Power-to-methanol: The role of process flexibility in the integration of variable renewable energy into chemical production

Accelerating net zero from the perspective of optimizing a carbon capture and utilization system

“…There are various pathways for either capture or utilization. Extensive studies have been done to optimize individual subsystems of CCU, e.g., pressure swing adsorption (PSA), [19][20][21][22] and monoethanolamine (MEA) for CO 2 capture, 23,24 methanol synthesis 11,15,25 or Fischer-Tropsch 26,27 for subsequent utilization. However, the performance of these sub-systems depends on each other, and thus individual optimal solutions cannot simultaneously co-exist.…”

“…b r = b r,0 + a r Ág CO2 (10) b p = b p,0 + a p Ág CO2 (11) where b: economic factors, $ per ton; a: lifecycle GHG emission factors, ton CO2 per ton; g CO2 : carbon price, $ per ton CO2 . Subscript -i: notation for sub-systems; r: notation for raw materials (natural gas, process water, MEA, etc.…”

“…[4][5][6] To address this challenge, it has been proposed to apply renewable energy to power the carbon utilization, thus forming 'power-to-X' (power refers to solar or wind renewable energy source; X refers to fuels or chemicals, such as methanol, H 2 , gasoline and polymers). 4,5,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, it is complex to immediately scale up these systems due to two facts: (1) a prerequisite is the access to cheap renewable energy, which requires a considerably higher renewable power capacity than todays' installations for wind turbines and solar photovoltaics; 14 (2) the intermittent renewable electricity requires either cheap battery systems or the feasibility for dynamic operation of the utilization processes. 8,11 Furthermore, several studies on hybrid systems, i.e.…”

Development of Sustainable Energy Use with Attention to Fruitful Policy

“…[93]. The actions such as Tariff policy amendments [94], encouraging investors to come to energy markets [95], full support of the equipment failure [96], forecasting natural disasters to prevent damages, and tackle potential hazards in relation with energy [97], issued the standardisation of renewable energy projects policy (testing, standardisation, and certification) [98], action plans for standards (testing and certification of performance) for renewable energy [99], improvement of manufactured components of the energy systems [100], improvement and co-optimisation of the infrastructure of energy systems [101], developing markets of renewable energy [102], finding main barriers of energy systems [103], review mechanism of energy efficiency policies especially for buildings [104], critical revisions energy efficiency policies [105], reduce the subsidies and invest in Research & Development Funding (R&D) lagging [106], increasing manufacturing storage system affordable to reduce the cost of renewables [107], and renewable energy technologies development [108], can be efficient as proper policy and regulatory framework initiatives by governments in sustainable energy use development.…”

Methanol Production in the Brayton Cycle

“…With the right policies and falling renewable energy prices, green methanol could be cost-competitive until 2050 or even earlier. Methanol, for energy purposes, is mainly used in fuel cells, reciprocating engines, and gas turbines [10,11].…”