Photo: Colourbox

DTU leading major project on future EU energy research

Energy Solar energy Energy production Energy systems
New European project headed by DTU to set the framework for the future of EU energy funding and research based on new catalysis methods.

The European Commission just allocated EUR 1 million for DTU’s Energy-X project, which will help prepare the future large EU initiatives within energy research.

Professor Jens Nørskov from DTU is in charge of the consortium behind Energy-X, which involves a total of 13 European universities and research institutions as well as 29 major businesses.

The focus of the project is to solve one of the biggest challenges of our time, namely obtaining sufficient energy and materials for Earth’s growing population while also reducing the carbon footprint and environmental impact.

The basis for the project is a series of new catalysis methods that convert solar energy into chemical forms, which must then be made efficient enough to be used in the production of the many materials that we currently produce from fossil fuels.

“I’m thrilled that Denmark and DTU have the opportunity through Energy-X to influence the future EU efforts in the entire energy sector. We hold a strong position within energy research, and with the future EU initiatives we will hopefully succeed in creating solutions that can realise the dream of a fossil-free society,” says Provost Rasmus Larsen.

"The goal of Energy-X is to gather knowledge, technologies, and expertise from all over Europe to overcome the final challenges of achieving efficient energy conversion."
Professor Jens Kehlet Nørskov, DTU

Shared European platform
Initially, the funds granted will be used to create a platform for the leading European researchers, businesses, and organizations in the field.

“The goal of Energy-X is to gather knowledge, technologies, and expertise from all over Europe to overcome the final challenges of achieving efficient energy conversion. Rather than working with the knowledge and expertise at the individual research institutions, businesses, and organisations individually, we will unite the European forces and thus improve our chances of succeeding with the new solutions,” says Jens Nørskov.

The grant received by Energy-X is a so-called CSA grant (Coordination and Support Action). An initial task will therefore be to promote the project.

The Energy-X consortium is expected to establish an entire ecosystem of universities, businesses, industry organizations and NGOs during this next year, and the project must also gather support from both the Directorates-General of the European Commission and the individual European countries.