Europe aims at being the first carbon neutral region of the World, in 2050. A large share of the current GHG emissions is related to the transport sector. A wide legislative framework has been designed to support the transition toward a greener economy. In this context, specific research activities can allow for defining alternative approaches, and promote disruptive innovations. Innovative value-chains for renewable, low carbon fuels (i.e. e-fuels, biofuels, etc.) production are studied, together with their potential integration with existing industrial processes.
The use of waste streams for producing low carbon renewable fuels and energy carriers will be key for the future energy sector. The resulting carbon streams can also be valorized, for instance for reducing the environmental impact of hard-to-abate sectors, such as the steel-making. The research outcomes have also to be translated to be useful for policy-shaping, for instance to support national institutions, as well as the European Commission.
Example of recent activities:
- Definition of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based methodological framework for accounting the benefits related to the use of alternative fuels into aviation (ICAO) and maritime (IMO) sectors (support to DG-MOVE).
- Assessment of the environmental benefits related to virtuous value-chains for alternatively fuels production and use in aviation sector (BIO4A and BIKE projects).
- Energy modelling for relevant infrastructures (i.e. Airport of Turin), with definition of potential roadmaps for decarbonization (TULIPs project).
- Study of biochar production and use in hard-to-abate sectors (i.e. TULIPs and H2Stell projects).
- Definition of roadmaps for the decarbonization of aviation (i.e. support to Italian Transport Ministry).
Contatti:
Prof. David Chiaramonti: https://www.polito.it/en/staff?p=david.chiaramonti
Dr. Matteo Prussi: https://www.polito.it/personale?p=matteo.prussi