FLEXIBLE COMBINED PRODUCTION OF POWER, HEAT AND TRANSPORT FUELS FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

The vision is to realise a process for optimal use of the seasonal solar energy supply and available biomass resources to satisfy the seasonal demand for heat and power, and to simultaneously produce low-GHG fuels for the transport sector.

The project summary

Seasonal solar energy potential and the need for heat and power do not match in Northern and Central European conditions. Consequently, large investments are needed for storing solar energy from summer season to dark winter time. The widely available combined heat and power plants and heating networks should be utilized effectively also in the future energy system. In addition to these challenges, decarbonisation of the transport sector requires massive production of renewable fuels especially for the heavy duty sector.

FLEXCHX project is aiming to present a cost-effective solution to tackle these challenges of the new European energy mix. Principal ideas are:
  • A hybrid process that integrates electrolysis to biomass gasification and synthesis is developed and the key enabling technologies of this process are validated to reach TRL5.
  •  In summer season renewable fuel intermediate (FT-wax) is produced from biomass carbon boosted with solar energy driven electrolysis. A small amount of by-product heat is also produced to cover the summer-time demand for district heating. Biomass consumption is halved compared to the wintertime operation and 50% of the input energy comes from low-cost excess electricity.
  • In winter season the plant is operated without the electrolyzer in a way that biomass conversion to liquid fuel intermediate, heat and electricity is maximized.
  • Most of the invested plant components are in full use throughout the year, only the electrolysis unit is operated seasonally.

Behind FLEXCHX there is a multi-national consortium composed of RTD organizations, industry and SMEs representing the entire value chain. The RTD partners have excellent synergistic competences, while the industrial partners represent lead industries covering the complete value chain from biomass gasification, gas cleaning and fuel synthesis component and plant manufacturers to service providers and end-users.

News & events

November 3, 2021
The FLEXCHX project has ended on 30 April 2021. This website will no longer be updated.

April 27, 2021
News & events and Downloads updated.

January 27, 2021

Webinar on January 19, 2021
The material presented is available to download.

December 3, 2020
Presentations updated.

November 6, 2020
Webinar on January 19, 2021
Latest results of two research projects funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme: COMSYN and FLEXCHX.

November 5, 2020
Downloads updated. New publication.

April 7, 2020
News & events updated.

November 27, 2019
News & events updated. 4th project meeting info.


This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 763919.