The Photo2Fuel project will develop a breakthrough technology that converts CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals by means of non-photosynthetic microorganisms and organic materials, using only sunlight as an energy source. Photo2Fuel's technology is based on the artificial photosynthesis concept and will use a hybrid system of non-photosynthetic microorganisms and organic photosensitisers to produce acetic acid and methane, using Moorella thermoacetica (bacteria) and Methanosarcina barkeri (archaea) strains, respectively. After optimisation and characterisation, this hybrid non-photosynthetic microorganisms with organic photosensitiser system will be placed into an auto-sufficient photo-micro-reactor running exclusively with sunlight. During the day, natural sunlight will be used, and, during the night, artificial light will be used from previously stored solar energy in batteries (excess sunlight). This approach will guarantee the continuous operation of the photo-micro-reactor. Additionally, a solar concentrator will be coupled to the reactor to maximise conversion and stabilise the production of fuels and chemicals, even with variant solar flux. The Photo2Fuel project will also investigate technologies for the separation of the main products - acetic acid and methane – and deliver solutions to achieve high separation efficiency. The overall sustainability of Photo2Fuel's technology will be analysed, including the environmental, economic, and social aspects. Lastly, the market, barriers, and key stakeholders will be analysed from an end-user perspective, aiming at advancing the technology's TRL-4 after the project completion and, thus, actively supporting the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.

Poroject Lead: IDENER

Region: Europe

Country: Spain

State/Province/Department: Andalusia

City/Town: Sevilla

Timeline Start - End: 2022-09-01 - 2025-08-31

Project Status: Ongoing

Project Budget: 2493171.0 €

Funding source: 100% Horizon Europe

Website: http://photo2fuel.eu/

News Highlights:

- https://www.photo2fuel.eu/news/how-photo2fuel-contributing-sustainable-co2-conversion

CCU Tecnology Category: Utilization

Info On Utilization:

- Electrochemical conversion

- Chemical conversion

- Photochemical conversion

Facility stage: Planning

Start TRL: 2

End TRL: 4

CO2 capture/Utilization:

Production Volume:

Specific Product(s): Biomethane, Acetic Acid