UMI POWER2X

The POWER2X Joint Research Unit was created to address the need to move towards low-carbon production models, improve the operational efficiency of industrial processes and make better use of underutilised resources, such as certain organic waste streams and sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Traditionally regarded as an environmental liability, these streams can be transformed into valuable resources through advanced valorisation, conversion and energy storage technologies. In addition, the increasing integration of renewable energy introduces variability and uncertainty into the energy system. It is therefore necessary to develop solutions capable of transforming, storing and managing renewable energy flexibly, coordinating the production of different energy vectors with the requirements of industrial processes.

POWER2X will integrate complementary technologies for waste valorisation, renewable energy vector production, CO₂ utilisation and advanced digitalisation into a single platform. The objective is to develop and validate a flexible system capable of combining different technological pathways according to the characteristics of the available resources and the energy requirements at any given time. Power-to-X technologies make it possible to convert renewable electricity into other storable energy vectors, such as renewable hydrogen and renewable methane. In POWER2X, this approach will be combined with waste valorisation processes to broaden the range of available pathways and promote the comprehensive use of resources.

The platform will integrate thermochemical, biological and electrochemical processes, including gasification, hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), syngas conversion and CO₂ capture using SEWGS technology, biological methanation and co-electrolysis using SOEC technology. These pathways will enable the production of renewable energy vectors, such as hydrogen, syngas and biomethane, as well as value-added carbonaceous products, such as hydrochar.

POWER2X will also incorporate advanced digitalisation tools, including sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins and predictive algorithms, to optimise platform operation, improve efficiency, provide energy flexibility and facilitate system monitoring and traceability.

POWER2X will support the transition from technological development to integrated, flexible and industry-ready solutions, capable of adapting waste valorisation and renewable energy vector production to the characteristics of each resource and the operational requirements of each process. The platform will strengthen Galicia’s position in the fields of industrial decarbonisation and the circular economy, facilitating the scale-up and replication of new Power-to-X solutions in energy-intensive sectors and activities related to waste management.

Objectives:

The main objective is to develop an integrated Power-to-X system combining thermochemical, biological, electrochemical, and digital processes to valorise waste and CO₂, produce renewable energy vectors and optimise system operation through hybrid energy storage and advanced digitalisation.

To achieve this goal, the following specific objectives have been defined:

• Optimise thermochemical waste valorisation pathways (gasification and HTC) with the aim of obtaining syngas with a minimum hydrogen content of 20% and hydrochar suitable for use as a biofuel and as a soil amendment.
• Produce renewable biomethane with a target purity of 99% through the biological methanation of captured CO₂ using renewable hydrogen generated or supplied within the integrated system.
• Valorise captured CO₂ by generating renewable syngas and O₂ through SOEC co-electrolysis, integrating the resulting streams with gasification, SEWGS and methanation processes.
• Improve the operational flexibility of the integrated Power-to-X system by at least 20% through hybrid storage systems combining batteries and supercapacitors, together with advanced digitalisation tools, including IoT, digital twins and predictive algorithms.