SUNER-C

Project description

The overarching objective of the SUNER-C CSA proposal is to aggregate fragmented knowledge and develop the framework conditions to overcome scientific, technological, organizational and socioeconomic challenges to accelerate innovation and enable the required transition of technologies for solar fuels and chemicals from laboratory or demonstrator level to large-scale industrial and broad societal application.

SUNER-C is a new EU-funded CSA (Coordination and Support Action) under the umbrella of SUNERGY community. This CSA, with 4M € funding for 3 years that started on June 1st 2022, will enable the creation of an innovation ecosystem, develop a technological roadmap and prepare for a large-scale research and innovation (R&I) initiative on solar fuels and chemicals.

The sustainable manufacturing of solar fuels and chemicals at the needed scale using a circular economy approach is in sight, but not yet reach without a concerted action between academia, industry, governments, and societal stakeholders. A large-scale, joint action is urgently needed to speed up innovation, and to further develop existing and future relevant technologies. SUNER-C aims at fulfilling this gap by laying the foundation stone for a Large-Scale Research and Innovation (LRSI) initiative at the European level for a decisive push towards circular economy, EU sovereignty and climate change mitigation.

The consortium is formed of 30 industry, academic, societal and network organizations in 12 countries. The consortium partners will work on community building, shaping a technological roadmap, portfolio of EU projects, coordination with other EU initiatives, international cooperation and preparing a large-scale R&I initiative. This CSA will allow stakeholders to connect and collaborate towards the development of solar fuels and chemicals.