al2O3-supported Ru spheroidal nanoparticles as catalyst for the low-temperature conversion of CO2 and H2 to CH4 (Sabatier reaction), using sunlight as energy source. At high loadings of Ru spheroidal nanoparticles

The interaction between plasmonic metal catalysts and visible light can be exploited to increase their catalytic activity. This activity increase results from the generation of hot charge carriers or hot surfaces, or a combination of both. We have studied the light-induced Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of bromobenzene and m-tolylboronic acid using

Methane, which has a high energy storage density and is safely stored and transported in our existing infrastructure, can be produced through conversion of the undesired energy carrier H2 with CO2. Methane production with standard transition-metal catalysts requires high-temperature activation (300–500 °C). Alternatively, semiconductor metal oxide photocatalysts can be used,