Within the Energy program, processes and equipment are developed involving the entire value chain. This is spread across six projects:
Energy 01: 3D Battery Pilot Line
Energy 02: Next gen equipment for batteries and battery materials
Energy 03: Plasma Conversion of Methane
Energy 08: Third Generation Electrolyzers
Energie 10: Mass production van Zero Emission Fuels micro-plants for afordable solar fuel
Overview of our projects
Energy 01
3D Battery Pilot Line Production
This project is developing revolutionary 3D solid-state battery technology that is 100% safer and 50% lighter, with at least 200% greater capacity than current advanced Li-ion batteries. The goal is to establish a unique R&D pilot production line with a capacity of 10-20 MWh per year for the development and optimization of this new generation of batteries. This line will be implemented with custom equipment and processes, developed by 11 collaborating partners. The project's activities are divided into six work packages, focusing on system specifications, design, realization, and integration, with clearly defined milestones and KPIs to monitor progress and results.
Energy 02 focuses on developing advanced battery technologies with new materials and production processes to reduce costs and improve performance. It targets next-generation batteries using silicon anode materials and both liquid and solid electrolytes, contributing to higher capacity, longer lifespan, faster charging times, and increased safety. The developed technologies will be tested on a small scale to validate their applicability in advanced battery systems, allowing the Netherlands to play a leading role in the production of the next generation of energy storage systems.
Energy 02
Next-gen Equipment for batteries and battery materials
Energy 03
Plasma conversion methane
Within Energy 03, we are developing advanced plasma technologies for the electrification of production processes traditionally dependent on fossil fuels, with significant potential for CO2-free production. The goal is to demonstrate and scale modular systems that use plasma for the efficient conversion of methane into hydrogen and valuable hydrocarbons such as acetylene and ethene, which are crucial for large-scale chemical processes and recycling/upcycling applications. This technology will not only contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions but also to the economic valorization of by-products in chemical and recycling processes. The project also includes the development of technologies for the integration of green electricity, paving the way for more sustainable industrial processes and the production of hydrogen with lower energy costs than traditional methods.
This project focuses on the development of modular, scalable hydrogen production systems based on alkaline electrolysis technology, adaptable locally to available green energy sources such as sun and wind. The goal is to provide a cost-efficient, ecologically sustainable, and reliable solution for decentralized hydrogen production, responding flexibly to local energy availability and demand. This system will be used, among other things, for fuel cell vehicles, as a raw material for chemical processes, and for industrial applications. The project combines research into electrochemical cells, system architectures, and production techniques to develop and demonstrate a prototype of an electrolyzer system optimized for various decentralized applications.
Energy 07
PHOENIX-Alkalina
Energy 08
Third generation electrolyzer
By 2030, factories throughout Europe will be producing green hydrogen from electricity, supported by the energy-intensive industry's transition to hydrogen from renewable sources. However, current electrolyzer technologies must be significantly improved in terms of efficiency, material usage, and cost. Energy08 focuses on the radical redesign of electrolyzers, using advanced nanotechnologies and custom-made microstructures to achieve optimal process efficiency. This approach aims for a drastic reduction in energy and material consumption and cost.
The ZEF micro-plant is an advanced, modular facility developed for the production of methanol from solar energy and air, capturing CO2 and water directly from the air. Connected to solar panels, the installation consists of a system for CO2 and water capture, an alkaline electrolyzer for high-pressure hydrogen production, and a dynamic reactor that converts hydrogen with CO2 into methanol. This methanol, a bulk chemical, can be used directly as a sustainable fuel for ships or in fuel cells, offering a circular solution contributing to CO2 emissions reduction. Energy10 aims for the mass production of these micro-plants for installation in large solar farms. This also includes the further development and validation of the micro-plant and establishing a production/assembly line for large-scale production.