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Photo-electrochemical (PEC) devices allow for converting solar energy into chemical energy and for the production of energetically dense solar fuels. Light absorption, charge separation and transport, electrochemical reactions, and ionic transport are required in such devices, all processes happening simultaneously. PEC devices - compared to competing, conventional PV-electrolysis systems - offer the promise of less complexity in design and implementation and more flexibility in their use. Nevertheless, PEC devices' economic and performance competitiveness is not well understood, given their low technology readiness level. No study has considered accurate multi-physical, multi-scale, and multi-dimensional performance models, degradation aspects, and uncertainty in the performance and cost metrics. Addressing some of these unknowns and focusing on the conversion of solar energy into two different solar fuels (H2 from water and CO from CO2), the objective of this thesis is threefold: (i) conduct a system-level techno-economic analysis based on a systematic and physical performance model (including degradation), and address uncertainty via a probabilistic approach (Monte Carlo (MC) method); (ii) based on the insight gained from the techno-economic analysis, identify most promising design and operational principles, substantiated by experimental investigation of an example case to assess practical feasibility; and (iii) develop two intricate multi-dimensional, multi-physical models: one for an innovative PEC device designed to operate with water vapor, and the other for a PEC device utilizing concentrated solar light engaged in the conversion of CO2 to CO. Overall, this thesis provides a combination of experimental demonstration and simulation tools to conduct feasibility studies, predict costs, and provide design guidelines and operational conditions for PEC devices in diverse electrochemical processes. This scope extends the use of PEC devices beyond the traditional liquid water splitting reaction, encompassing applications such as water vapor splitting, energy storage, and CO2 reduction.

Growing interest of the European Union to introduce new emission regulations seeking to lower the particle cut-off size down to the current limit set at 23 nm, has made crucial to achieve an extensive comprehension on their nature. In this regard, it is necessary to deepen their knowledge under different engine technologies, operating conditions, fuel properties and after-treatment devices and how their measure is affected by the sampling and dilution procedure. This paper provides a study on the sub-23 nm particles emitted from a small direct/port fuel injection, spark ignition engine fueled with gasoline, ethanol and a 30% v/v ethanol/gasoline blend, at different operating conditions. Particles were measured both upstream and downstream of a three-way catalyst. The conditions of the sampling were changed in order to investigate the volatile organic fraction. For this purpose, the exhaust gas sample was diluted through a Particulate Measurement Programme compliant system. The temperature of the first dilution stage and of evaporation chamber were changed to discriminate the volatile compounds by enhancing the condensation and the nucleation processes. An engine Exhaust Particle Sizer was used for the sizing and the counting of the particles in the range 5.6-560 nm. The results show a strong dependence of the sub-23 nm particle emissions from the engine operating condition and the fuel type. A moderate impact of the three-way catalyst was instead observed. Moreover, a significant effect of the dilution parameters in the sampling system was noted pointing out the importance to define an appropriate protocol for the measurement of the sub-23 nm particles.

The semiconducting hybrid-organic inorganic halide perovskites have excellent optical and electronic properties that attract the interest of scientists and researchers. Perovskite solar cells have seen the most rising-rate in the chart of solar cell efficiency from 3 to over 25% in less than ten years. In the last three years, most researchers have been focusing on the α-FAPbI3-based perovskite solar cells due to having a lower bandgap (1.45 eV) which is closer to the Shockley-Queisser optimum (1.1- 1.4eV) to gain high efficiency. A distinctive feature of FAPbI3 is that it is more thermally stable compared to MAPbI3. However, the α-FAPbI3 perovskite is not stable at room temperature as it converts to the undesirable Ύ-phase. The 2D- Ruddlesden-Popper-phase-doped 3D FAPbI3 enhancing the stability of the structure, albeit the bandgap is increased rendering a less optimal bandgap. The main achievement of this thesis is discovering that the doping of FAPbI3 with large alkyl ammonium moieties enhances efficiency and stability while maintaining the bandgap of pure α-FAPbI3 perovskite phase. I describe the resulting composition by the formula (A)xFAPbI3, where A represents the large alkyl ammonium iodide species. I study the stabilization of α-FAPbI3 via doping with 5-amino valeric acid hydroiodide (AVAI). By using solid-state NMR, we demonstrate the atomic-level interaction between this molecular modulator and the perovskite lattice and propose a structural model of the stabilized three-dimensional structure, further aided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We find the presence of AVAI produces highly crystalline films with large, micrometer-sized grains and enhanced charge-carrier lifetimes, as probed by transient absorption spectroscopy. Optical measurements confirm that there is no effect on the bandgap of FAPbI3 after doping. The devices based on (AVAI)0.25FAPbI3 exhibit superior operational stability in comparison with neat FAPbI3 while achieving power conversion efficiency of 19%. A similar approach based on benzylammonium iodide (BzI) has been used. The structural and optical characterization of films based on (BzI)xFAPbI3 composition demonstrate that there is no 2D phase forming under these conditions. Moreover, solid-state NMR results show BzI interacting on the atomic level with α-FAPbI3 by binding to the 3D perovskite through hydrogen bonding interaction and stabilizing it against the detrimental α-to-Ύ phase transition. Perovskite solar cells based on the (BzI)0.25FAPbI3composition achieve power conversion efficiencies exceeding 20%, which is accompanied by enhanced shelf-life and operational stability, maintaining 80% of the performance after one year at ambient conditions. Finally, films based on (BzI)0.25FAPbI3 compositions are further investigated upon aging under the ambient conditions, as they show an unexpected transition from black to red color without transition to expected yellow Ύ phase, unlike the reference FAPbI3. I perform different measurements to investigate the nature of this red phase as a function of annealing temperature compare these properties to the corresponding Ruddlesden-Popper phase (Bz2FAn-1PbnI3n+1). The red phase was found to be a mixture of a 2D phase (n = 2) Bz2FAPb2I7 and Ύ-FAPbI3, which acts as a barrier to the α-to-Ύ phase transition.

