News & Events
New Open Access paper publication in Journal of Cleaner Production
We congratulate the RWTH team on the publication of their peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Cleaner Production entitled:
Social acceptance of solar fuels in Germany: Evidence from a national survey on artificial photosynthesis-derived isobutanol
In this study, our partners at RWTH provide evidence on the social acceptance and public perceptions of artificial-photosynthesis-derived solar isobutanol in Germany on the foundation of a census-representative sample of 830 participants. Their findings underline that successful scaling of solar fuels requires both (i) credible, verifiable claims about climate and sustainability performance to sustain sociopolitical legitimacy and market interest, and (ii) targeted risk management and participatory, trust-building approaches for local implementation — especially regarding production safety and GMO governance. Future research should track opinion dynamics over time as familiarity increases and should further disentangle sector-specific acceptance mechanisms, particularly for non-fuel applications where perceptions appear more heterogeneous and cautious.
REFINE through this work highlights that the viability of solar fuels will not be determined by technical performance alone, but social acceptance and societal perception are critical for the implementation, scaling, and ultimate impact of such innovative energy transition technology.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
Social acceptance of solar fuels in Germany: Evidence from a national survey on artificial photosynthesis-derived isobutanol
In this study, our partners at RWTH provide evidence on the social acceptance and public perceptions of artificial-photosynthesis-derived solar isobutanol in Germany on the foundation of a census-representative sample of 830 participants. Their findings underline that successful scaling of solar fuels requires both (i) credible, verifiable claims about climate and sustainability performance to sustain sociopolitical legitimacy and market interest, and (ii) targeted risk management and participatory, trust-building approaches for local implementation — especially regarding production safety and GMO governance. Future research should track opinion dynamics over time as familiarity increases and should further disentangle sector-specific acceptance mechanisms, particularly for non-fuel applications where perceptions appear more heterogeneous and cautious.
REFINE through this work highlights that the viability of solar fuels will not be determined by technical performance alone, but social acceptance and societal perception are critical for the implementation, scaling, and ultimate impact of such innovative energy transition technology.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
REFINE and Loughborough University participation in three international conferences in UK and Greece
June 2026
Our post-doctoral researcher Dr. Akepogu Venkateshwarlu from the Loughborough University attended three outstanding international conferences, each providing valuable opportunities to present his research, reconnect with colleagues and collaborators, engage with new researchers, exchange ideas, and learn about the latest advances in electrochemical engineering, process systems engineering, and sustainable chemical engineering.
- 14th European Symposium on Electrochemical Engineering (ESEE 2026) | the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK | 8–11 June 2026
Oral presentation entitled:
“CFD Modelling and Optimal Design and Operation of a Novel Alkaline Water Electrolyser”
(Authors: Akepogu Venkateshwarlu, PhD and Prof. Brahim Benyahia) - 36th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE 36) | The University of Sheffield, UK | 21–24 June 2026
Poster presentation entitled:
“CFD-based Optimal Design of a Portable and Stackable Alkaline Water Electrolyser for Hydrogen Production”
(Authors: Akepogu Venkateshwarlu, PhD, Prof. Gianluca Li Puma and Prof. Brahim Benyahia) - SuSChemE – Sustainable Systems & Chemical Engineering (SUSCHEME-SUSTENS2) | Athens, Greece | 28–30 June 2026
Oral presentation entitled:
“CFD-based Optimal Design and Operation of a Bioreactor for Enhanced Autotrophic Polyhydroxybutyrate Production from CO₂, H₂, and O₂ Using Cupriavidus necator”
(Authors: Akepogu Venkateshwarlu, PhD and Prof. Brahim Benyahia)
Dr. Akepogu Venkateshwarlu poster presentation at ESCAPE 36
Dr. Akepogu Venkateshwarlu with Prof. Brahim Benyahia and colleagues at ESCAPE 36
Dr. Akepogu Venkateshwarlu oral presentation at ESEE 2026
Meeting with Dragos Neagu and Micah Soriano from our partners in University of Strathclyde at ESEE 2026 conference
Dr. Akepogu Venkateshwarlu oral presentation at ESEE 2026
REFINE participation in the 6th GVNL electrochemistry graduate school (GVNL-ECCM) in Noordwijk, Holland
29 June to 3 July 2026
Our PhD student Abhijai Velluva from the University of Oslo attended an outstanding electrochemistry graduate school (GVNL-ECCM) held in Noordwijk as part of GroenvermogenNL. The program featured fantastic talks and teaching from experts in electrochemistry, along with vibrant participation from enthusiastic young researchers. The entire experience was energetic and engaging and included fun activities such as a music night, board games, and time at the beach, as Abhijai explains.
