Artificial Photosynthesis: Potential and Reality, study performed for the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
Artificial photosynthesis (AP) is considered among the most promising new technologies able to deliver sustainable alternatives to current fuel supplies, often viewed as a potential “game changer” in the fields of energy conversion and energy production. AP can be used to produce hydrogen or carbon-based fuels – collectively referred to as “solar fuels” – that offer an efficient and transportable store of (solar) energy, which can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels and as a feedstock for a wide-range of industrial processes.
Set against the above background, the purpose of this study was to provide a full assessment of the situation of AP, providing answers to the questions: Who are the main European and global actors in the field? What is the “state of the art” and what are the main “bottlenecks” in scientific and technological development? What are the key economic and technological parameters to accelerate industrial implementation? Answers to the questions provide, in turn, the basis for formulating recommendations on the pathways to follow and the action to take to maximize the eventual market penetration and exploitation of AP technologies.
To gather information on the direction, capacities and challenges of ongoing AP development activities, the study has conducted a comprehensive review of scientific and other literature and implemented a survey of academics and industrial players. This information, together with findings from a series of in-depth interviews, provides the basis for a multi-criteria analysis to identify key bottlenecks for the main AP technology pathways. The study findings were validated at a participatory workshop of leading European AP researchers, which also identified scenarios and sketched out roadmaps for actions to support the future development of AP technologies over the short to long term.
For further information you may download the final report of the study.
