ENTEG Guest Seminar by Dr. Robin White

ENTEG Guest Seminar by Dr. Robin White

"Routes to Platform Chemicals and Energy Storage"

There are many (inter)national efforts underway to rapidly increase the penetration of renewable energy (RE) generation (e.g. wind and solar) to national grids. These (i.e. daily and seasonally) intermittent sources in general increase uncertainties in energy supply and thus could, along with variations in energy demand, deteriorate the stability of the whole energy system. Therefore appropriate storage measures are necessary to manage supply and demand. In this regard the storage of electrical energy in chemicals offers the potential for high energy density carriers and offers long-term storage options (e.g. in existing infrastructure), at scales relevant to national grid operations (e.g. at the GWh-level). Likewise, as we withdraw from the use of fossil feedstocks for energy carriers, the chemical industry must also respond with regard to minimising emissions and the introduction of sustainable chemical feedstocks, platform molecules, innovative products and sector coupling approaches. This raises the concepts of Circularity, Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU) and Power-to-X (PtX). From this perspective, the use of CO2 as a feedstock in combination with RE (e.g. via water splitting) to produce platform chemicals, and energy storage molecules is a strategic way to assist the transition to a sustainable, circular economy. However, to become feasible (ecologically and/or economically), further R&D efforts are required concerning catalyst performance as complimented by improved process engineering and design, if these technologies are to be taken up by the market. This presentation will highlight and provide an overview of activities currently underway within TNO regarding catalysis R&D aimed to support the further elaboration and establishment of CCU and PtX technologies.