As the STORMING project enters its final year, consortium partners came together in London on 11–12 September 2024for the 4th Consortium Meeting, hosted by Finden Ltd. This in-person gathering was essential for reinforcing coordination and addressing critical technical milestones that will define the project’s legacy.
STORMING (Structured unconventional reactors for CO₂-free methane catalytic cracking) is a pioneering Horizon Europe project developing innovative, structured reactors powered by renewable electricity. These reactors are designed to convert fossil and renewable methane into CO₂-free hydrogen and high-value carbon nanomaterials. The resulting hydrogen supports clean energy targets, while the carbon nanomaterials have potential applications in advanced battery technologies.
During the London meeting, all six work packages presented progress updates. Discussions centred around validation of catalysts under Joule and microwave heating, the refinement of 3D-printed structures, and scaling efforts to prepare for full reactor integration and industrial applicability. These sessions helped ensure that the work remains on track and well-coordinated across disciplines and partners.
The format of the meeting facilitated deep technical exchanges, allowing researchers from across Europe to share best practices and refine cross-WP workflows. This collaborative spirit is central to STORMING’s success, as it helps bridge the gaps between material science, reactor design, and system integration.
Beyond technical updates, the meeting also included a guided tour of Finden’s cutting-edge imaging and synchrotron characterisation facilities, which have been instrumental in supporting the project’s material development.
On the dissemination front, the consortium reviewed upcoming outreach activities, including the project’s participation in Hydrogen Week 2024 in Brussels. Plans were also advanced for the final public event in 2025, which will showcase the project’s full-scale reactor and disseminate key findings to industry and policy stakeholders.
With momentum building and strong coordination among partners, the STORMING project is now fully focused on delivering its final outputs. The next Consortium Meeting will take place in March 2025 at DTU in Denmark, hosted in the newly inaugurated Climate Challenge Laboratory.