Industrial Solar Fuel Plant, named DAWN, pioneered by Synhelion - a green technology spin-off from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) - produces carbon-neutral solar fuels. Its purpose is to displace conventional fossil fuels.

Synhelion, a Swiss company, has unveiled its ambitious DAWN Project, which seeks to revolutionise the energy sector by producing large-scale solar fuels. The project's ultimate goal is to power carbon-intensive industries, such as cement manufacturing, with these fuels, potentially accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral world.

The DAWN Project, a new initiative by Synhelion, focuses on producing solar fuels by concentrating solar heat to convert CO2 and water into synthetic fuels using renewable solar energy. This innovative approach integrates solar energy for the thermal step with carbon capture (CO2) and water-splitting, effectively mimicking photosynthesis but at much higher energy densities and efficiencies using advanced solar concentrators and reactors.

The Synhelion process involves converting CO2 and organic matter from biomass into fuels such as syngas (a mixture of CO and H2), methanol, or hydrocarbons. In the case of the DAWN Project, concentrated solar radiation is used to provide the high temperatures needed for thermochemical conversion. This process splits carbon dioxide and water into syngas (a mix of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). The produced syngas is further processed into synthetic fuels such as kerosene or other hydrocarbons, enabling carbon-neutral fuels for sectors like aviation.

Synhelion's mission is to replace fossil liquid fuels with sustainable liquid fuels. The company aims to produce 100,000 tonnes of solar fuels by 2030 and 1 million tonnes by 2033, with the intention of contributing approximately half of Europe's synthetic aviation fuel demand by 2040.

The project will begin this week outside Dusseldorf, Germany, using an acre of mirrors to concentrate sunlight on a 66-foot-tall tower. The Synhelion approach to harnessing solar power is different from photovoltaic cells, as it creates liquid fuels that can replace existing fossil fuels in current technology.

The DAWN Project's goal is to begin industrial-scale production of solar fuels. Synhelion's partners include Cemex, one of the largest building materials companies in the world, and aviation-specific companies such as the Lufthansa Group and Zurich Airport.

Shipping and aviation account for an estimated eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Synhelion's synthetic fuel, with an energy density as much as 50 times greater than the most advanced current lithium-ion technology, could significantly reduce carbon emissions in these sectors. The Synhelion process emits some carbon, but it results in a significant reduction of 85 to 90 percent compared to traditional jet fuel.

Matt Bauer, program manager for the Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Program at the U.S Department of Energy, believes that creating tools like Synhelion's that don't put so much burden on technologies for electrification can more rapidly get us to a carbon-neutral world. The Synhelion project is being watched closely by those pushing for a suite of approaches to more rapidly bring us to a carbon-neutral world.

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Synhelion's DAWN Project, addressing the climate-change issue, aims to generate large-scale solar fuels, integrating advanced solar concentrators and reactors for enhanced energy densities and efficiencies compared to photosynthesis.
The company's innovative strategy converts CO2 and water into synthetic fuels such as syngas, methanol, or hydrocarbons using renewable solar energy and carbon capture techniques.
By 2030, Synhelion aims to produce 100,000 tonnes of solar fuels and intends to double that for 1 million tonnes by 2033, targeting half of Europe's synthetic aviation fuel demand by 2040.
The Synhelion approach to renewable energy differs from photovoltaic cells, as it produces liquid fuels that can replace conventional fossil fuels in the industry.
Partners of the DAWN Project include Cemex, a major building materials company, and aviation-specific firms like the Lufthansa Group and Zurich Airport.
These carbon-neutral fuels, with energy densities up to 50 times greater than lithium-ion technology, can significantly reduce carbon emissions in industries like shipping and aviation, helping to pave the way for climate-neutral planet.
Matt Bauer, from the U.S Department of Energy, suggests that projects like Synhelion's could expedite the transition to a carbon-neutral world by offering alternatives that minimize reliance on electrification technologies.

Industrial Solar Fuel Plant, named DAWN, pioneered by Synhelion - a green technology spin-off from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) - produces carbon-neutral solar fuels. Its purpose is to displace conventional fossil fuels.