In line with the European Green Deal, the Processes4Planet partnership and the European initiative for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy (REPowerEU), the RIA proposal POWER2HYPE aims to establish a sustainable route for the hydrogen peroxide production. Based on air and water as feedstocks, and renewable energy as the sole energy source, the POWER2HYPE route addresses an economically viable and green alternative to the classical energy-demanding anthraquinone process. Hydrogen peroxide will be produced by paired electrolysis at both the cathode and anode using an innovative custom-made 200% electrolyzer. Aiming the electrification and decentralization of the chemical industry, the POWER2HYPE concept proposes the TRL 6 demonstration of electrolytic hydrogen peroxide production at any given concentration (from 20 to 99 %) at the site where it is needed. With this flexibility of concentration range, hydrogen peroxide could be used from chemical intermediates, sanitation, bleaching to niche markets as propulsion fuels.
The goal of the POWER2HYPE project is to research, develop, and demonstrate a new hydrogen peroxide production process, replacing the current energy-intensive route with a sustainable electrochemical one. The process is based on the use of readily available and sustainable materials for both the structural and catalytic components of the reactor. Furthermore, it uses only water and air as reactants, and the electrolytes are aqueous. Thanks to its characteristics and the possibility of using renewable energy sources, the process emits no toxic waste or greenhouse gases. Compared to the established process, the new electrochemical route proposed by POWER2HYPE aims to achieve greater overall energy efficiency in hydrogen peroxide production in a sustainable, decarbonized, and emission-free manner. It also enables both industrial and decentralized production, and is potentially profitable even on miniaturized lines. Técnicas Reunidas plays a prominent role as the developer of innovative cell and stack configurations, as well as in the final process integration, the design and implementation of a plant for stack characterization, and its pilot-scale evaluation for hydrogen peroxide production. With a strong focus on decarbonization and the energy transition of European industry, the project aligns with the pillars of the European Commission’s REPowerEU initiative for the rapid reduction of fossil fuel and raw material use in industry and energy. Consequently, POWER2HYPE will contribute to the fight against climate change by reducing emissions and the carbon footprint, driven by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Union’s Green Deal.
