RELEASE

The energy transition is one of the largest challenges of the coming decades. Characteristic of renewable energy sources such as PV (solar panels) and wind is that the production of electricity is not constant. Production does not always match demand. In order to achieve the targets set for sustainable generation, it is crucial to develop large-scale energy storage, so that supply and demand can be matched to different timescales.

Whilst storage via the electrochemical production of molecules has great potential, but there are still major challenges. The RELEASE programme, funded by the NWO Crossover scheme, meets these challenges. This involves a fundamental understanding of the performance of electrodes and other components of electrochemical cells, as well as the development of complete systems. These concern systems that are not only efficient, but also avoid the use of scarce materials and systems that absorb CO2 directly from the air, converting it into molecules.

RELEASE’s unique selling points are:

• Different technologies (hydrogen, extracting hydrocarbon from CO2, and flow batteries) at varying stages of development (TRL) are being developed simultaneously, allowing optimal cross-fertilisation between fundamental and applied science. This will also make it possible to provide solutions for both the short (2030) and the long term (2050).
• It does not only address technical challenges, but also non-technical ones such as governance, systems integration and public policy.

A consortium of 34 universities, colleges of higher education, research institutes, businesses and public authorities, in cooperation with 6 living laboratories, provides a broad and solid foundation to ensure RELEASE’s success.

Goal

Achieving breakthroughs in the development and application of large-scale energy storage through the electrochemical production of molecules.

Main applicant

Prof. Dr. Paulien Herder, TU Delft

Consortium

The consortium comprises 34 universities, colleges, research institutes, businesses, and governments, in cooperation with 6 living laboratories.

Grant

NWO – Crossover

More information

More information about this project can be found here.