Task T1.1 - ‘Work plan, Coordination and Document Management’ of ASTEP project is devoted to the project planning, coordination and management. This deliverable summarizes the overall progress of the project during the first reporting period, which covers the project execution from the beginning to month M18. After describing the overall objectives of the project, the deliverable presents the objective of each work package, paying special attention to the main results expected and obtained from them. The progress in WP1, of crosscutting nature, is quantified at 38%. Regarding the design technical work packages, WP2 is finished, while progress in WP3 & WP4 is 90%, and in WP5 is 85%. The work in WP6 and WP7, which focus on the testing and use-cases, respectively, is starting, so the progress is small (2%). Progress of WP8, which started at M6 and finalises at M46, is adequate (10%) despite the termination of participation of VERTECH (responsible partner) and the corresponding amendment. Finally, the progress of WP9, also of crosscutting nature, is 38%. The status of the deliverables is good. Some of them have been merged and/or slightly delayed with the approval of the Project Officer. The deliverable also analyses the project impact up to the moment, paying special attention to the identified Key Exploitable Results (three up to the moment) and the dissemination activities (7 technical contributions and 16 non-technical ones). The performance of the website and social media is also commented upon. Afterwards, the use of resources is presented. Workload in terms of person-month shows, overall, a good agreement with the estimations in the Grant Agreement. This agreement is also found in the use of financial resources related to the personnel costs. Other costs are still low due, on the one side, to the pandemic situation with travel restrictions and, on the other hand, to the fact that activities related to the construction and commissioning of components have not started yet. Finally, the main deviations are commented upon. They include both deviations in activities within the tasks and in the use of resources.

Goal of this deliverable is to document ASTEP’s exploitation plan. It is identified as D9.5 and entitled “Exploitation Plan” and it is the result of activities performed in WP9 and specifically under Task 9.4 “Exploitation Strategy”. The Exploitation Plan explains how the Consortium will communicate the most important outcomes from ASTEP project, not only throughout its duration but also after the end of the project. According to the individual project results expected from each partner, the Consortium has commonly agreed to the following two KERs: KER 1 SUNDIAL SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTOR KER 2 NEW DESIGN OF PCM INSERTS FOR THERMAL STORAGE APPLICATIONS Analytical descriptions of those two KERs included in Sections 3 and 4 and consist of the Characterization table, Risk Assessment and Priority Map, Exploitation Roadmap and Use Options. This document unfolds the Exploitation Rules of ASTEP project and provides an action plan that includes the Exploitation Plan of the project. During the development of the project and as the research activities progresses and produces tangible results, important questions arise regarding the management of results. These questions are answered by the Exploitation Plan and are the following: What? Definition of exploitable results. Who? Identification of the Partners that will be benefited from each result. How? Exploitation methodology and tools for each result. When? Time schedule and deadlines for each exploitation activity. Moreover, this Deliverable, as it is part of the ASTEP project that has interactions between tasks and Work Packages, will refer also to the general arrangements regarding Intellectual Property Rights. The interaction of the Exploitation Plan with the Dissemination and Communication Plan foreseen in the ASTEP project will be also described. The aim of this Deliverable is to explain in details the strategy that will be followed for the successful exploitation of the project’s results. This Deliverable is a dynamic document, with 6 months periodic updates that are in line with the progress and the emerging results of the project. The final Exploitation Plan is submitted at the end of the project (M48).