The program kicked off with Fundamentals of Electrochemistry presented by Marc Koper, followed by talks from Marco Altomare, Amanda Garcia, Dulce M. Morales, Oumaïma Gharbi, Ward van der Stam, Rik Mom, Thijs de Groot, Alexander Bagger, Antoni Forner-Cuenca, Thomas Burdyny, Vassilis Kyriakou and concluded with a discussion on System Integration by Mar Pérez-Fortes.
Abhijai had also the opportunity to present part of his work on perovskite-based materials for the OER as a poster at the event, which led to meaningful interactions with the audience and a great exchange of ideas during the poster session.
Additionally, Abhijai had the chance to visit TNO as part of the program, which provided valuable insights into their role in bridging fundamental university research and industry.
REFINE will also organize such a summer school in Almeria, Spain in September 2027 where the focus will be in photo-electrochemistry and the production of solar fuels. More news on this event will follow later.
The program kicked off with Fundamentals of Electrochemistry presented by Marc Koper, followed by talks from Marco Altomare, Amanda Garcia, Dulce M. Morales, Oumaïma Gharbi, Ward van der Stam, Rik Mom, Thijs de Groot, Alexander Bagger, Antoni Forner-Cuenca, Thomas Burdyny, Vassilis Kyriakou and concluded with a discussion on System Integration by Mar Pérez-Fortes.
Abhijai had also the opportunity to present part of his work on perovskite-based materials for the OER as a poster at the event, which led to meaningful interactions with the audience and a great exchange of ideas during the poster session.
Additionally, Abhijai had the chance to visit TNO as part of the program, which provided valuable insights into their role in bridging fundamental university research and industry.
REFINE will also organize such a summer school in Almeria, Spain in September 2027 where the focus will be in photo-electrochemistry and the production of solar fuels. More news on this event will follow later.
REFINE participation in SPEA13 conference in Krakow, Poland
22-26 June 2026
Our PhD student Sarah Geo from the University of Oslo had the opportunity to present both an oral talk and a poster at the 13th European Meeting on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Environmental Applications (SPEA13), held from June 22nd to 26th at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland! The talk centered around her work on BSCF-based perovskites, while her poster on her DFT studies of the structure of a PtNi bimetallic catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Fifth REFINE project meeting
Oslo, Norway
18 - 19 June 2026
The REFINE project has its 5th general assembly meeting a few days ago in Oslo, Norway, hosted by our partners at the Institute for Energy Technology. Many results have already been generated and during those days we defined its current status and our strategy for their communication. What you should expect from REFINE in the upcoming months:
🔹 A Solar Fuels roadmap and specific roll out scenarios of our highly scalable technology!
🔹 Technical results showing the selective synthesis of isobutanol from CO2, hydrogen and oxygen!
🔹 Policy requirements and communication needs to bring Solar Fuels to society!
A big thank you to our hosts at Institute for Energy Technology for their warm hospitality and to all participants for their efforts and results so far!
New partner
April 2026
REFINE welcomes to its consortium a new member, the Solar Energy Research Centre (CIESOL).
CIESOL is an Affiliated Entity to CIEMAT-PSA and it will contribute expertise in high-end analytical techniques for the detection of iso-butanol, as well as of any by-products produced by the genetically modified C. necator bacterial cultures.
For more details about CIESOL you can visit our Consortium page.
Webinar on European projects for solar fuels and chemicals
12th March 2026, 11:00
REFINE participates in a webinar on solar fuels and chemicals production through bioenergy systems organized by the S2B EU project. This insightful session is dedicated to the latest European innovations in solar fuels and algae-based chemical production. This webinar brings together four pioneering “sister projects” to share their progress, technologies, and vision for a sustainable bioeconomy.
More information and registration link can be found below:
[Webinar] European projects in solar fuels and chemical production from algae
More information and registration link can be found below:
[Webinar] European projects in solar fuels and chemical production from algae
New paper publication in Sustainable Chemistry
Congratulations to the AUTH team for their new peer-reviewed article in Sustainable Energy on oxygen evolving catalysts for acidic water electrolysis.
