Electricity as a raw material

The energy transition makes it possible to generate electricity with significantly lower CO₂ emissions. If this electricity flows into electrochemical reactions, basic chemicals become accessible for industrial production, for which crude oil was previously used. This opens up new avenues for the development of electricity-controlled production in the chemical industry. Electrochemical processes are becoming key technologies for coupling energy systems with chemical production.

Aim

Nine Fraunhofer Institutes under the leadership of Fraunhofer UMSICHT have pooled their expertise in order to shape the transition towards electricity-controlled production. As part of the lighthouse project "Electricity as a Raw Material", researchers are developing and optimizing new electrochemical processes that synthesize important basic chemicals with renewably generated electricity. The aim of the joint project is to establish new process concepts for efficient, modular and decentralized production plants, thus making the chemical industry more sustainable over the long term.

Milestones

In the lighthouse project, new electrochemical processes are developed, technically demonstrated and their coupling into the German energy system is prepared. The focus lies on two synthesis routes: (1) The decentralized electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and (2) the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to ethene, alcohols, and organic acids.

The development of these synthesis routes is supported by cross-sectional research: These include optimized catalysts, electrode systems, and ion-conducting polymer membranes. In this way, for example, a completely new, cost-effective and environmentally compatible membrane type for electrochemical cells has been developed. Market analysis, modeling tools and new methods for assessing sustainability round off system optimization for electricity-controlled production in the lighthouse project.

"Electricity as a raw material" is designed for a long recycling chain. To this end, innovation interfaces to sectors such as chemicals, plant construction, paper, textiles, recycling, and water are developed using a multi-industry approach.

The Business and Innovation Center (BIC) provides R&D services for industry and society. This creates the Fraunhofer brand world "eSource®", which bundles together all competencies, products, processes, and services relating to electrochemistry and process engineering.