Expected 3-5 projects with investment 3.5-6 mio. DKK per project. 

System integration is pivotal for harnessing the full potential of renewable energy (RE) sources in the future Danish energy system. The transition from fossil fuels to 100% RE introduces challenges and increases the complexity level due to the fluctuating nature of RE. Flexibility is key to accelerate the transition by matching variable energy production with consumption. Flexibility can be delivered by starting and stopping energy producing and consuming units as well as by energy storage such, as batteries, thermal energy storages, gas caverns etc.  

Power-to-X (PtX) holds a great potential to deliver flexibility by consuming RE during high production periods and minimizing consumption on calm and cloudy days. PtX fuels (e.g. hydrogen, methanol, ammonia etc.) are efficient storage and transportation media in comparison to electricity. Consequently, PtX fuels with low carbon footprints can profoundly decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors including heavy transport, aviation and industry. 

To realise the flexibility potential both PtX plants and the associated energy infrastructure must be designed and optimized for flexible operation without deteriorating the lifespan and performance of the components. This calls for optimization work on electrolysis and catalysis units, intelligent control management and flow measurements, more flexible and intelligent storage solutions under varying pressure conditions, and flexible off-taker markets of all output streams. It is essential to maximize the energy efficiency and reuse/recycling of PtX materials, which also can improve lifespan and business case. 

We look for innovative solutions that can realize the flexibility potential of PtX with minimal environmental footprint of PtX fuels. 

Sustainability must be an integrated part of any system solution. This includes full life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impact assessment and adoption of proper suitability criteria impacting solutions. System integration should include sustainability considerations. This theme will also entail stand alone projects focussing solely on sustainability through development, adoption and internationalisation of methods, standards and application. 

Expected 1-3 projects with investment 2.6-8 mio. DKK per project. 

Many cutting-edge technologies within the green fuel’s domain have reached a commercial level of readiness and is from an overall perspective primed and poised for deployment and implementation when considering the technologies as an isolated matter. But the ecosystem, the value- and supply chains for the deployment, integration and implementation of these technologies are on the contrary defined by a much lower readiness. To reach the ambitious climate goals we need to make green fuels more economically viable and competitive with traditional fossil fuels on the global market. Achieving this goal involves research, innovation, and the development of new technologies and processes to reduce production costs, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall sustainability of these fuels. Such a multifaceted approach is essential to overcome the challenges and complexities inherent in transitioning to cleaner energy sources while remaining globally competitive. 

The solutions and technologies within this theme might not be fully mature or economically viable at present but have the potential to become cost-effective and competitive in 2030. It can also be intermediate solutions that allow existing vehicles/fleets to lower CO2 emission for an intermediate period (as these should not be replaced beyond the normal replacement rate). 

Emphasis is placed on developing new methods, improving energy efficiency, optimize operation by digitalization, co-locate and integrate PtX plants with renewable energy plants etc., solving challenges related to scaling-up of technologies, refining existing processes, and investing in research and development aimed at making green fuels more economically competitive in 2030 in international context. 

Expected 1-3 projects with investment 2.6-8 mio. DKK per project. 

To reach our long-term climate goal in 2050 involves a proactive forward-looking, strategic, and visionary approach. It involves sustained and continued research, innovation, and the development of new technologies and processes while enhancing the overall sustainability of these fuels. 

In this theme, we are not just looking for incremental improvements. We are seeking ideas that could change the way we produce and/or use green fuels in the future. We believe that by the time we reach the year 2050, green fuels should not just be merely competitive with fossil fuels; they should surpass them in terms of efficiency, affordability, and their overall environmental impact. Such a transition is vital for the vision of a future where industries are powered by clean, abundant, and renewable energy sources, and where transportation is carbon neutral. 

The solutions we look for are truly groundbreaking and visionary innovations that might be in the early stages of development, encompassing next-generation materials, advanced processes, cutting-edge components, digital control and management, compositions, new methods for reusing and recycling of materials/units, inventive system design, membranes, new ways of making electrolysis, or innovative methods for green fuel production, potentially skipping steps in the production chain. The solutions should resonate in context of the global transition. 

We encourage collaborations and embrace collaborations that bridge diverse disciplines, industries, and borders. We seek innovative and visionary proposals that go beyond the ordinary, pushing the boundaries of conventional knowledge and challenging the norms of what’s possible. Our aim is to find solutions that are not just sustainable but transformative. 

Expected 1-3 projects with investment 2-6 mio. DKK per project. 

Safety is crucial for successful adoption of green fuel technologies and significantly influences the pace of transitioning to sustainable fuels. It is closely linked to regulations, certifications and standards, necessitating international collaboration for effective implementation. Creating a stable environment for safety initiatives and regulations is key to minimizing risks associated with deploying green fuel technologies as well as public support. Safety regulation of green fuels can build on existing knowledge but establishing new markets in GW scale require new procedures, standards and frameworks. 

Green fuels will be able to compete with fossil fuels in the future, but this requires establishing the right regulatory framework for its production, transport, storage, and use, with safety being paramount throughout the value chain. Hence, it’s urgent to proactively develop safety measures and regulations to ensure a safe and fast implementation and deployment of green fuels in society. 

Approval procedures and safety certifications are complex, often complicating the establishment of green fuels production plants. The complexity of legislation creates uncertainty among both investors and authorities, causing delays in green fuels plant construction. Also, the utilisation of green fuels requires regulations, that stimulate CO2 reductions and make green fuels attractive for the end-users (e.g. taxes, subsidies or other regulations) 

Moreover, to establish a functional global green fuels market, it is crucial to establish a legal framework and consensus for when a carbon-based green fuel and CO2 is considered green. 

This theme seeks solutions related to safety and regulations in a research and innovation context that are or will negatively impact the introduction and use of green fuels, hereunder market changes that ensures long-term investments. Solutions must go beyond Danish borders. 

Expected 2-4 projects with investment 3-6 mio. DKK per project. 

A key part of adopting green fuels over fossil fuels is converting them into energy efficiently and in a manner that is both safe and environmentally friendly. Direct electrification should be first choice, when possible, but not all sectors can be directly electrified, such as aviation and shipping, where there will still be a need for fuels in the future. Furthermore, there is a need for retrofitted engines for intermediate greener fuels, that allow existing vehicles/fleets to lower CO2 emission for a period, as it should not be replaced before its end-of-life.  

Green fuels can have different properties than traditional fossil fuels, requiring modifications to existing engines or the development of new engine technologies to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. 

Green fuels often have lower energy density compared to conventional fuels, potentially leading to reduced engine efficiency and mileage. Engine designs need to compensate for these differences to maintain performance levels. There might be challenges related to low-temperature performance, such as freezing in cold climates, requiring modifications or additives to ensure engines operate smoothly in varying weather conditions. 

Other challenges are the longevity of engines, increased corrosion and wear in engine components, necessitating new materials and lubricants tailored to mitigate potential damage to the engine.  

Furthermore, there are complexities of dual-fuel systems and blending techniques concerning calorific value, soot formation, and other factors that influence widespread adoption of green fuels. 

Green fuels have properties such that they compete on global markets. 

We seek innovative ideas that address challenges related to test and efficiency for both new (e.g. NH3) and retrofitted engines. Our focus is new methods for modelling, forecasting, controlling, and optimizing engines running on green fuels.