What is green methanol?
As industries and governments worldwide seek cleaner energy solutions, green methanol is emerging as a promising alternative fuel and feedstock. With its potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, this renewable energy source is gaining attention in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. But what exactly is green methanol, and how does it compare to other types of methanol?
What is Green Methanol?
Green methanol, also known as renewable methanol, is produced using sustainable feedstocks such as biomass or biogas, captured carbon dioxide (CO2), and renewable hydrogen. Unlike conventional methanol, which is derived from fossil fuels like natural gas and coal, green methanol offers a lower-carbon alternative.
The production of green methanol typically involves three main methods: gasification of biomass, reforming of pre-processed biogas, and synthesis of methanol from CO2 and electrolytic hydrogen.
Birra’s innovative and modular process has many advantages over these existing methodologies by converting waste biogas to methanol at ambient atmospheric conditions, reducing the cost and energy intensity required to produce green methanol.
The Different Colours of Methanol
Methanol is classified into different categories based on its production process and environmental impact. These include:
Grey Methanol: The most common form, produced from natural gas through steam reforming. This process releases significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. It requires very high temperatures and pressures, making it a highly energy intensive process.
Brown Methanol: Derived from coal, making it the most carbon-intensive form of methanol.
Blue Methanol: Produced using natural gas but with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to reduce emissions.
Green Methanol: Generated from renewable sources, making it the most environmentally friendly option. This category includes several subtypes:
Bio-Methanol: Produced from organic biomass, such as agricultural waste, forestry residues, and municipal waste, offering a sustainable pathway with a closed carbon loop.
E-Methanol: Created from captured CO2 and renewable hydrogen through electrochemical processes, helping to utilise excess renewable energy.
Bio-E-Methanol: A hybrid of bio-methanol and e-methanol, combining biological and electrochemical methods to further enhance sustainability and efficiency.
These different colours are illustrated in Lloyds Register’s methanol report:
Unlike these Green Methanol subtypes, Birra’s process utilises a proprietary catalyst to skip the need for gasification/reforming, syngas production or CO2 capture. Birra’s one-step process produces methanol directly from biogas, without the need for energy intensive processes or CO2.
Why Does Green Methanol Matter?
The demand for sustainable fuels is growing as industries face increasing pressure to cut emissions. Green methanol presents several advantages:
Decarbonisation of heavy transport: It can be used as a fuel in shipping or to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), providing an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
Industrial applications: As a key chemical feedstock, green methanol can be used in plastics, paints, and adhesives, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.
Energy storage and power generation: It can act as an energy carrier, storing excess renewable electricity in chemical form for later use.
The Future of Green Methanol
As the world transitions towards net-zero emissions, green methanol is poised to play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner energy future. Major companies and policymakers are investing in green methanol infrastructure, with global production expected to increase in the coming years. However, challenges remain, including high production costs and the need for further technological advancements.
Birra Technologies offers the solution: cost-competitive green methanol.