The MaRS (Renewable Solar Methane) contract is signed
The MaRS (Renewable Solar Methane) contract is signed IDF Innov is supporting the Université Paris Diderot and the French gas industry in developing alternative energy sources.
On Monday October 22 2018, Erganeo, researchers from the Université Paris Diderot and companies GRDF, GRTgaz and Teréga met at Paris Diderot’s premises to sign the MaRS (Renewable Solar Methane) contract. This research contract marks the consortium’s official beginnings and brings all parties together around a dual objective: Developing innovative solar energy storage solutions and promoting converting CO2 into fuel.
A research project that is paving the way for new possibilities
The MARS project was launched at the Laboratoire d’Électrochimie Moléculaire (LEM), a joint unit run by the CNRS and Université Paris Diderot. Led by Marc Robert and Julien Bonin, a team of researchers achieved a world first: using an iron catalyst and solar energy to convert CO2 into methane. This breakthrough innovation enables energy to be stored in a molecule to then be converted into biogas that can be used as fuel.
Research and innovation to fight the climate emergency
Today, humans produce more CO2 than any other greenhouse gas: it is responsible for 63% of global warming. In the context of France’s Climate Plan and the Paris Agreement, the French Ministry for Sustainable and Ecological Transition is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which is reliant on CO2 emissions in the air being slashed. The goal is to make the Paris Agreement a reality, and the MARS project is contributing to this ambition. With the renewable gas market sky-rocketing, this process would contribute to France achieving energy independence. Consequently, the French gas industry’s key players decided to work with Paris Erganeo researchers - Press release - October 22 2018 Diderot to form synergies to develop alternative energy sources. Erganeo decided to support this team in a bid to turn this invention into a form of breakthrough innovation in a major groundbreaking accomplishment that boosts French competitiveness in the renewable energy sector. Erganeo is proud of its commitment to this ambitious project and is a firm believer in energy transition.
About Erganeo – www.erganeo.com
Erganeo is an investment fund that specializes in breakthrough innovations (Deep Tech) with major societal impact. We invest early in the game to secure researchers’ newest inventions before they are transferred to companies or before start-ups are founded, across a wide range of scientific fields: Biotech, Infotech (Telecom, connected objects, big data, AI) and Enertech (new energy, chemistry, materials), among others.
Erganeo aims to accelerate and simplify links between research and industry for the benefit of society. To do so, we finance and accompany the new generation of French researchers and entrepreneurs on the road to international recognition and success.
As a member of the SATT Network, Erganeo draws on the Ile-de-France network in building the foundations of a better tomorrow, tapping into a talent pool of over 20,000 researchers across 370 cutting-edge, leading laboratories. Since it was founded, Erganeo has invested over €27m, thus contributing to signing 62 licensing agreements with companies of all sizes, and setting up 13 start-ups.
Press contact: Céline Clausener - Director of Public Affairs – +33(0)1 44 23 21 52//+33(0)7 61 04 60 02
About the Université Paris Diderot - www.univ-paris-diderot.fr
The Université Paris Diderot is one of France’s leading multi-disciplinary intensive research universities on an international scale. The excellent work produced in its 87 laboratories, which are linked to major bodies and institutions, make Paris Diderot one of French research’s key stakeholders. Environmental factors have always been key to the research conducted at Paris Diderot.
About GRDF - www.grdf.fr
GRDF is France’s primary natural gas distribution network operator, a subsidiary of ENGIE (its sole shareholder) with 197,927 km of distribution pipelines, 11 million clients and a total of 277 TWh of gas distributed in 2015. Its three strategic priorities are industrial security, client expertise and focus and innovation via digitalized distribution & renewable gas promotion.
About GRTgaz - www.grtgaz.com
GRTgaz is one of Europe’s leading natural gas transporters and an international expert in gas transportation systems and networks. As an active upholder of energy transition, GRTgaz invests in innovative solutions to adapt its network to new developments and reconcile competitiveness, security of supply and environmental safeguarding.
About Teréga - www.terega.fr
Teréga is working to put the future of gas within reach by acting as an accelerator for energy transition and a key contributor to the energy models of the future. For over 70 years now, Teréga has been deepening its unparalleled expertise in gas storage and transport infrastructure development, paving the way for developing new solutions to meet challenges in energy across France and Europe.