Most households in sub-Saharan Africa rely on wood-based cooking fuels and their number is expected to rise. Despite this, national and subnational energy policies often neglect biomass cooking fuels. A Formative Scenario Analysis process is applied to show how the cooking fuel sector in Kilimanjaro Region (Tanzania) and Kitui County (Kenya) might evolve by 2030. In order to provide relevant knowledge for potential energy policies, this paper aims to identify the main drivers impacting the cooking fuel sector, and to assess and explore current and future demand and supply potential of biomass cooking fuels. Our results show that policies have the potential to substantially impact the future mix of cooking fuels and to foster or hamper the use of efficient cooking fuel technologies. Half of Kilimanjaro Region’s households could be supplied with biogas; in Kitui County, wood-based cooking fuels is likely to remain dominant but improving the efficiency of the technologies would reduce the demand for wood considerably. Hence, we argue that energy policies should explicitly consider biomass cooking fuels and endeavour to make this sector more sustainable and that priority should be given to increasing the sustainability of the biomass cooking fuel sector. Key leverage points to do so are improving the access to improved biomass technologies and capacity building.

As part of the EU H2020 Blue-Cloud project activities are undertaken for developing and deploying a Blue-Cloud cyber infrastructure with smart federation of multidisciplinary data repositories, analytical tools, and computing facilities. This infrastructure will facilitate exploration and demonstration of the potential of cloud based open science, supporting research for understanding and better managing the many aspects of ocean sustainability, ranging from sustainable fisheries to ecosystem health to pollution, in support of the EU Green Deal and also in connection with UN Decade of the Oceans and G7 Future of the Oceans initiatives. This document provides an initial version and guidance towards the delivery of a final Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan for the Blue-Cloud assets. While these Blue-Cloud assets are still under development, the process of defining the way forward for their future exploitation after Project end (2022) will benefit from an early consideration and discussion, engaging all Project Partners. Also, additional input from external stakeholder dialogue and consultations as being undertaken in the framework of the Blue-Cloud Roadmap to 2030 development needs to be taken into account. The Roadmap analyses will provide recommendations for the future capitalization and further development of the results of the Blue-Cloud Project in the medium (2025) and long-term (2030). This document is the first release of the Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan and it gives present understanding as well as will serve as guiding framework for further analyses, discussion, and identifying the key elements that will need to be addressed during the remainder of the Project with input and feedback from all Partners. This process should deliver the 2nd and final release of the Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan by July 2022. The goal of the final Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan is at one hand, to define an exploitation model and to secure with partners the operation and exploitation of the Blue-Cloud results in the 3 years following the project end, and on the other hand, to explore and pave the way to longer sustainability, supported by major stakeholders. For the latter there is clear synergy and interaction with the Blue-Cloud Roadmap 2030 development. Moreover, sustainability perspectives will motivate partners to ensure and commit to the planned short-term operation and exploitation. The path to definition of the Blue-Cloud sustainability model is a process founded on 3 main pillars, supported by the project outcomes and research results and obtained with a consortium-wide commitment: Pillar 1: problem/solution fit and vision/solution fit of the Blue-Cloud framework ��� demonstrating ability to solve needs of target end-users, moving up the MRL (Market Readiness Level) scale to show proof of traction. This pillar is equivalent to MRL 5 and 6 ("open beta with pipeline customers" and "market traction"). Pillar 2: demonstrating customer understanding of Blue-Cloud, gathering evidence of satisfaction through validation scoring and marketing evidence of concrete benefits gained (e.g. testimonials from pilots and their users; subsequently through the open pilot stream). Equivalent to MRL 7 ("proof of satisfaction: both for customers and within the team"). Pillar 3: Proof of scalability with evidence of satisfied market needs and evidence of willingness to cover resources needed for a post-project continuation of services. Equivalent to MRL8 ("proof of scalability") demonstrated through the Blue-Cloud joint exploitation plan. Throughout its duration, Blue-Cloud will seek for demonstration of early market traction, which it will subsequently transform into a business plan. For this purpose, the current workplan of the Blue-Cloud project includes not only scientific and technical developments on the planned Blue-Cloud services, but also extensive activities for marketing and promotion of the Blue-Cloud assets to all major stakeholders, from project partners, targeted users, and potential funders. This includes activities for evaluating the defined MRL through KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) on the market penetration and the fitness of the market model for establishing a stable position, demonstrating incremental growth and anticipated added-values and impacts. Therefore, this initial Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan identifies and describes all elements which are considered relevant. Also, it identifies where further activities are needed to provide firm answers and decisions. The document starts with describing the overall methodology and process that have been followed to prepare this plan, making optimal use of the Horizon Result Booster (HRB) instrument of the EU and provided business consultancy services, while engaging all Blue-Cloud beneficiaries in the process. It continues with sketching the European marine data landscape and the foreseen position of the Blue-Cloud platform and its services. The overall aims and concept are formulated, and a description is given of the planned Blue-Cloud services, the so-called Key Exploitable Results (KER). Next, an initial market analysis is worked out, reporting on the results of a Joint Workshop with Blue-Cloud beneficiaries to draft a Lean Canvas Business Model, and identifying different Blue-Cloud stakeholders and their interest and potential benefits. This is followed by giving an overview of the Marketing Media Mix (MMM), an extensive portfolio of marketing and promotion activities, which is applied in the Blue-Cloud project, since its start, to reach out to potential stakeholders and to make them aware and informed about the Blue-Cloud developments and resulting services and to collect KPIs relevant for the three pillars (see above). The next chapter looks into the organization of management and operation of each of the planned Blue-Cloud services and the associated roles and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of beneficiaries. Although this is still premature, since the majority of Blue-Cloud services are under development, whereby the organisation of their exploitation is still to be determined. Next, categories of costs for the exploitation phase are explored, followed by assessing the expected added-values and impacts of the Blue-Cloud services for different stakeholders and considering ways for measuring these as KPIs. Overall, the Blue-Cloud philosophy is not to aim for commercial services, but for public services, which are valued and appreciated by authorities, such as EU and Member States as major stakeholders, in a positive balance. This requires achieving success towards potential users and collecting convincing evidence of usage and impacts (see three pillars above). Aligned with this, another interactive Joint Workshop with all Blue-Cloud beneficiaries was held to brainstorm about these added-values and impacts and ways for monitoring. Finally, a draft is given of the initial exploitation and sustainability strategy and a summary of actions, which need to be deployed in the remaining project period in order to provide further answers and insights. This initial Services Exploitation and Sustainability Plan makes use of a number of already available Blue-Cloud deliverables [1], [2], [3], and [4], and the insights that these provide. Also use is made of the discussions between Blue-Cloud WP6 core partners in their regular WP6 meetings. And a lot of synergy is found in the activities and discussions for formulating a Blue-Cloud Roadmap 2030 with ambitions for the medium and long term, and organising input and engagement from major stakeholders for a future upscaling and funding of the Blue-Cloud services, aiming for a long-term sustainability and expansion of the Blue-Cloud initiative, e.g. by means of a portfolio of EU funded projects and synergies with other projects and initiatives. Complementary, the Blue-Cloud exploitation and sustainability plan is aiming for making arrangements for securing the short term (3 years after the project) with an outlook to the medium term. For that reason, the Blue-Cloud Service Exploitation and Sustainability Plan aims for developing a set of agreements between the respective Blue Cloud operators, in which they will guarantee that each of the Blue-Cloud services will be kept operational and available for use by researchers for at least 3 years after the Blue-Cloud project end, under prevailing conditions. However, currently there are still a number of questions which need to be answered as part of planned project activities. These should give sufficient input for completing the exploitation and sustainability insights and upgrading this initial plan into a final plan, Deliverable D6.5, as planned later near the end of the Blue-Cloud project.