Their refined approach allows for ultra-low Ir loading while maintaining high activity towards the OER, addressing both cost and scalability challenges.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
New paper publication in Fuel Communications
We congratulate the RWTH team on their peer-reviewed article in Fuel Communications:
The study investigates how public information needs and perceived knowledge influence the social acceptance of solar fuels produced via artificial photosynthesis. Using qualitative interviews and a quasi-experimental online survey, the authors show that richer information increases perceived knowledge, which in turn fosters more positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of the alternative fuel. While information has no direct effect on acceptance, its indirect impact via perceived knowledge is substantial.
These findings provide valuable guidance for designing targeted communication strategies for solar fuels and other sustainable energy innovations.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
The study investigates how public information needs and perceived knowledge influence the social acceptance of solar fuels produced via artificial photosynthesis. Using qualitative interviews and a quasi-experimental online survey, the authors show that richer information increases perceived knowledge, which in turn fosters more positive cognitive and emotional evaluations of the alternative fuel. While information has no direct effect on acceptance, its indirect impact via perceived knowledge is substantial.
These findings provide valuable guidance for designing targeted communication strategies for solar fuels and other sustainable energy innovations.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
Fourth REFINE project meeting
Thessaloniki, Greece
19 - 20 November 2025
The REFINE project had its 4th general assembly meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, hosted by our partners in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). A highly productive two-day meeting, where we discussed on:
🔹 The project’s scientific and technological progress
🔹 The results, challenges, and future opportunities
🔹 The upcoming work and next steps
🙏 A big thank you to our hosts for their warm hospitality and to all participants for their efforts and results so far!
🔹 The project’s scientific and technological progress
🔹 The results, challenges, and future opportunities
🔹 The upcoming work and next steps
🙏 A big thank you to our hosts for their warm hospitality and to all participants for their efforts and results so far!
New paper publication
We congratulate the AUTH team for the newly published article on OER catalysts in acidic media.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
The article can be read for free here and is also available for download at Documents & Media.
Third REFINE project meeting
Aachen, Germany
11 - 12 June 2025
In June 2025 REFINE had the third project meeting in which all the project developments have been discussed and plans for the next period were made.
More importantly, our hosting partner from RWTH prepared another workshop, bringing the consortium a step closer to defining the REFINE roadmap on solar fuels!
Our ambition is that our roadmap will be universally applied and bring solar fuel production closer to market applications. Follow REFINE and find out more about it.
More importantly, our hosting partner from RWTH prepared another workshop, bringing the consortium a step closer to defining the REFINE roadmap on solar fuels!
Our ambition is that our roadmap will be universally applied and bring solar fuel production closer to market applications. Follow REFINE and find out more about it.
REFINE project meeting in Aachen, Germany, 11-12th of June 2025
Maike (RWTH), James (OUH), Sarah (UiO) and Junjie (IFE) discussing roll out scenarios during the meeting workshop
Kimia (UoS), Martina (RWTH), Katrin (RWTH) and Paul (OUH) discussing roll out scenarios for solar fuels
Micah (UoS), Eva (RWTH) and Truls (UiO) in their team discussing roll out scenarios on solar fuels
Athanasios (UiO), Isabel (CIEMAT-PSA) and Wiktoria (RWTH) discussing roll out scenarios on solar fuels
Interaction with online participants that couldn’t be in Aachen physically
Lunch break
Aachen, Germany, June 2025
REFINE participated in the M3-S Conference in Toruń, Poland
27 - 30 May 2025
REFINE participated in the M3-S “Applied polymers, nanomaterials, membranes, and composites” Conference in Toruń, Poland, with three oral presentations and one poster contribution.
UiO and Athanasios Chatzitakis held an invited Plenary Presentation with the title “Advanced catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion”. This talk broadly covered activities for catalysts design in UiO, including developments within REFINE.
UoS and Micah Soriano presented the work entitled “Optimizing cobalt content of nanoparticle-supported catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER)”.
AUTH and Effrosyni Mitrousi presented her work on “Amorphous anodized porous titania as IrO2 substrates for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction”. In addition she presented a poster contribution with the title “Pt and Pt-Ni Catalysts Supported on Ti as HER Cathodes in Alkaline Media”.
