The European Commission has just thrown down the gauntlet in the race for sustainable fuels, backing two audacious projects with a combined €8 million in Horizon Europe funding. SUN-PERFORM and Solar to Butanol (S2B) are set to redefine how we harness and convert solar energy into liquid fuels, targeting sectors that have long resisted the green revolution: aviation and shipping.
These projects, funded under the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01-04, are not just about tinkering at the edges. They aim to revolutionise solar fuel production using bio-inspired approaches, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in light harvesting and carbon fixation. The goal? To create high-yield, cost-effective fuel molecules that can integrate seamlessly with existing solar technologies and broader renewable energy systems.
SUN-PERFORM, coordinated by Wageningen University, is taking a biohybrid approach, marrying advanced nanocrystals with genetically engineered microalgae. The aim is to quadruple solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency, making it viable for industrial-scale applications. “With SUN-PERFORM, our aim is to contribute effectively to solving challenges in hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation and maritime shipping, areas where sustainable fuel alternatives are most urgently needed,” said Dr Sarah D’Adamo, Project Coordinator and Assistant Professor at Wageningen University.
Meanwhile, S2B is tackling the challenge from a different angle. Led by Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, the project is developing solid-state photosynthetic biocatalysts using 3D printing and hybrid films. The goal is to create long-lived, sustainable bioproduction platforms that significantly improve light-to-fuel conversion and CO₂ fixation efficiency. “S2B is creating nature-inspired technology that is not only efficient, but also cost-effective and scalable,” Allahverdiyeva-Rinne asserted.
Both projects are grounded in photosynthetic principles and share a common vision: to advance solar fuel technologies, improve sustainability, and enable scalable solutions. SUN-PERFORM is focusing on producing key lipids that can be converted into biodiesel or sustainable aviation fuels, while S2B is targeting the direct synthesis of drop-in fuel butanol.
The implications of these projects are vast. If successful, they could transform hard-to-electrify sectors, reduce Europe’s carbon emissions, and create new green industry opportunities. Moreover, they could accelerate the transition to sustainable solar-driven fuels, bringing the European Union’s climate-neutral future within reach.
But the real test will be in the execution. Can these projects deliver on their promises? Can they overcome the technical and economic challenges that have hindered solar fuel development in the past? And can they do so in a way that is scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective?
The next four years will be crucial. By 2028, we should have some answers. Until then, the energy sector watches with bated breath, hoping that these projects will be the catalyst for a solar fuel revolution.
