Imagine turning excess wind or solar power into a stable liquid, like a battery in a tank, by capturing CO2. This liquid can be stored for months without losing energy, unlike traditional batteries that leak power. When you need electricity back, a special fuel cell turns that liquid back into power on demand.
Renewable energy is intermittent, causing price instability and power gaps. Current storage solutions often lack the capacity or stability for long-term seasonal energy shifting.
An integrated prototype (TRL 4) consisting of a CO2-to-potassium formate electrocatalytic reactor and a direct fuel cell for electricity recovery.
If you are a farm operator dealing with intermittent power production and price volatility — this project developed a CO2-to-potassium formate process that stores excess energy for seasonal use. This allows for more predictable electricity prices and stable grid supply.
If you are a factory dealing with high CO2 emissions and energy costs — this project developed an electrocatalytic reactor that converts captured CO2 into a storable energy carrier. This transforms a waste product into a valuable fuel source for on-site power.
If you are a storage provider dealing with the short lifespan of lithium batteries for long-term needs — this project developed a potassium formate storage system that remains stable for long periods in tanks. This enables seasonal energy shifting to balance summer and winter demand.
The project aims to create a cost-competitive process that provides a cushion for intermittent generation, leading to more stable and predictable prices for renewable electricity.
The project focuses on the construction and validation of an integrated prototype at TRL 4, rather than full-scale industrial deployment.
Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing terms are not listed, though the project includes dedicated work packages for exploitation and dissemination.
The stored potassium formate is converted back into electricity on demand using a direct fuel cell system.
The project period runs from 2022-07-01 to 2025-12-31.
The consortium is heavily weighted toward commercial application, featuring a 50% industry ratio with 4 industrial partners and 3 SMEs. This balance, combined with 3 research institutes and 1 university across 6 countries, suggests a strong focus on moving the technology from the lab toward a viable market product.
Contact the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) in Italy
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for TRL 4 formate storage prototypes.
