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WUSTL researchers demonstrate solar-panel-powered microbial electrosynthesis to produce n-butanol from light, CO2 and power

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A team of biologists and engineers modified Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 (TIE-1) so that it can produce a biofuel using only three renewable and naturally abundant source ingredients: carbon dioxide, solar panel-generated electricity and light. We hope that it can be a steppingstone for future sustainable solar fuel production.

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Audi Hungaria starts operation of Europe’s biggest solar roof installation

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The focus lies on the challenges that are key to Audi: decarbonization; water utilization; resource efficiency; and biodiversity. This solar energy park, covering an area of approximately 160,000 square meters, consists of 36,400 solar cells and provides a maximum performance of twelve megawatts.

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UCLA team proposes non-photosynthetic biological conversion of CO2

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Furthermore, the maximum efficiency of solar energy conversion by photosynthesis is 5%, while typical solar panel efficiency reaches 20%. The productivity of photosynthesis is proportional to the surface area exposed to sunlight, a capricious source of energy in many regions. an and Park. 2020.08.007.

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Cambridge researchers develop standalone device that makes formic acid from sunlight, CO2 and water

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The wireless device could be scaled up and used on energy farms similar to solar farms, producing clean fuel using sunlight and water. Harvesting solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into fuel is a promising way to reduce carbon emissions and transition away from fossil fuels. Qian Wang et al.

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SOLAR-JET project demonstrates solar-driven thermochemical conversion of CO2 and water to jet fuel

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SOLAR-JET concentrated thermochemical reactor. The EU-funded SOLAR-JET project has demonstrated the production of aviation kerosene from concentrated sunlight, CO 2 captured from air, and water. The solar reactor consists of a cavity-receiver containing a porous monolithic ceria cylinder. Click to enlarge.

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New highly efficient catalyst for photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction toward methane

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The work, presented in a paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), offers a unique, highly efficient, and inexpensive route for solar fuels synthesis. The solar-powered catalyst is made from abundant materials and works in a configuration that could be mass-produced. 1 under air mass 1.5 —Zhou et al.

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Researchers demonstrate efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2 to C2+ alcohols

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When powered by renewable solar or wind energy sources, the electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) is a promising approach to produce value-added chemicals/fuels and store renewable energy to achieve the goal of net-zero-emissions. 2020.12.011.

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