Within the context of the European PeCATHS project , the Basque energy research center CIC energiGUNE is leading the development of an advanced system for long-term sustainable energy storage, based on the use of biomass-derived liquid hydrogen.
A system manages to produce liquid hydrogen derived from biomass
The approach developed at CIC energiGUNE eliminates the hydrogen gas production and compression stages. Instead, it uses liquid organic hydrogen carriers ( LOHCs ) as a means to transport and store H₂ under stable and safe conditions. This strategy reduces process complexity and improves the overall energy efficiency of the system.
The PeCATHS project is coordinated by the Universitat Jaume I de Castellón (Castellón University) and has the collaboration of European institutions such as Trinity College Dublin , the Fundació Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) , Comet Global Innovation , and the University of Zurich . CIC energiGUNE contributes its expertise in computational modeling and artificial intelligence techniques to optimize catalytic materials for biomass oxidation.
Biomass is positioned as the primary source of hydrogen in this system, while solar energy acts as the renewable engine of the process. This integration reduces the environmental impact and strengthens economic viability. The objective is clear: to transform waste into a liquid energy carrier that facilitates the clean and efficient transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen.
Using artificial intelligence and molecular simulation tools, the team led by Professor Max García-Melchor is working to rapidly identify materials and conditions that maximize system efficiency. This includes improving catalyst design and predicting the chemical behavior of the reactions involved.
The project is part of the Horizon Europe program (grant agreement No. 101191948) and has Swiss institutional support, highlighting the strategic interest in alternative energy solutions with industrial applications. The proposal by CIC energiGUNE and its partners seeks to lay the foundation for cleaner, more decentralized, and resilient energy networks.
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Source and photo: CIC energiGUNE
