The PEPPER project introduces a groundbreaking advancement in hydrogen production technology aimed at meeting the soaring global demand for green hydrogen. At the heart of PEPPER lies the development of a cutting-edge planar Proton Conducting Ceramic Electrolysis Cell (PCCEL) reactor. Operating optimally between 400C and 600C, PEPPER's PCCEL technology aligns seamlessly with industrial waste heat sources, maximizing resource utilization. By harnessing two robust planar cell technologies and optimizing material interfaces and manufacturing processes, PEPPER aims to slash electrical energy consumption by up to 20% compared to existing low-temperature electrolysis methods. Led by the Deutsches Zentrum fr Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), PEPPER boasts a consortium includes key European research and industrial partners. This collaborative effort ensures a holistic approach to research and innovation, emphasizing real-world applicability. PEPPER's objectives encompass the fabrication of cells up 100cm in size, the validation of PCCELs under various conditions, the integration into specialized short stacks tailored for PCCEL technology, and the demonstration of long-term operational stability and safety at temperatures 600C. Through comparative studies with Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOEL), PEPPER aims to establish benchmarks for performance and sustainability, guided by comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), setting a pathway towards commercialization. By elevating technological readiness from TRL 2 to TRL 4 PEPPER will set the stage for a future where highly efficient and environmentally sustainable hydrogen production can significantly contribute to Europe's energy security and decarbonization goals.

Among the different electrolysis technologies, AEL is very competitive, because of its low investment costs and good scalability. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) produced by AEL can be reduced by enhancing the efficiency, maximal current densities and by enabling better integration with downstream processes. A well-tuned design of high-pressure stack and system improve the performance and overall efficiency, by eliminating the need for further compression for downstream processes. As compressors for hydrogen represent a significant share of CAPEX and OPEX of electrolysis systems, those can be reduced or eliminated. In this project, the consortium will design and develop an AEL system demonstrator >50 kW, capable of operating at a pressure up to 90 bar, achieved by a novel concept in which the pressurization is done at two stages: by applying up to 60 bar hydraulic pressure using a pressure vessel in which a stack operates at additional 30 bar, resulting in up to 90 bar gas pressure. Integrating advanced components, innovative design, and optimizing operation strategies, through modelling and experimental testing, a system with an efficiency of 70 % (LHV) at a current density of 1 A/cm2 will be demonstrated. With this technology an AEL system will be provided that may lead to major cost reduction of green hydrogen production. The main scientific aims of the project are further supported by sustainability and circularity aspects as well as dedicated outreach activities, and jointly addressed by 2 medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), 4 R&D centres with established expertise in alkaline stack, system and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and one of the largest hydrogen production and utilization companies in the world. Lastly, use cases and the concept of the integrated plant will be proposed. Together, the new developments will target a technology breakthrough with a clear commercial perspective, placing Europe at the lead of highly pressurized AEL technology in 3 years.

Currently there are no portable test or biosensors validated for air, soil or water quality control for pathogens, Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Persistent Mobile Chemicals (PMCs), so such devices are much awaited by all stakeholders to ensure successful control and prevention of contamination and infections. Mobiles consortium will develop an interdisciplinary framework of expertise, and tools for monitoring, detection, and consequently mitigation of pollution from pathogens, CECs, PMCs, thus benefiting human and environmental health. Mobiles consortium will work to achieve the following objectives: Develop electronic biosensors for monitoring organic chemicals (pesticides, hormones) and antimicrobial resistance bacteria and pathogens in water, soil and air; Develop organism-based biosensor for detection of organic and inorganic pollution in water and soil; Study environmental performance of developed organisms and devices; Metagenomics analysis of organisms leaving in polluted areas in order to enable searches for diverse functionalities across multiple gene clusters Perform safety tests (e.g., EFSA) to assess the impact of developed organisms on the natural environment. Organism-based biosensor will consist on genetically modified chemiluminescent bacteria able to detect antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides in water; genetically modified plants that will change colour when in the soil is present arsenic; and marine diatoms that will be used to detect bioplastic degradation in marine and aquatic environments. Developed devices and organisms will be implemented by using flexible technologies, which can guarantee an easy adaptation to other biotic and abiotic pollutants. Devices and organisms, after proper validation and approval, could be used by consumers, inspection services and industry operators, as well as environmental emergency responders to monitor and detect PMCs, CECs and pathogens in water, air and soil

SCARBOn (Space CARbon Observatory Next step) is the continuation of the Horizon 2020 SCARBO project. This multidisciplinary project is carried out by a gender-diverse team, through a consortium including the space industry, SMEs and scientific institutes. It is led from Toulouse, France by Airbus Defence and Space. The SCARBOn system is based on a constellation of small greenhouse gases (GHG) monitoring satellites, flying an innovative miniaturised CO2/CH4 instrument (NanoCarb) together with a coregistered compact aerosol sensor (SPEXone). Together, they will deliver twice-daily accurate global measurements to monitor the diurnal variations of fossil CO2 emission. The objective of the SCARBOn project is to mature the technical and industrial definition of the NanoCarb instrument and of the SCARBOn constellation, targeting an operational system availability before the end of the decade. The design of the NanoCarb instrument will be upgraded and refined following the outcomes of the previous SCARBO study, and its performances will be carefully modelled. An instrument breadboard will provide valuable data during an airborne campaign, which will be used together with modelled data to verify the instrument design. This will allow raising the instrument TRL to at least 5, targeting 6 by the end of the project. Data processing at levels L1 to L4 will validate the concept capability to monitor GHG plumes from space. The constellation concept will also be refined in view of a possible short-term industrial implementation. SCARBOn’s daily CO2 and CH4 anthropogenic emissions monitoring data, based on novel European breakthrough technologies, will be a valuable contributor to the European Commission’s endeavour to fight climate change. As an upside, the monitoring data will foster the development of added-value services and will represent a state-of-the-art European alternative to the burgeoning non-European commercial initiatives.