The first commercial-scale e-methanol facility in the world started operations in Denmark

What is e-methanol (or electro-methanol)?

It is an energy source with low carbon emissions created by merging green hydrogen with seized carbon dioxide. The production of e-methanol usually consists of three main stages:

Green hydrogen production: Water powered by renewable energy Electrolysis generates the hydrogen feedstock.

CO2 capture: Carbon dioxide is collected from emissions produced by industries. (e.g. steel factories or concrete facilities) or directly from the atmosphere, decreasing total emissions from the origin.

Synthesis of methanol: Hydrogen and CO2 are merged in a pressure-operated catalytic reactor producing methanol with few byproducts.

Advantages: Usable without infrastructure modification; Reliable (can be kept at room temperature and standard pressure); adaptable (is capable of being employed like other energy sources).

Uses: Besides the shipping sector, its byproducts include gasoline. and kerosene offer solutions for transportation by road and air.

Challenges: E-methanol is still considerably pricier than methanol derived from fossil fuels because of elevated renewable energy prices and inefficiencies in production. ‘Methanol Economy’ initiative in India (by NITI Aayog )

Goal: Decreasing India's oil import expenses, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and transforming coal deposits and urban solid trash into methanol.

Methanol is a carbon-poor, hydrogen-rich liquid. Fuel carrier generated from coal with high ash content, agricultural waste, CO2 from heating energy facilities and fossil gas.

Advantages:

It will generate nearly 5 million job opportunities through methanol creation/usage and delivery services. Rs 6000 crore can be conserved each year by mixing 20% DME (Di-methyl Ether, a derivative of methanol) in liquefied petroleum gas.