Production of hydrogen with solar light
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The Nanoengineering of Materials Applied to Energy (NEMEN UPC) group has developed a photocatalyst that can produce hydrogen with solar light from contaminated water. The photocatalyst, which contains a titanium oxide semiconductor and small clusters of metals, has been developed through the Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Photogeneration (CMIRA) cooperation project, together with IRCELYON.
This technology enables us to obtain hydrogen in a renewable way with solar light at a low cost, as the process takes place in environmental conditions. The technology has been tested at pilot scale using solar concentrators. Its use has been studied in residential buildings in which the hydrogen that is generated can be mixed with the natural gas that fuels hot water and heating boilers, to reduce the consumption of natural gas and cut atmospheric emissions. In addition to the development of the photocatalyst, the NEMEN group has designed a photoreactor with microchannels for this application.
Related Projects
- Combining agricultural activity and the production of solar energy by means of photovoltaic panels is the aim of SYMBIOSYST, a project promoted by a consortium of 16 European partners including the UPC. As part of this project, technological tools will be developed to contribute to generating clean energy for the agricultural sector in Europe.
- The production of biogas through anaerobic digestion has been increasing exponentially in Europe in recent years. This is because it can be produced locally and has a clear positive effect on waste recycling, the generation of clean energy, sustainable development or climate action. In this context, the FertiLab project was launched, with the participation of researchers from the Department of Agri Food Engineering and Biotechnology (DEAB) of the UPC.
- The flexibility of electrical systems is fundamental in the process of energy transition towards more sustainable energy generation models. The European Commission promotes the development of solutions that respond to the challenges of managing electricity distribution networks in the future energy system based on renewable sources. An increasingly large proportion of fluctuating electricity generators, such as wind and solar systems, makes it difficult to calculate the loads that are being supplied.
- The Centre for Technological Innovation in Static Converters and Drives (CITCEA) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) is participating in the COVHE project, whose aim is to develop an electrical drive system for heavy vehicles based on a hydrogen cell.
