Methanol production and energy storage policy

How can hybrid energy storage systems improve the sustainability of methanol?

The multiobjective design of hybrid energy storage systems within the green methanol process ensures improved sustainability.

Does storage of electricity or hydrogen reduce methanol production cost?

Time-variable electricity cost or availability thus motivates flexible operation. However, it is unclear if each unit of the process should be operated flexibly, and if storage of electricity or hydrogen reduces the methanol production cost. To answer these questions, we modeled a Power-to-Methanol plant with batteries and hydrogen storage.

Can storage technologies reduce the production cost of methanol?

Storage technologies, e.g., batteries and tanks for intermediates, in support of Power-to-Methanol plants could therefore contribute to reducing the production cost of methanol.

Does flexibility and storage affect methanol production cost?

Analyzed the role of flexibility and storage on methanol production cost. Already moderate flexibility of the methanol unit significantly reduces methanol cost. Storage reduces methanol cost with high and highly variable electricity cost profiles. Power-to-Methanol plants should be operated flexibly even with intermediate storage.

Why is methanol production limited?

In fact, no methanol production target was set in order not to limit the economic savings from scheduling. Therefore, methanol production is mainly limited by the ranges of the optimization variables, e.g., the size of the electrolysis unit, or the availability of renewable energy.

What if renewable methanol is chosen?

If renewable methanol is chosen, strong policies, regulations, and incentives will be needed to support its production. Conventional methanol production from fossil fuels using syngas is a well-established technology and economically attractive. However, it has relatively high CO2 emissions.