FotoH2 kick-off meeting
The FotoH2 project, “Innovative Photoelectrochemical Cells for Solar Hydrogen Production”, was officially launched during its Kick-off Meeting at the University of Alicante on February 13th and 14th, 2018, with participation from all members of the FotoH2 consortium.
Artificial photosynthesis is one of the most sustainable techniques to obtain hydrogen for use as a fuel from two abundant resources: solar energy and water. The European FotoH2 project, coordinated by the University of Alicante, focuses on the design and development of a photoelectrochemical device capable of the direct conversion of solar energy into chemical energy contained in the bonds of hydrogen molecules.
“Artificial photosynthesis is one of the alternatives that can contribute to reducing our dependence on non-renewable energies. In this context, this project is developing a device for converting solar energy into chemical hydrogen energy through the photoelectrolysis of water. The produced hydrogen is storing easily accessible energy.”, explains the project coordinator, Dr. Roberto Gómez, from the Department of Physical Chemistry of the University of Alicante.
The approach adopted in FotoH2 is highly innovative, especially the planned use of tandem electrodes and the use of polymeric electrolyte membranes, used in other electrochemical devices such as water electrolyzers or fuel cells.
Among other objectives, this project aims to produce pure and dry hydrogen with cells built from affordable and abundant materials. “In order for hydrogen to be economically competitive with conventional technologies, the costs associated with its production must be reduced and, on the other hand, the distributed production and storage must be enabled”, explains the Dr. Gómez.
“It is attractive to address the growing energy demand with renewable energy sources from photochemical water splitting and the accumulation of solar energy,” adds Roberto Gómez.