SPOTLIGHT

Biofuels production (methane and syngas)

 

Description

In 2021, Acea Pinerolese Industriale launched the SPOTLIGHT project, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program. SPOTLIGHT marks a new milestone for Acea, advancing research and opening new avenues of development in bioenergy, further strengthening its commitment to innovation and the future. It also strenghten the continuous progress of the Acea Ecological Pole, a modern and innovative integrated waste management system located in Pinerolo (TO).
Acea Pinerolese Industriale was invited to join a working group alongside leading research institutes, universities, and companies across Europe specializing in hydrogen and green chemistry, based in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain.
The SPOTLIGHT project aims to produce biofuels, such as methane and syngas, by utilizing the residual carbon dioxide stream generated during the valorization of organic waste.

Result to be enhanced

The key objective of SPOTLIGHT is to develop a photonic device that, using sunlight, converts carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by ACEA and green hydrogen (H2) into methane (CH4) and syngas (CO). In addition, the syngas produced in Spotlight can also be used to produce methanol, a key ingredient for the production of biofuels from renewable and natural sources, enhancing waste derivatives further into new resources.

Why is it important?

Through a device specifically developed to harness solar energy, the carbon dioxide that is produced during the purification of biomethane will be used to produce additional molecules that can find use as fuels or as basic molecules for green chemistry.
Therefore, this process makes it possible to valorize the carbon dioxide produced at the Ecological Pole downstream of organic waste valorization.