Fuels-C: Transformation of biogenetic waste and VOCs into biofuels for use in fuel cells

An integrated platform of novel, cost-effective and energy-efficient conversion technologies for the production of liquid and gaseous biofuels from sustainable biogenic wastes and for their direct use in fuel cells.

In other words… FUELS-C aims to produce different biofuels, with applications in various types of transport, in the same industrial facility by combining innovative technologies and biogenic waste, leveraging synergies and maximising the energy efficiency and profitability of these facilities.

Advanced biofuels represent an important piece of the puzzle in the EU's quest for climate neutrality, as they contribute to decarbonising the transport sectors and reducing the EU's dependence on fossil fuels. Fuels-C aims to contribute to this quest by increasing the availability of two liquid and two gaseous advanced biofuels for road and maritime transport, produced from biogenic organic waste and CO2. Fuels-C will develop an integrated platform of innovative and energy-efficient conversion technologies validated at TRL5, including bioelectrochemically assisted CH4 production, bioelectrochemical NH3 production, gasification, microbial electrosynthesis and electroreduction. Various biogenic wastes (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) will be converted into CH4, NH3, formic acid and ethanol, via two main production routes, using renewable energy, allowing for efficient storage of surplus energy as chemicals. The 4 biofuels can be used directly as fuels, but Fuels-C will also test them in fuel cells for electricity production: gaseous NH3 and CH4 in SOFC, liquid ethanol and formic acid in DLFC. The power density, energy efficiency and stability of each process will be validated. The technologies will be modelled at the process level, for the description of interfacial phenomena, and at the system level, resulting in a digital twin of integrated processes. This second model, together with a feedstock mapping tool, will provide relevant data for circularity assessment, costing, benchmarking and replication in other relevant use cases. This is expected to create new business opportunities and strengthen EU leadership in science and technology and in the biofuels market. Fuels-C brings together an interdisciplinary consortium composed of leading EU research centres and universities, a large industry providing feedstocks, and four SMEs contributing to the market uptake and global reach of the proposed solution. It will be supported by an international Advisory Board providing strategic advice.