Since September 2020, Dr. Antonino Salvatore Aricò has served as Director of the Institute of Advanced Energy Technologies at the Italian National Research Council. Trained as an electrochemist, his scientific activity has been primarily devoted to hydrogen technologies and electrochemical energy conversion.
In this regard, interest has emerged in seawater electrolysis for green hydrogen production as a key strategy to avoid competing with other sectors, such as agriculture and industrial or civil applications, for freshwater supplies.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher/project manager?
My interest in the field of research, in particular on green hydrogen, arose from a desire to contribute to identifying solutions for the energy and environmental problems currently plaguing our society. Furthermore, my goal is to reduce the reliance of new technologies on critical materials.
What is your (main) research area today?
i) Energy transition with the development of new and advanced energy storage technologies to support a wide diffusion of renewable energy sources in particular the development of electrolysis systems.
ii) Energy technologies covering energy and fuel production from renewable power sources including CO2 recycling through co-electrolysis and catalytic processes.
iii) Low carbon technologies including hydrogen technologies, batteries, and solar cells.
iv) Development of non-critical raw materials-based electrocatalysts and semiconductors to address raw materials availability for the new energy technologies
What is the main focus of your team in SWEETHY?
i) Anode catalyst development for seawater electrolysis
ii) Cathode catalyst development for seawater electrolysis
iii) MEA development
iv) Single cell testing
v) Electrolyser stack testing
Could you describe your favourite moment/satisfaction when working for the project and – more in general – for your organisation?
Some of my favourite moments of satisfaction regard the active collaboration with other groups and partners, the share and discussion of new results at progress meeting and conferences, the publication of the project results in scientific journals, the achievement of relevant project objectives.
How do you expect SWEETHY results will affect your organisation and the energy storage sector?
The successful achievement of the SWEETHY objectives will allow to establish new important programs in the field of green hydrogen allowing to discuss this new route to produce renewable fuels with national and EU policy makers.