We would also like to congratulate Effrosyni for receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award from the European Membrane Society (EMS), as well as for the Best Poster Presentation by Membranes (MDPI)! 🎉🎉🎉
UiO and Athanasios Chatzitakis held an invited Plenary Presentation with the title “Advanced catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion”. This talk broadly covered activities for catalysts design in UiO, including developments within REFINE.
UoS and Micah Soriano presented the work entitled “Optimizing cobalt content of nanoparticle-supported catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER)”.
AUTH and Effrosyni Mitrousi presented her work on “Amorphous anodized porous titania as IrO2 substrates for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction”. In addition she presented a poster contribution with the title “Pt and Pt-Ni Catalysts Supported on Ti as HER Cathodes in Alkaline Media”.
We would also like to congratulate Effrosyni for receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award from the European Membrane Society (EMS), as well as for the Best Poster Presentation by Membranes (MDPI)! 🎉🎉🎉
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, where the M3-S Conference was held
Micah Soriano (UoS) presenting REFINE developments on OER catalysts
Effrosyni Mitrousi presenting REFINE developments on OER catalysts in M3-S Conference
Statue of Nikolaus Koperikus in Toruń, Poland, where he was born and lived
Panoramic view of Toruń, Poland
M3-S Conference poster with REFINE’s PI, Athanasios Chatzitakis as a Plenary Speaker
Group photo
Plenary talk by Athanasios Chatzitakis at M3-S Conference
Athanasios Chatzitakis with Prof. Anna Ilnicka, member of the organizing committee
Best poster presentation award for Effrosyni Mitrousi and her work on HER catalysts within REFINE
Best oral presentation award for Effrosyni Mitrousi’s talk in M3-S Conference and her work on OER catalysts within REFINE
Award ceremony with Effrosyni Mitrousi receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award by the European Membrane Society (EMS)
Award ceremony with Effrosyni Mitrousi receiving the Best Poster Presentation award by Membranes (MDPI)
REFINE hydrogen evolving catalysts studied at Diamond and MAXIV facilities under operando conditions
April and May 2025
In April and May 2025, the developed catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were studied with X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) under operando conditions at both Diamond (UK) and MAXIV (Sweden).
New insights on the elemental states and structure of the developed materials have been enabled. These measurements have been generously supported by the group of Dr. Pablo Fernández from the Department of Physical Chemistry, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Centre for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Brazil.
The PhD candidate Rafael Vicente from UNICAMP led the measurements and the findings of these works will soon be made available.
New insights on the elemental states and structure of the developed materials have been enabled. These measurements have been generously supported by the group of Dr. Pablo Fernández from the Department of Physical Chemistry, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Centre for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Brazil.
The PhD candidate Rafael Vicente from UNICAMP led the measurements and the findings of these works will soon be made available.
Abhijai (UiO), Rafael (UNICAMP), Micah (UoS), Effrosyni (AUTH) and Athanasios (UiO) outside the MAXIV facilities
MAXIV, Lund, Sweden
Mounting the electrochemical cell for operando XAS measurements
View from the control room at MAXIV
View from the measurement station at MAXIV
Rafael (UNICAMP), Effrosyni (AUTh), Abhijai (UiO), Micah (UoS) and Athanasios (UiO) at the end of the session at MAXIV
View of the electrochemical workstation at Diamond
View of the electrochemical cell under operando XAS measurements at Diamond
"Women leading the energy transition"
A REFINE event celebrating the International Women's Day and Female Leadership in Academia and Industry
7th March 2025
On Friday the 7th of March, the REFINE project, as well as SMN, celebrated the International Women’s Day with a very special event, which took place in UiO’s Science Library (Vilhelm Bjerknes hus).
We had the pleasure of having with us, our Dean, Prof. Solveig Kristensen, who opened the event, followed by presentations from five female leaders coming from the University of Oslo (UiO), SINTEF, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and Plataforma Solar del Almeria, University of Almeria, Spain.
Prof. Unni Olsbye, Prof. Anja Olafsen Sjåstad, Dr. Annett Thøgersen, Dr. Isabel Oller and Dr. Ragnhild Hancke, all shared their journey in academia and industry and how they became leaders.
