The microbiology of Power-to-X applications

Abstract

Power-to-X (P2X) technologies will play a more important role in the conversion of electric power to storable energy carriers, commodity chemicals and even food and feed. Among the different P2X technologies, microbial components form cornerstones of individual process steps. This review comprehensively presents the state-of-the-art of different P2X technologies from a microbiological standpoint. We are focusing on microbial conversions of hydrogen from water electrolysis to methane, other chemicals and proteins. We present the microbial toolbox needed to gain access to these products of interest, assess its current status and research needs, and discuss potential future developments that are needed to turn todays P2X concepts into tomorrow's technologies.

The potential of CO2-based production cycles in biotechnology to fight the climate crisis

“…Based on a Power-to-X concept we calculated the gross electricity demand for the potential production of carbon-based fuels, plastics, and food with the following assumptions: electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to formate is taken as the primary step, assuming an electrical energy demand of 3.40 MWh/t formate 60 , 61 . Further reduction of carbon in the cellular metabolism is accounted for by partial oxidation of formate to provide reduction equivalents on a stoichiometric basis.…”

Editorial: Women in microbial physiology and metabolism: 2022

“…In contrast to bacteria and yeasts, archaea are uncommon in biotechnological applications, apart from the central role of methanogenic archaea in producing biogas from organic waste streams. However, this anaerobic digestion process relies on complex microbial consortia dominated by bacteria (De Vrieze and Verstraete, 2016 ), whereas pure culture applications of methanogens in industrial scale are restricted to the biomethanation of hydrogen in Power-to-Gas approaches (Logroño et al, 2023 ). Carr and Buan review the opportunities for archaeal bioproducts beyond methane and describe how the unique and highly efficient metabolism of methanogens can be harnessed for the bioproduction of terpenes and future applications making use of synthetic biology.…”

Design and Construction of a New Reactor for Flexible Biomethanation of Hydrogen

“…Methanation can occur directly in a biogas plant by injecting hydrogen, called in situ methanation. However, in situ methanation can seriously inhibit the digestion of the biogas substrate if the hydrogen flow is too high [14,15]. When biomethanation is performed in a separate reactor that is fed with hydrogen and a carbon dioxide source, it is called ex situ methanation.…”

“…When biomethanation is performed in a separate reactor that is fed with hydrogen and a carbon dioxide source, it is called ex situ methanation. Ex situ methanation is easier to operate and can achieve higher methane production rates than in situ methanation [15,16].…”