Solar fuels and their role in a sustainable energy supply is the focus of a virtual public event organised by the UK Solar Fuels Network, a UKRI-EPSRC SuperSolar Network+ hosted by the University of Liverpool.
Professor Alex Cowan from the University’s Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy is currently the Director of the UK Solar Fuels Network, which aims to raise the profile of the UK solar fuels research community nationally and internationally and to promote collaboration and co-operation with other research disciplines and industry.
Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, the UK Solar Fuels Network and the University of Strathclyde are hosting an event to introduce the field of solar fuels and highlight its potential of the approach to generate sustainable fuels within a zero-emission society.
The virtual public event aims to raise awareness, inform and to engage with diverse communities and it will be of interest to policy makers, industrialists and the general public. During the meeting the Mission Innovation roadmap will be presented, which provides a pathway to deployment of Solar Fuels at scale. Alongside leading speakers from the field there will be an open panel discussion.
Professor Alex Cowan said: “I am delighted that the University is hosting the UK Solar Fuels Network and this public event is one of the ways that the Network is raising awareness of solar fuel technology.”
Event organiser Dr Sebastian Sprick from the University of Strathclyde said “A key driver is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and new technologies are needed that allow for clean energy production towards a zero-emission society. Using the Sun’s energy offers great potential and by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen we obtain a storable fuel that can use existing infrastructure going forward. This technology needs to be made cost-effective and there are challenges in using this process on large scale.
“We will explore and discuss the generation of solar fuels in this public event with internationally leading researchers and representatives of technology consortia to allow participants to form an informed opinion on hydrogen as a renewable alternative in the build-up to COP26.”
Confirmed speakers include Professor James Durrant from Imperial College London, Professor Bert Weckhuysen from SUNERGY, Dr Pau Farràs Costa from SEAFUEL.
The Solar Fuels Network Public Event (Virtual) event runs from 2 pm until 3.40 pm on the 9th September 2021.
Attendance is free of charge but prior registration is required. Registration is through www.solarfuelsnetwork.com/sfn-public-event,