Community Energy Social Enterprise Limited (CESEL) is thrilled to announce the launch of CATALYSE, an innovative project awarded €1.5 million by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program. CATALYSE brings together 14 global institutions and organizations to develop cutting-edge technology that captures CO₂ from the air and industrial sources, converting it into renewable fuel. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce the need for fossil fuels in the industrial and transport sectors across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The consortium includes a diverse lineup of partners such as Newcastle University, University of Sheffield, University of Hull, and EGB Engineering (UK); Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway); Abo Akademi University (Finland); Tsinghua University, East China University of Science and Technology, Xian Jiaotong University, and North University of China (China); University of Pretoria and Mamadi and Company (South Africa); and Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (Nigeria). Together, these institutions bring a wide range of expertise in solar energy integration, CO₂ capture and utilization, process intensification, and catalysis.
The primary objective of CATALYSE is to convert CO₂ into dimethyl ether (DME), a sustainable fuel alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This project holds particular significance for Nigeria, where high energy costs and an energy transition plan have posed challenges. CATALYSE will support Nigerian institutions by sharing knowledge, empowering them to develop locally viable solutions for renewable fuel production.
Dr. Eni Oko from Newcastle University, the Project Coordinator, emphasized the initiative’s importance: “CATALYSE represents an important step towards a sustainable energy future. Through this unique collaboration, we aim to develop efficient CO₂ capture and fuel production technologies, creating a renewable fuel option that addresses both climate goals and energy needs for Europe, China, South Africa, and Nigeria. Our vision is to make a tangible impact on carbon reduction and help shape a resilient energy economy for regions in urgent need of alternatives.”
Scheduled to begin in January 2025, this four-year project will involve 330 person-months of researcher exchanges, bringing together 25 experienced and 32 early-stage researchers from Europe, China, and Africa. These researchers will engage in experimental studies, process modeling, material design, and catalysis, facilitating a robust exchange of ideas and innovations.
CATALYSE aims to serve as a model for renewable fuel production, providing a clean, scalable energy source and strengthening global partnerships to ensure sustainable solutions to climate and energy challenges. Its focus on DME aligns with international climate goals, including the Paris Agreement, and supports the European Green Deal and Nigeria’s energy transition plan. The project’s advancements will drive economic and environmental benefits, paving the way for technology that enhances renewable energy production and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions across industries in both developed and emerging economies.
