Hydrogen electricity

A University of Nottingham-led project that aims to produce hydrogen by using energy from the sun has won one of E.ON’s annual research awards.

The new process of producing environmentally friendly hydrogen uses three abundant and renewable sources: sunlight, biomass and water.

It combines solar-driven cleavage of water and the degradation of organic compounds, avoiding the use of energy derived from fossil fuels and carbon-dioxide emissions.

The E.ON Research Awards this year were based on the application of nanotechnology in the energy sector.

The awards were given to nine projects by eleven universities and institutes from six countries — the UK, Sweden, Greece, US, Australia and Germany.