Technology / Innovation
Transforming CO₂ into clean energy
Key Project Data
Coordinator
CTC
Duration
3 years (12/2024 – 11/2027)
Countries involved
5
Partners involved
1 Research Center, 3 Universities, 3 Industries, and 2 Stakeholders
Direct CO2 ELECTROcatalysis for renewable METhane production or ELECTROMET Aims to develop a sustainable and economical method for producing renewable methane (RCH4) from carbon dioxide (CO2) via direct electroreduction, integrating it as a renewable fuel into the gas market.
The ELECTROMET project is funded by
ELECTROMET aims to demonstrate, from laboratory to industrial scale, that it is possible to efficiently convert CO₂ into renewable methane, integrate it into the gas grid, and establish a viable business model, through the development of advanced catalysts, a scalable electrolyzer, a digital twin, and a roadmap to facilitate market adoption.
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
PARTNER UNIVERSITIES
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS
STAKEHOLDERS
ELECTROMET aims to demonstrate, from laboratory to industrial scale, the feasibility of efficiently converting CO₂ into renewable methane, integrating it into the gas grid with a viable business model, through the development of advanced catalysts, a scalable electrolyzer, a digital twin, and a roadmap to facilitate market uptake.
The ELECTROMET project work plan is structured into six interrelated work packages (WPs).
Management of the project’s various activities and tasks, ensuring their coordination, execution, and progress in order to guarantee that each milestone is achieved on time and with satisfactory results.
Design, analysis, and fabrication of the target CO₂ catalyst. New CO₂ catalysts are developed and validated to improve the efficiency and selectivity of CO₂ electroreduction to renewable methane. The work includes the design of at least three catalysts based on inorganic, organometallic (MOF), and non-metallic (GQD) materials, the establishment of performance indicators through ab initio modelling, and the operation of laboratory reactors (5 cm² electrodes) at 100 mA cm⁻² with >80 % faradaic efficiency.
Design, construction, and validation of an NZCO₂ electrochemical reactor under laboratory conditions. The CO₂ electrolyzer is scaled up from laboratory to pilot scale. This work integrates membrane-based gas upgrading with the electroreduction reactor and develops a modular Net Zero CO₂ pilot plant (100 cm² electrode, 2 L min⁻¹ gas flow rate).
CASE STUDY: Industrial demonstration of the NZCO₂ pilot. A digital twin is developed to model and optimize pilot deployment. The team deploys sensing devices (gas analyzer, flow meter, pH sensor) in the pilot to collect real-time data. This WP provides predictive control and decision-support tools for scaling and integration.
The pilot is validated under real biogas conditions for 100 h in the laboratory and subsequently operates for 500 h in a biogas plant to assess performance, emission reduction, and stability. This WP demonstrates the technical feasibility of the technology at industrially relevant scales.
Assessment of the impact of the ELECTROMET solution. An ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis are carried out to evaluate the environmental impacts and economic viability of the Net Zero CO₂ plant. The socio-economic analysis also explores market acceptance and contributes to a roadmap for wider adoption.
Reporting and knowledge community. This WP addresses technical, regulatory, and social barriers, aligns the technology with EU renewable gas policies and standards, and coordinates communication and stakeholder engagement. It ensures the dissemination, exploitation, and market readiness of the project’s results.
