A HKUST-led project focused on energy storage was awarded HK$50 million in the seventh round of the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Theme-based Research Scheme. Titled “Creation of Rechargeable Electron-fuels for Stationary Power Supplies and Electric Vehicles”, the project is led by Cheong Ying Chan Professor of Engineering and Environment Prof Tianshou Zhao, Chair Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Director of HKUST Energy Institute, and collaborated by CUHK, HKU, HKUST and PolyU. It comes under the Developing a Sustainable Environment theme.

The project aims to address the challenges preventing the widespread use of renewable energy. The research team proposes to develop a novel energy storage system that incorporates electrically rechargeable liquid fuels known as e-fuels. This system mainly consists of an e-fuel charger that electrochemically converts electricity into e-fuels, which in turn can be converted back into electricity using an e-fuel cell for end use. Ultimately, this research will result in an electricity-fuel-electricity conversion system with unprecedented efficiencies exceeding 80%. The e-fuel storage technology offers an excellent solution not only for grid-scale and micro-grid energy storage, but also for off-grid and distributed energy system power supplies.

Projects approved under this competitive scheme focus on research of strategic importance to the long-term development of Hong Kong and contribute to advances on grand challenges. They encourage collaboration among different institutions in Hong Kong and multidisciplinary research.

Five projects out of 48 applications were awarded in this round, where the project led by Prof Zhao is one of the two that received the largest amount of funding. The project is also the highest-funded one among the five Theme-based Research Scheme projects led by School of Engineering academics in the seven annual rounds announced to date.

Related link:

• Theme-based Research Scheme 2017/18 (Seventh Round) Funding Results