Solar fuels and chemicals technologies: A roadmap for innovation

Abstract

Overall, it is anticipated that the diverse technological portfolio of Power-to-X and Solar-toX technologies may provide credible solutions for the smooth, gradual transition from the current highly centralised systems to the more decentralised energy production systems. There is no clear frontrunner at this stage. Specifically, the breakthroughs in the most disruptive technologies should be monitored closely and continuously as they may offer viable approaches for sustainable fuel and chemical production in the long-term. Equally important is developing a robust regulatory framework that will encourage significant investments in the more mature but also highly promising emerging technologies for solar fuel and chemical production. To this end, the momentum for the wellcoordinated and timely action of many actors in the solar fuels and chemicals community, such as the SUNERGY initiative, are crucial.