The European Commission has awarded a combined €8m in Horizon Europe funding to two groundbreaking projects that could transform how we capture and convert liquid energy into solar fuel.
SUN-PERFORM and Solar to Butanol (S2B) aim to develop highly efficient bio-inspired solar fuel technologies that could significantly reduce Europe’s carbon emissions while creating new green industry opportunities.
These innovative approaches specifically target hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation and shipping, where traditional renewable solutions have struggled to make significant inroads.
Bio-inspired approaches to solar fuel production
The projects have been funded under the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01-04, which supports the development of advanced biochemical, bio-inspired, or biomimetic approaches to enhance light harvesting and carbon fixation significantly.
The goal is to accelerate the conversion of solar energy into high-yield, cost-effective fuel molecules. The initiative targets advanced solar fuel other than hydrogen, focusing on scalability, sustainability, safety, and economic viability, integrating seamlessly with existing solar technologies and broader renewable energy systems.
Both initiatives will run for four years, with demonstration results expected by 2028.
SUN-PERFORM: Maximising light conversion
Coordinated by Wageningen University in the Netherlands, SUN-PERFORM is developing innovative biohybrid technologies that combine advanced nanocrystals, designed to maximise light capture, with genetically engineered microalgae optimised for solar fuel production.
The aim is to improve solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency fourfold, making it suitable for scalable, industrial applications.
“With SUN-PERFORM, our aim is to contribute effectively to solving challenges in hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation and maritime shipping, areas where sustainable fuel alternatives are most urgently needed,” explained Dr Sarah D’Adamo, Project Coordinator and Assistant Professor at Wageningen University.
Solar to Butanol: Advanced solid-state cell factories
Solar to Butanol focuses on the direct conversion of solar energy and atmospheric CO₂ into butanol using genetically engineered photosynthetic microbes and advanced nature-based materials.
The project is developing solid-state photosynthetic biocatalysts by 3D printing hybrid films that embed photosynthetic cells within functional hydrogel-based materials.
These long-lived, sustainable bioproduction platforms aim to improve light-to-fuel conversion and CO₂ fixation efficiency significantly.
“S2B is creating nature-inspired technology that is not only efficient, but also cost-effective and scalable,” said Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, the project’s coordinator.
Shared visions for a fossil fuel-free future
Both SUN-PERFORM and Solar to Butanol exemplify Europe’s dedication to a fossil-free future and the development of innovative solutions for clean energy and sustainable fuel production.
Both projects are grounded on photosynthetic principles and share the common goal of advancing solar fuel technologies, improving sustainability, and enabling scalable solutions.
While SUN-PERFORM focuses on producing key lipids (TAGs), which can be converted into biodiesel or sustainable aviation fuels through established processes, S2B targets the direct synthesis of drop-in fuel butanol.
Together, these pioneering projects mark a significant step toward realising the European Union’s vision for a climate-neutral future, accelerating the transition to sustainable solar-driven fuels through scientific excellence and cross-border collaboration.
