The overall objective of the ANIONE project is to develop a high-performance, cost-effective and durable anion exchange membrane water electrolysis technology. The approach regards the use of an anion exchange membrane (AEM) and ionomer dispersion in the catalytic layers for hydroxide ion conduction in a system operating mainly with pure water. This system combines the advantages of both proton exchange membrane and liquid electrolyte alkaline technologies allowing the scalable production of low-cost hydrogen from renewable sources. The focus is on developing advanced short side chain Aquivion-based anion exchange polymer membranes comprising a perfluorinated backbone and pendant chains, covalently bonded to the perfluorinated backbone, with quaternary ammonium groups to achieve conductivity and stability comparable to their protonic analogous, and novel nanofibre reinforcements for mechanical stability and reduced gas crossover. Hydrocarbon AEM membranes consisting of either poly(arylene) or poly(olefin) backbone with quaternary ammonium hydroxide groups carried on tethers anchored on the polymeric backbone are developed in parallel. The project aims to validate a 2 kW AEM electrolyser with a hydrogen production rate of about 0.4 Nm3/h (TRL 4). The aim is to contribute to the road-map addressing the achievement of a wide scale decentralised hydrogen production infrastructure with the long-term goal to reach net zero CO2 emissions in EU by 2050. To reach such objectives, innovative reinforced anion exchange membranes will be developed in conjunction with non-critical raw materials (CRMs) high surface area electro-catalysts and membrane-electrode assemblies. Cost-effective stack hardware materials and novel stack designs will contribute to decrease the capital costs of these systems. After appropriate screening of active materials, in terms of performance and stability, in single cells, these components will be validated in an AEM electrolysis stack operating with high differential pressure and assessed in terms of performance, load range and durability under steady-state and dynamic operating conditions. The proposed solutions can contribute significantly to reducing the electrolyser CAPEX and OPEX costs. The project will deliver a techno-economic analysis and an exploitation plan for successive developments with the aim to bring the innovations to market. The consortium comprises an electrolyser manufacturer, membrane, catalysts and MEAs suppliers.

In the long haul transport sector, the reduction of real driving emissions and fuel consumption is the main societal challenge. The LONGRUN project will contribute to lower the impacts by developing different engines, drivelines and demonstrator vehicles with 10% energy saving (TtW) and related CO2, 30% lower emission exhaust (NOx, CO and others), and 50% Peak Thermal Efficiency. A second achievement will be the multiscale simulation framework to support the design and development of efficient powertrains, including hybrids for both trucks and coaches. With the proposed initiatives a leading position in hybrid powertrain technology and Internal Combustion Engine operating on renewable fuels in Europe will be guaranteed. A single solution is not enough to achieve these targets. The LONGRUN project brings together leading OEMs of trucks and coaches and their suppliers and research partners, to develop a set of innovations and applications, and to publish major roadmaps for technology and fuels in time for the revision of the CO2 emission standards for heavy duty vehicles in 2022 to support decision making with most recent and validated results and to make recommendations for future policies. The OEMs will develop 8 demonstrators (3 engines, 1 hybrid drivelines, 2 coaches and 3 trucks); within them technical sub-systems and components will be demonstrated, including electro-hybrid drives, optimised ICEs and aftertreatment systems for alternative and renewable fuels, electric motors, smart auxiliaries, on-board energy recuperation and storage devices and power electronics. This includes concepts for connected and digitalised fleet management, predictive maintenance and operation in relation to electrification where appropriate to maximise the emissions reduction potential. The 30 partners will accelerate the transition from fossil-based fuels to alternative and renewable fuels and to a strong reduction of fossil-based CO2 and air pollutant emissions in Europe

A paradigm shift in energy storage technology is needed to support the transition towards the climate-neutrality set by the EU’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring the targets of EU’s Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). In this context, GREENCAP joins a multi-disciplinary consortium with 5 Universities, 1 R&D Institute, 6 companies, located in 7 European countries (including Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Estonia, and Netherlands) and 1 non-EU country (Ukraine), to unlock the full potential of supercapacitors (SCs) as electrochemical energy storage systems. We will develop a CRM-free technology exhibiting a battery-like energy density (>20 Wh/kg, >16 Wh/L), together with the distinctive superior power densities and high cycle life of traditional electrochemical double layer capacitors. GREENCAP will exploit layered 2D materials, including graphene and MXenes as electrode materials, and ionic liquids (ILs) as high-voltage electrolyte. The main objectives of GREENCAP are: i) to syntheses/functionalize graphene and MXenes via facile, scalable and sustainable (CRM-free) methodologies, assuring both high surface area and ion accessibility, introducing Faradaic charge storage mechanisms, and improving their quantum capacitance; ii) to produce novel non-/low-toxic and non-/low-flammable IL-based electrolyte with high conductivities, and a high electrochemical/thermal stability, ensuring SC operation at voltage > 3.5 V within -50°C to +100 °C temperature range, thus eliminating the need for sophisticated cooling systems; iii) to validate the novel SC technology at industrial scale by fabricating cylindrical cells at a TRL 6 while ensuring the creation/existence of the complete value chain from material to cell producers; iv) to produce a novel supercapacitor management system, enabling the full potential of the GREECAP’s SCs in high-end applications, and ensuring their integration into the circular economy.