Sustainable design of multiscale CO2 electrolysis: A value sensitive design-based approach

At the heart of TU Delft’s e-Refinery initiative lies a powerful intersection between cutting-edge electrochemical research and the societal values it impacts. The latest publications from e-Refinery researchers, now available on their research page, showcase not only scientific advancements in CO₂ conversion and electrolysis but also raise critical questions about sustainability, responsibility, and long-term societal benefit.

From a Design for Values perspective, it is inspiring to see how these technological developments are increasingly shaped by ethical considerations and systemic thinking. How do we ensure these solutions serve not only efficiency and innovation but also equity, environmental justice, and public trust?

We invite you to explore the full list of recent publications and reflect on how values can—and should—guide the future of energy technologies.

Abstract:

The present study utilizes a value sensitive design (VSD) inspired approach to contribute to the design and implementation of CO₂ electrolysis (CO₂E) within the framework of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, which convert CO₂ into valuable products. The focus of this study is on a low technology readiness level (TRL) technology, yet likely relevant to reach climate neutrality by 2050. We examine the perspectives of stakeholders along the supply chain and proactively identify relevant sustainability-related values and potential conflicts among them. Thus the current work highlights the importance of considering a broad range of stakeholders and their values in the early stages of technological design. The research approach is consisting of various steps inspired by value sensitive design (VSD): identifying relevant values and norms associated with CO2 electrolysis through literature analysis, conducting qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders to triangulate the results. Subsequently, a value-based alignment network analysis was employed to examine shared values that are central for the design of the technology. The findings indicate that sustainability-related values such as concern for nature, climate change mitigation, the use of renewable energy, critical raw materials, cost, and return on investment, albeit with potential differences in interpretation, are increasingly becoming central considerations in the decision-making processes of individuals, businesses, and governments alike. Based on these findings, specific aspects of technology design, namely scale, location, integration, and synthesized product, that can impact a wide range of identified values, are discussed.

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