The important task (NBI neutral beam injector for fusion) and the complexity of radiofrequency ion source need large tests (as ELISE and SPIDER) and intermediate scale tests (as NIO1 in this poster) for optimization. Conditioning (with gas) was found necessary in Cs-free operation. Cs-based operation has begun: stability improves at lower oven temperature; in both cases, lateral view cameras show beam quality. Energy recovery plugin almost ready for NIO1 (or at a test station at TRIPS).

The vulnerability of floodplain forests, a critically sensitive global ecosystem, is exacerbated by both hydrological management practices and the escalating frequency and severity of drought events caused by climate change. This issue is particularly acute in Central European floodplain forests, where river regulation and reduced groundwater levels have markedly contributed to increased water deficits and intensified drought conditions, causing forest growth decline, species dieback and shifts in forest composition. In this study, we utilized tree-ring measurements from pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.) across four sites with varying groundwater levels. This approach allowed us to assess the impact of artificial groundwater modifications and drought conditions in their growth, providing valuable insights into the resilience and adaptation of these species. Our study indicates that the most determining drivers of tree-growth are hydrological parameters such as groundwater levels and drought indices while temperature alone was less important for tree growth. However, we observed species-specific growth responses to these environmental drivers. In particular, Q. robur exhibited a greater adaptability to climatic variables, with a weaker relationship of tree-ring width to climate compared to F. angustifolia, which demonstrated a stronger dependence on hydroclimatic variables and appeared to feature a higher drought susceptibility. Our findings also reveal that radial growth during the vegetation period relies on different water sources - in spring, growth is primarily driven by precipitation, while groundwater levels become more critical in summer and autumn. Overall, our study underscores the significant threat posed to floodplain forests by both groundwater modifications and the escalating frequency of drought events. However, not all floodplain species are equally adaptable to these environmental changes, exhibiting varied responses and vulnerability.