Research efforts are driving the development of green methanol. It’s currently used by industry, but it may soon also power vehicles and ships. However, can the process of converting CO2 into clean-burning fuel possibly replace gasoline?
As the world frantically searches for answers to combat climate change, a group of scientists have discovered a potentially game-changing solution for sustainable transportation.
In the picturesque German city of Lindau, famous for its breathtaking landscapes of valleys and serene lakes reminiscent of a fairy tale, a pioneering company is pioneering the conversion of air into a sustainable green fuel.
“We consider CO2 to be not merely a waste product, but a valuable resource for the production of a wide range of products,” explains Johannes Brock, a chemist and chief technology officer at Obrist Group, an Austrian company with a history of over two decades in the automotive powertrain sector.
To achieve this, Brock and his team employ the method called “direct air capture,” or DAC, which is a technology that removes CO2 from the air and renders it suitable for industrial applications.
Although this technology appears to be a product of science fiction, it has actually been in existence for more than a decade. Nevertheless, it has only been refined on a small scale and not to this extent. “The technique is operational on a small scale,” Brock stated to pojokinfo.biz.id. “However, the major technical constraint lies in constructing large-scale facilities and ensuring the procedure remains efficient.”
Is green methanol a feasible alternative?
The primary challenge lies in securing sufficient funding. This is the main concern for Anna Mas Herrador, a biochemical engineer at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Catalonia, Spain, who is studying this technology: “The main obstacle to large-scale implementation of DAC is the high costs involved.”
Recent research and available resources can accelerate the process. “Other low-emission technologies, including solar panels or batteries, have experienced significant price decreases in recent years. Similar declines are also anticipated for DAC in the near future,” Mas Herrador stated in an interview with pojokinfo.biz.id.
to operate as hybrids. They integrate a smaller electric battery with a methanol-fueled engine and test them on the streets of Lindau.
Our hybrid models’ batteries are not only expensive but also weigh heavily. By producing these vehicles, manufacturing costs are decreased by approximately 50%, reports Frank Obrist, CEO and founder of Obrist Group. ‘The goal is to offer these types of vehicles to the average citizen for an affordable price of €25,000, roughly equivalent to $26,600.’
Boosting renewable energy sources and increasing the production of electric vehicles.
For Carlos Bravo, an environmental consultant at the European platform Transport and Environment, permitting the use of synthetic e-fuels in road transport could potentially undermine the entire decarbonization initiative.
“Decarbonizing the transportation sector is a significant undertaking and there is no scope for wasteful use of electricity,” Bravo told pojokinfo.biz.id.
According to a study published in 2023 by Transport and Environment and other European climate organizations, to boost e-fuel usage in road transportation, a substantial increase in renewable energy production would be required. This would involve the construction of a considerable number of additional renewable energy facilities.
“If you directly inject renewable electricity into a car battery, you can achieve up to a fivefold increase in energy efficiency compared to utilizing that electricity to produce low-carbon fuel,” Bravo stated.
However, electric vehicles may only be available to a select few at this time. The Obrist Group maintains that they are still too costly and that hybrid models of this type can help accelerate the transition. “We cannot transform the entire automotive sector into electric cars overnight. So, alternative, environmentally friendly solutions to address this issue are needed,” Brock argues.
For the third consecutive quarter.
For his part, Carlos Bravo believes that the focus on electric cars needs to be maintained. “Hybrid cars, not even those using methanol, are not practical, and even less so currently, considering the rapid advancement of battery technology, which will continue to improve in the near future,” he said. “Concurrently, the rollout of the necessary public charging infrastructure is already in progress.”
Utilizing the technology on an international scope
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In this regard, Bravo goes to an even greater extent: “It would be an excellent option for maritime transportation, where the possibilities of using batteries similar to those in vehicles are still very limited.”
Furthermore, Directed Assembly of Assemblies (DAC) technology can play a crucial role in the entire process.
“It has great potential as it can capture CO2 directly from the air, irrespective of where it’s located. It can work well with other efforts to prevent climate change, such as cutting emissions and using renewable energy,” Mas Herrador summarized.
As the sun dips over Lindau, it becomes evident that a definitive solution remains elusive. A future where environmentally friendly transportation is a reality may be within reach, but attaining it will demand more than just a breath of fresh air.
Edited by: Tim Rooks
Author: Fernando Mateos Frühbeck
