NETPEC

If negative emissions have to be realized on the scale that is currently emerging, aspects such as long-term storability and land consumption will become very important in addition to costs. The artificial photosynthesis approach investigated in the project allows, at least in theory, to minimize land consumption and associated challenges. Similar to natural photosynthesis, CO₂ is converted into another substance using energy from sunlight. The choice of the photoelectrochemically generated product can be adapted to the storability. Here, oxalate and coal flakes are investigated first. Since the concept is still new, the NETPEC project scrutinizes which of the products have the greatest potential in terms of long-term, safe storability and what conversion efficiencies can actually be achieved. To this end, adapted catalysts and solar cells are developed and combined to form a photoelectrochemical carbon sink. Furthermore, the climatic conditions will be modeled and the sustainability of the entire process chain will be evaluated. The project will allow a first assessment of whether and to what extent photoelectrochemical approaches could be a useful complement to the methods of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal that have been mainly investigated so far.

As the concept is still new, the NETPEC project is investigating which of the products have the greatest potential in terms of long-term safe storability and what conversion efficiencies can actually be achieved. For this purpose, adapted catalysts and solar cells are being developed and combined to form a photoelectrochemical carbon sink.

Furthermore, the climatic conditions will be modelled and the sustainability of the entire process chain will be evaluated. The project will allow an initial assessment of whether and to what extent photoelectrochemical approaches could be a useful addition to the methods of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal that have mainly been studied so far.