The aim of the SEAFAIRER project is to demonstrate, at Technology Readiness Level (TRL 7), the production of improved intermediate biofuels followed by processing in existing refinery infrastructure to deliver climatepositive drop-in biofuels for maritime transport. The feedstock (biogenic waste residues) will be transported in short distances to decentralised vertical intermediate pyrolysis-based reactor (VINTER) units. The SEAFAIRER project will collect, characterise and process 3 different residual biomass feedstocks: (i) rice husk from the Valencia region, Spain; (ii) biowaste sieving material from Bavaria in Germany; and (iii) agave bagasse from southern Mexico. These feedstocks have been strategically selected from exclusively fair and residual sources without indirect land use change (iLUC) issues. The VINTER unit will convert the biomass through a single-stage intermediate pyrolysis and post-reforming process into three main products: biochar, raw oil (intermediate biofuel) and syngas. The high-quality biochar is suitable for European Biochar Certification (EBC) as carbon sink with vast agricultural and industrial applications. The carbon sink will play a crucial role to achieve the climate targets of the maritime transport sector. At commercial scale, the intermediate biofuel, which has a high energy density (approx. 32 to 36 MJ/kg), branches out into two market entry pathways that leverage existing refinery infrastructure: Pathway A is designed to cover the immediate biofuel needs of the industrial maritime shipping sector, which is under considerable regulatory pressure and has strict GHG reduction/decarbonisation targets, such as the ones set out in FuelEU Maritime. This pathway will target direct blends (B10 to B30) of intermediate biofuel (VINTER raw oil) on par with Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) according to the ISO 8217:2017 quality thresholds for marine fuels (cf. Table 4). Pathway B targets the medium- to long-term demands of the maritime industrial shipping sector. In this case, the intermediate biofuel will be upgraded via hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), targeting higher blending capacity up to pure drop-in fuel quality (B50 to B100), on par with Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) according to the ISO 8217:2017 quality thresholds for marine fuels.

The Icarus consortium has identified critical technology steps that at present limit the wider deployment of three Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production routes, namely: biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction to SAF, isobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass to SAF and synthetic Fischer-Tropsh from biomass gasification to SAF. These three value chains have been strategically selected by Icarus since they are close to market deployment and are needed to meet European and international SAF deployment targets. Icarus aims to improve them with innovative solutions while at the same time addressing the whole value chain. Novel biomass production concepts such as sequential cropping and mix cropping are also addressed aiming to ensure increased sustainable biomass availability for SAF production. Along the complete value chain techno-economic, environmental, and social assessments will be carried out. Icarus has a very strong international consortium of 20 reputed partners including 5 from 3 Mission Innovation Countries (MIC) Canada, India and Brazil, who will carry out innovative research with common targets and objectives with the European ones ensuring international collaboration in this critical area. Two more partners from a 4th MIC, USA are joining research activities as members of the External Executive Advisory Board (EEAB). The Icarus results will significantly improve the cost effectiveness of SAF and therefore have global significance and reach and will facilitate scaling-up of these technologies and value chains enabling market deployment of SAF on a global scale. Guidelines, assessments, best practices and improved concepts will be used throughout the project to disseminate the results on global scale via targeted and effective dissemination and communication outreach activities to all stakeholders.

The key objective of the MEMBER project is the scale-up and manufacturing of advanced materials (membranes and Sorbents) and their demonstration at TRL6 in novel membrane based technologies that outperform current technology for pre- and post-combustion CO2 capture in power plants as well as H2 generation with integrated CO2 capture. Two different strategies will be followed and demonstrated at three different end users facilities to achieve CO2 separation: - A combination of Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMM) for pre- and post-combustion, - A combination of metallic membranes and sorbents into an advanced Membrane Assisted Sorption Enhanced Reforming (MA-SER) process for pure H2 production with integrated CO2 capture In both cases, a significant decrease of the total cost of CO2 capture will be achieved. MEMBER targets CO2 capture technologies that separate >90% CO2 at a cost below 40€/ton for post combustion and below 30€/ton for pre-combustion and H2 production. To achieve this objective, MEMBER has been built on the basis of the best materials and technologies developed in three former FP7 projects, ASCENT, M4CO2 and FluidCELL. In particular, special attention will be paid to the manufacturing processes scale up of key materials and products such as Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), polymers, membranes and sorbents. At the end of the project we will deliver a robust demonstration of the new materials at real conditions (TRL 6) by designing, building, operating and validating three prototype systems tested at industrial relevant conditions: - Prototype A targeted for pre-combustion in a gasification power plant using MMM at the facilities of CENER (BIO-CCS). - Prototype B targeted for post-combustion in power plants using MMM at the facilities of GALP. - Prototype C targeted for pure hydrogen production with integrated CO2 capture using (MA-SER) at the facilities of IFE-HyNor