In the last part of the event, Dr. Ragnhild Hancke (IFE) moderated a panel discussion, which shed more light on how they all became leaders in academia and industry and they all provided us with important insights on how to develop leading skills. These are not only for applicable to women, but to everyone.
In conclusion, times are changing, women develop a strong basis for leading research and innovation and are already shaping our Energy Future.
We had the pleasure of having with us, our Dean, Prof. Solveig Kristensen, who opened the event, followed by presentations from five female leaders coming from the University of Oslo (UiO), SINTEF, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and Plataforma Solar del Almeria, University of Almeria, Spain.
Prof. Unni Olsbye, Prof. Anja Olafsen Sjåstad, Dr. Annett Thøgersen, Dr. Isabel Oller and Dr. Ragnhild Hancke, all shared their journey in academia and industry and how they became leaders.
In the last part of the event, Dr. Ragnhild Hancke (IFE) moderated a panel discussion, which shed more light on how they all became leaders in academia and industry and they all provided us with important insights on how to develop leading skills. These are not only for applicable to women, but to everyone.
In conclusion, times are changing, women develop a strong basis for leading research and innovation and are already shaping our Energy Future.
A. Chatzitakis (PI) - Welcome speech
Dean Prof. Kristensen - Kicking off the event
Dr. Annett Thøgersen (SINTEF)
Dr. Isabel Oller (CIEMAT-PSA)
Dr. Ragnhild Hancke (IFE)
Prof. Anja Olafsen Sjåstad (UiO)
Prof. Unni Olsbye (UiO)
Panel discussion
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Women Leading Research
In light of the upcoming Women’s Day (8th of March 2025), the REFINE project organizes a very special event in which six female leaders share their journey to lead research and innovation and their motivation behind it. Through this open to all event at UiO, we aim to discuss how further female contribution in science and innovation can shape our energy future. More details and the full program can be found here.
"Women leading the energy transition"
Vilhelm Bjerknes hus, Oslo
7th March 2025
Thank you AUTh for two days of important insights on "Novel Electrode Materials for electrochemical energy conversion"
We would like to congratulate Prof. Sotiropoulos and the team at AUTh for organizing and delivering an excellent workshop and platform for discussions on “Novel Electrode Materials for electrochemical energy conversion applications”.
Key takeaways included the increasing importance of computational modeling in material design and of AI in combinatorial screening experiments, as well as the traditional but still ongoing challenges related to stability, cost-effective production and scalability.
The workshop highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together academics and researchers to explore real-world application prospects.
The Physical Chemistry Laboratory of the Chemistry Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, within the framework of the HORIZON (101122323) project, From Solar Energy to Fuel: A Holistic Artificial Photosynthesis Platform to produce Viable Solar Fuels (REFINE), organizes a two-day Workshop on «Novel Electrode Materials», on 18-19 February 2025, at a «ΚΕΔΕΑ» conference hall, including seminars by 12 invited speakers.
The Workshop should be of interest to members of the academic, research and industry communities active in the area of applied electrochemistry.
More details and registration (hybrid event with live streaming) can be found in the
workshop’s website. The program can be downloaded here.
We are very happy to announce the first workshop organized within REFINE on "Novel Electrode Materials"
We would like to welcome on board our PhD students:
- Isabel Espinoza (CIEMAT-PSA)
- Micah Soriano (UoS)
- Effrosyni Mitrousi (AUTH)
- Sarah Geo (UiO)
- Abhijai Velluva (UiO)
As well as post docs and research associates:
- Akepogu Venkateshwarlu (LU)
- Kimia Jafari (UoS)
- Eva-Maria Schomakers (RWTH)
- Wiktoria Wilkowska (RWTH)
Welcoming new colleagues
November 2024
REFINE has announced a PhD fellowship at the University of Oslo (UiO) related to catalyst materials to be developed in our water electrolyzer. Find the full announcement here.
27th June 2024 – Update: Applications are now closed.
Interested in working with us?
Oslo, Norway
07.05.2024
Let's Talk About Energy.
Oslo, Norway
02.05.2024
The co-PI of REFINE, Athanasios Chatzitakis, held a popular science talk regarding Energy titled «Can water be the coal of the future?», in which the overall goal of REFINE was advertised. The event «Let’s talk about Energy» was organized by UiO: Energy and Environment and took place in Oslo, Norway, on the 2nd of May 2024. You can download the presentation here.
