Energy Projects

Energy Projects

The focus of our energy research lies at the interface of materials design for solar energy capture, conversion, storage and utilisation. Our group expertise span from designing heterostructured catalysts to effectively harvest solar light and translating these findings into greener manufacturing processes, involving hybrid photo-electro-thermal catalysis such as for transforming CO2 and water into valuable chemicals and energy feedstock. We also work on development of solar batteries/capacitors for efficient capture of sunlight, for storage and on-demand release.

Below are the list of some of the projects we are currently working on:

  • Battery materials and technologies (ARC funded project)

Energy Projects

PVE schematic
Highly efficient and low cost photovoltaic-electrolysis (PVE) system to generate hydrogen by harvesting the full spectrum of sunlight
Photovoltaic electrolysis (PVE) is a promising approach to produce renewable hydrogen (H2) for export from sunlight and water. The main obstacle to utilising photovoltaic electrolysis to produce H2 is the high cost and modest efficiency. The project aims to lower the cost of renewable hydrogen produced via PVE by improving the energy efficiency of transition metal-based alkaline water electrolysers and the overall solar to hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of PVE systems. This approach is anticipated to lead to the development of an integrated PVE system demonstrating an overall solar-to hydrogen conversion efficiency >30%. ..Read more ...
Process overview of biomass reforming system
Waste Biomass to Renewable Hydrogen
Extracting hydrogen from biomass represents a valuable approach by which a waste organic stream can be transformed into hydrogen (or hydrogen-carriers) for downstream use or as an exportable commodity. This project aims to develop a biomass reforming system capable of extracting hydrogen and/or hydrogen-carriers - such as bio-alcohols and bio-acids - from biomass. The biomass reforming system will comprise a biomass pre-conditioning reactor (BPR) coupled with a flow electrolyser cell (FEC) to produce renewable hydrogen without any carbon dioxide emissions. ..Read more...
Solar Thermal Plant
Solar + Thermal CO2 Methanation
PartCat has developed an integrated system, where photothermal technology is used to run the methanation reaction. Solar heating is the main driving force, with a solar furnace able to heat the sample holder up to 700°C...Read more ....
Two nozzle FSP setup
Dry CO2 Reforming of Methane
The dry reforming of methane to convert CO2 and methane into synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) is another process which is able to produce value-added products from CO2...Read more...
GDE panel
Direct Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Another promising route of CO2 reduction is via electrochemical reduction using catalysis. This method mimics photosynthesis. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) can be carried out in ambient conditions through the application of external bias and provides the opportunity to be coupled with electricity generated from renewable energy resources...Read more...