H2tALENT launches a flagship Hydrogen Valley in Alentejo-PT to consolidate the strong investment in place and boost the penetration of “green” hydrogen by deploying new initiatives across the entire value chain from local production to use including distribution for a range of applications in industry, mobility and buildings while also connecting with existing/planned infrastructures and initiatives. In the next 5 years are foreseen 2.1 GW electrolysers, 180 ktons/y of “green” H2, 2 B€ investments and 5000 jobs in Alentejo. Safe design and operation are ensured to deliver certified “green” hydrogen. H2tALENT produces >500 ton/y used by several off-takers in industry, mobility (public bus & truck) and building (municipal pool). The strategic position of the Sines Port is valorised as a key multi-modal hub for interconnection and import/export as well the industrial ecosystem surrounding it. Optimal energy system integration is ensured via technology assessment and impact modelling to contribute to the national energy transition strategy. H2tALENT generates investments around 20 M€. Digital Twinning and tools for optimal planning and operation are delivered to support upscaling and replication, while professional upskilling and public perception equip the workforce with the needed competences and deliver social benefits. H2tALENT builds a global network where lessons learned from existing valleys are gathered, cooperation with Brazil and Morocco fostered and replication promoted in 2 follower valleys in DE Saxony and UK Midlands. Roadmaps and concrete actions for upscaling and replication are defined for the Sines Port, Alentejo and Portugal. The consortium includes 29 partners from 7 countries covering the entire value chain including energy suppliers, DSO, technology manufacturer, system integrator, end users and RTO/university experts in digitalization, public acceptance, environmental assessments and technology assessment with strong political support.

GREENH2ATLANTIC will help Europe to reach green and affordable electrolysis at GW-scale in 2030 by developing and demonstrating a first-of-a-kind 100 MW alkaline electrolyser at TRL8, leveraging scale-up, standardization and manufacturing automation. This 100 MW electrolyser will be composed of innovative, scalable and fast-cycling 8 MW modules which overcome bottlenecks related to CAPEX (480EUR/kW, -31%), efficiency (49 kWh/kg at nominal power), size (-40%), lifetime (70 000 operating hours @ degradation rate of 0.12%/1000h), current-density (>0.5 A/cm2) and flexibility (ramp-up and down between 20-100% in less than 30 sec and 5 sec, respectively). GREENH2ATLANTIC will supply multiple local off-takers and help reduce the LCOH to 2.87EUR/kg of green H2. An innovative interface system composed of advanced power electronics will allow for the direct coupling of the electrolyser with local, dedicated hybrid (solar and wind) renewable energy. Moreover, an innovative, AI-enhanced Advanced Hydrogen Management System will allow for the optimization of OPEX, load factor, real-time H2 production management, system behaviour analysis, etc. The consortium includes the full value chain including European electrolyser manufacturing, green hydrogen production, off-takers from the chemical industry and natural gas grids, power electronics developers, AI energy management system developers, renewable energy providers and electrical grid balancing. The demonstrator will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 82.16 ktCO2-eq/year. Clear exploitation and replication plans based on rigorous analyses are presented to reach 1 GW by 2030 in Sines and beyond, creating an estimated 1147 direct and 2744 indirect jobs. Green H2 market readiness will be enhanced in promising H2 valleys across Europe, targeting at least 5 systemic H2+RE investment plans facilitated across Europe by the end of the project. Finally, the project will provide actionable input for EU harmonisation and regulations.