SUNFUSION Kick-off Meeting: Paving the Runway for Sustainable Biofuel Production
The SUNFUSION project officially kicked off, marking the beginning of what promises to be an innovative journey. The meeting, held from 26th to 27th February at the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) in Thessaloniki, Greece, set the stage for the project’s ambitious goals to advance sustainable energy solutions.
The first day of the meeting began with a warm introduction by the project coordinator, Nikolaos Tsongidis, followed by his presentation and objectives of the SUNFUSION project, which focuses on advancing sustainable energy solutions, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and promoting the use of renewable resources.
Following the opening, attendees were introduced to the Project Officer, Sara Navarro Jaén, PhD, from CINEA – the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. She provided a valuable overview of the EC and CINEA programmes and explained the project implementation process and methodology. This was followed by partner profile presentations and overviews of the Work Packages (WP), presented by the WP leaders, who gave an insightful look into the roles and contributions of each partner within the project.
The first day of the meeting concluded with a laboratory tour, which provided a first-hand look at the state-of-the-art facilities at CERTH and Agricultural University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). These laboratories will play an important role in the development of the SUNFUSION solution.
During the second day of the Kick-off meeting, partners explored deeper into the technical aspects of the project. The focus was on the presentation of the technical work packages, each addressing key areas of the SUNFUSION project’s objectives. Discussions were centered around sustainable microalgae biomass feedstock production, hydrothermal liquefaction experiments, thermal energy storage optimisation, concentrated solar power integration, and biocrude upgrade and valorisation. Furthermore, project management strategies have been explored and key points addressed, such as selection of the members for the committees, which will be overseeing multiple processes of the project implementation.
These technical discussions provided a clearer understanding of the research and development efforts that will shape the future of SUNFUSION. The collective expertise of the project partners is set to drive innovative solutions in these areas, moving the project closer to its vision of a sustainable and energy-efficient future.
SUNFUSION: Looking Ahead
With a productive first two days, the SUNFUSION Kick-off meeting concluded on a high note. The collaboration and enthusiasm among the partners have set a strong foundation for the success of the project. The next steps will involve continued research and development, with the next semi-annual consortium meeting scheduled for September in Nantes.
As the SUNFUSION project moves forward, it is poised to make significant strides in the development of sustainable energy solutions. We look forward to seeing the results of this collaboration and the innovations that will emerge from it.
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