Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

Assessing Ru-Co photocatalytic assemblies for their ability to generate hydrogen and probing the steps leading to the active catalyst

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Dublin City University (DCU)

Lead Applicant

n/a

Project Abstract

New approaches to the development of sustainable forms of energy are high on political agendas, for a variety of reasons including; climate change, depleting fossil fuels, forecasted population growth and also as a solution to decentralisation of the energy monopoly that currently exists. At present, the main source of energy relies on fossil fuels, which when combusted releases pollutants, most importantly greenhouse gases. Renewable energy sources are growing globally, however, they face a number of challenges including curtailment, operational costs and intermittence. One approach to address these concerns is to use hydrogen as an energy carrier. The amount of power from the sun that strikes the Earth in an hour is more than the entire world consumes in a year. In this project new photocatalysts which can harvest the energy from the sun, will be designed and attached to semiconductor surfaces. Attaching photocatalysts onto semiconductors will be used to develop photoelectrochemical devices for the production of hydrogen using only energy from renewable sources including wind and sunlight. The hydrogen produced can be used in a fuel cells to produce electricity during times of low power production, or by hydrogen driven cars, or injected into the gas network. The use of hydrogen can help balance the grid, and aid in reducing Irelands energy related emissions.

Grant Approved

�109,020.00

Research Hub

n/a

Research Theme

Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

01/09/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

31/08/2026