CA24120 - Sustainable Thermoelectrics European Network (SUSTENET)

The strategies outlined in the European Green Deal and the EU Action Plans on Critical Raw Materials and the Circular Economy highlight the need for an sustainable development of renewable energy ecosystems and the efficient use of resources to promote a decarbonized society. Thermoelectric (TE) technology is regarded as alternative and environmentally friendly technology for harvesting and recovering heat, which is directly converted into electrical energy, as well as for cooling, heating and hybrid applications. The TE technology indeed holds significant potential for sustainable energy practices and the integration of the TE systems could lead to a new era of energy efficiency and contribute substantially to the EU energy sustainability efforts. Although the range of applications that can benefit from the use of devices based on this technology is very wide, there is still a supply chain to be developed. SUSTENET will address this issue by accelerating collaborative interdisciplinary knowledge generation and engagement with industrial partners, maximizing impact through knowledge creation and transfer, conducting environmental impact assessments and promoting research excellence. Additionally, SUSTENET will promote career development through workshops, seminars, and training schools, and will engage in extensive dissemination activities to amplify the impact of the outcomes. To achieve these goals, SUSTENET will be organized into 4 interconnected working groups:

WG1 – Scaling Sustainability through Artificial Intelligence

WG2 – Applications and User Cases

WG3 – Business Development and Supply Chain

WG4 – Dissemination, Communication and Training