DESIRED – Direct co-processing of CO2 and water to sustainable multicarbon energy products in a novel photocatalytic reactor

Solar fuels, produced via solar driven CO2 and water conversion can contribute to drastically reducing GHG emissions and implement a man-made carbon-cycle complementing the natural-one, deploying the circular economy strategy. However, at present, significant improvement in the photocatalysts and reactor technology is required for solar fuels’ production to become technically feasible, scalable, affordable, secure, sustainable, and efficient.

DESIRED aims to apply a novel fuel production system – the DESIRED system – to directly process atmospheric CO2 and water to produce high-carbon (C2+) energy products using sunlight as the primary energy source. Novel and recyclable photoelectrocatalysts are used in an optimized reactor design with optimized rheology and using direct solar radiation. At the end of the project, an optimized photocatalytic reactor will be available.

DESIRED promotes an interdisciplinary approach undertaken by a consortium of 7 European partners, which is characterized by cross-cutting activities, including modeling, process simulation, sustainability and techno-economic assessment, as well as effective dissemination, communication, capacity building and exploitation activities.