The ELEKTRA project — ADVANCED ELECTRIFICATION OF KEY INDUSTRIAL REACTIONS — officially kicked off 13th May in Madrid, marking the beginning of an ambitious European collaboration focused on industrial electrification and decarbonisation.
Funded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) under the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No. 101294850), ELEKTRA officially started on 1 May 2026 and will run for 48 months.
The project aims to design, build, and demonstrate a technology platform based on three intensified, electrified reactors capable of replacing conventional heat-driven units in ironmaking. By addressing key bottlenecks in the steel value chain, ELEKTRA will contribute to more sustainable and energy-efficient industrial processes.
Coordinated by Iberdrola and supported by 1 Cube BV — which also led the proposal preparation — the CONSORTIUM brings together 15 partners from 5 European countries, combining expertise in steel production, materials, catalyst technologies, plasma and electrified reactors, membranes, process engineering, sustainability assessment, and industrial innovation.
The project will focus on developing key technological building blocks for:
- Top Gas reforming
- CO₂ splitting
- Ammonia cracking
In parallel, comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) analyses will evaluate the project’s environmental and economic impact, while dedicated dissemination and communication activities will maximize outreach and stakeholder engagement.
The kick-off meeting in Madrid provided an excellent opportunity for partners to align on the project vision, technical objectives, and next steps for implementation.
ELEKTRA represents a significant step forward in advancing electrified industrial processes and supporting Europe’s transition toward climate-neutral industries.