The advantages of eMethanol as a green hydrogen carrier
Green hydrogen has gained attention as a key player for a fossil-free energy system due to its remarkable versatility, serving as a feedstock, fuel or energy carrier across industries like transportation, power generation and heavy manufacturing. Most importantly, since its use doesn’t emit CO2 , it offers a solution to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries such as steel production, shipping and long-haul aviation. However, green hydrogen faces its own significant challenges that need resolving if it is to fulfil this promise, particularly in the areas of transportation and storage.
Today, the great majority of the 95 million tons/year of hydrogen produced globally is consumed near the point of production. Effective long-term storage and efficient long-distance transport methods remain underdeveloped. This is primarily due to hydrogen's low volumetric energy density at ambient conditions, making it require either costly compression or liquefaction processes involving high pressures (350 – 700 bar) or ultra-low temperatures (−253 °C). Furthermore, its small molecular size allows hydrogen to permeate most metals and polymers, posing risks of leaks and material embrittlement.
Safe, reliable, and cost-effective transport and storage solutions are needed to unlock the full potential of green hydrogen as a widespread decarbonization agent. eMethanol offers a promising solution to this problem.
Easy to store, transport and distribute: eMethanol, derived from green hydrogen, is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure. This makes it easy to store, transport and distribute by ship, pipeline, truck, and rail – using the existing, well-established, global transportation and storage infrastructure.
Easy to blend: Methanol has been proven as a fuel in ordinary internal combustion engines and blends easily with traditional fuels. This means that, unlike hydrogen, it can relatively easily replace heavy fuel oil in sectors like shipping, requiring only moderate modifications to the current fleet of vessels and the existing fuel distribution infrastructure.
Long storage: Safety protocols for Methanol (and eMethanol) transport and storage mirror those of other flammable liquids such as gasoline, jet fuel, and ethanol. When stored correctly, methanol remains stable and its shelf life is indefinite.
Excellent hydrogen carrier: Additionally, methanol features an outstanding hydrogen to carbon ratio and a higher volumetric energy density than both compressed and liquid hydrogen, making it a truly exceptional hydrogen carrier. (Remarkably, a liter of methanol holds more elemental hydrogen than a liter of liquid hydrogen!).
In summary, as a sustainably produced chemical with favorable physical properties, eMethanol is a promising solution for overcoming the key challenges hindering the widespread adoption of green hydrogen as a decarbonization agent. Its versatile and practical attributes offer a clear path forward for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions across industries, ultimately advancing our transition towards a greener future.
Content contributor
Jonas Alin, Project Director, Liquid Wind