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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Circlenergy (Production of renewable methanol from captured emissions and renewable energy sources, for its utilisation for clean fuel production and green consumer goods)

Teaser

Summary

Methanol, needed in industry as a chemical building block (plastics, solvents, additives) and as transportation fuel, has been traditionally produced from coal or natural gas, dependent on fossil fuels (limited supply), contaminating land (mining, drilling) and emitting CO2 to the atmosphere (global warming effect). Nowadays, crop-based biofuels are also used with the same purposes but consume huge water and land resources for their production. Carbon Recycling International (CRI), founded in 2006 in Iceland, produces renewable methanol (currently 4 kt/year in the George Olah plant) from industrial CO2 emissions and Renewable Energy Sources (RES), through a novel process of clean fuel production (VulcanolÂ®). This proprietary technology is called Emissionsâ€“to-Liquids (ETL) and is certified ISCC Plus by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system. While conventional production of methanol emits up to 4 t CO2/t methanol, our ETL plant fights global warming by consuming 1.4 t CO2/t of VulcanolÂ® produced and requires approximately 1500 times less land and up to 15,000 less water than crop-based biofuel, eradicating ethical concerns about competition between biofuels and human food production.
VulcanolÂ® is an efficient energy carrier that can be used to easily store and transport off-peak renewable energy, stabilizing the power grid and supporting expansion of RES. ETL helps to fulfil stricter EU regulations regarding the use of advanced renewable fuels and RES; improves air quality in industrial areas, thus, health of their population and employees and supports employment creation (25 skilled jobs per ETL plant). During this phase 2, CRI aims to a) scale up the technology and adapt ETL plants to economically operate with RES, b) to attract investment to build and operate ETL plants and c) to close distribution agreements for the produced VulcanolÂ®

Work performed

The overall progress of Circlenergy during this reporting period was good. Work has begun for engineering and execution of a commercial plant, including assessment of potential equipment suppliers, some risk analysis and assessment of insurance requirements. Changes required to CRIâ€™s pilot plant have also been assessed and designed and the patent application process has commenced. Furthermore, potential sites and partners have been evaluated and market and regulatory analysis has taken place. Negotiations with a strong strategic partner have progressed far and an agreement is expected to be signed during next period. Lastly, the project website has been launched and commercial materials are being developed.

Final results

Through work performed in WP2, CRI has defined engineering changes to their ETL plant and have initiated the process of patent application. This work will further develop the technology to facilitate its capability for curtailment.