Electrochemical Conversion & Materials (ECCM)
It is evident that in our future energy system renewable electricity will play a major role in the transition to a low-CO2 energy supply. This transition is facilitated by the CO2 targets as set by the Dutch government (CO2 neutral in 2050). This requires extensive electrification. In the future, however, there will continue to be a need for fuels (for aviation, shipping and heavy road transport) and for chemical products and materials. These activities and associated production processes are now responsible for over 35% of global CO2 emissions.
There is a great challenge to manufacture these fuels and chemical products through the use of renewable electricity, based on biomass and / or CO2. This can be done with electrochemical conversion. In addition, solutions are needed to tackle the problem of imbalance between production and off-take of electricity by converting electricity into chemicals as an energy carrier using electrochemistry. At the invitation of the top sectors HTSM, Energy and Chemistry, the ElectroChemical Conversion & Materials (ECCM) advisory committee advises what is needed to tackle these challenges.