The increasing availability of non-fossil energy technologies opens unprecedented possibilities to re-design the interface of energy and material value chains towards a sustainable future. FSC will generate fundamental knowledge as well as novel scientific methodologies to replace today’s fossil fuel-based static scenario by adaptive production and propulsion systems that are based on renewable energy and carbon resources under dynamic system boundaries.

Current research on renewable fuels is focused on fuel replacements for present-day engine technology that are either biofuels from non-food biomass or e-fuels from CO2 capture and utilization. FSC goes far beyond this approach by defining the scientific basis for the development of bio-hybrid fuels through integrated design of production and propulsion systems. The targeted technologies are adap-tive to anticipate the increasing diversification of energy supply and carbon feedstock availability for a mobility sector in transformation.

The (electro )catalytic production of fuels as well as chemicals is envisaged as an important enabler for flexible and economic value chains. Molecularly controlled combustion systems are targeted to maximize efficiency and minimize emissions during the recovery of the chemically stored renewable energy. Methodological approaches will be developed to assess and ultimately predict the environmental impact, economic viability, and societal relevance of the technical developments. FSC strengthens disciplinary competences in natural sciences, engineering sciences, and social sciences and converges them in a dynamic team science approach.

Forward-integration occurs from fundamental science to the complex systems of fuel production, mobility, and transportation. Simultaneously, system-level information is propagated back by inverse methodologies to enable an integrated molecular and machine design. FSC capitalizes on achievements of the Cluster of Excellence “Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass (TMFB)” to act as a structuring element at RWTH Aachen University and its partner institutions. Together with the Forschungszentrum Jülich and the two Max-Planck-Institutes at the Campus Mülheim, a world-class research environment will be established, which is embedded in a network of strategic partnerships with globally leading research institutions and companies. Joint appointment models for junior research groups, tenure track and lighthouse professorships will create attractive career paths within the German academic landscape.

Involved Institutions:

• Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
• Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg für Erneuerbare Energien (HI ERN)
• Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Energiekonversion (CEC)
• Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung