Conversion of captured CO2 is not only a means to replace fossil fuels, but also a promising solution for seasonal energy storage. There are still some scientific and technological challenges to overcome to be able to exploit CO2 as a fuel feedstock, the main challenge being that the utilisation of CO2 is limited by the highly energy intensive conversion process.

New solutions for the conversion of captured CO2 from different sources to fuels will create new markets for innovative industrial sectors and diversify the economic base in carbon-intensive regions, as well as contribute to achieving a Circular Economy. The project should evaluate the possibility for industrial CO2 use/reuse through the combination of processes (industrial symbiosis) and the efficient integration of CO2 capture and conversion to combine and/or reduce stages.

Proposals will aim at the development of energy-efficient and economically and environmentally viable CO2 conversion technologies, including energy storage and/or displacement of fossil fuels that allow for upscaling in the short to medium term. Proposals have to define ambitious but achievable targets for energy requirements of the conversion process (including catalytic conversion), production costs and product yields that will be used to monitor project implementation. Proposals have to include the potential for the proposed CCU solution(s) as CO2 mitigation option through conducting an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) in line with guidelines developed by the Commission, such as the Innovation Fund GHG methodology and the relevant ISO standards and the EU Taxonomy Regulation.

Technology development has to be balanced by an assessment of the societal readiness towards the proposed innovations. Relevant end users and societal stakeholders (such as civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and local associations) will be identified in the proposal, and involved in deliberative activities, so as understand and address their concerns and needs. This will be analysed during the project using appropriate techniques and methods from the social sciences and humanities, in order to create awareness, gain feedback on societal impact and advancing society?s readiness for the proposed solutions. Projects, therefore, could consider the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise in order to enhance the societal impact of the related research activities. Projects should also explore the socio-economic and political barriers to acceptability and awareness with a view to regulatory or policy initiatives and include aspects of circularity and best use of resources.

Proposals are expected to bring technologies that have reached at least TRL 4-5 to TRL 6-7 (please see part G of the General Annexes).

Plan for the exploitation and dissemination of results for proposals submitted under this topic should include a strong business case and sound exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination. The exploitation plans should include preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation, and deployment (feasibility study, business plan, financial model) indicating the possible funding sources to be potentially used (in particular the Innovation Fund).

Projects are strongly encouraged to join the EU CCUS knowledge sharing project network.

Projects should collaborate if appropriate with the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking on aspects that require integration of hydrogen and are expected to contribute and participate to the activities of the TRUST database and the hydrogen observatory.

This topic is complementary to the call CL4- Destination 1 Energy Intensive Industries on CCU.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project ? see General Annex B.

Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.

Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.

Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.

Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.

National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).

Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.

IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.

European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.

CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.  

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.

Partner Search Services help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.