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Sweden’s Liquid Wind eyes third e-methanol plant

  • : E-fuels, Emissions, Hydrogen
  • 23/01/23

Swedish e-fuels developer up Liquid Wind is planning a 100,000t/yr e-methanol facility in the Vasterbotten region of northern Sweden. It is scheduled to start production in 2026.

Liquid Wind agreed to locate the methanol facility next to a cogeneration power plant owned by local utility Umea Energi which burns biomass and biofuels to make heat and power. The deal benefits both parties as the project will capture 230,000t/yr CO2 emissions from the existing plant, which can be used as feedstock for synthesis of the methanol. The project could trim CO2 emissions in the Umea municipality by 40pc, Umea Energi said. The methanol production will also result in surplus heat which can be used for district heating.

The partners carried out a feasibility study which confirmed good conditions for e-methanol production and the next steps are in-depth investigations and permitting, they said. The developers aim to take a final investment decision by next year.

The project plans to supply methanol to the shipping industry and displacement of fossil fuels will avert 150,000t/yr CO2, Umea Energi said.

The plant at Dava in Umea is the third e-methanol project which Liquid Wind has planned in Sweden, after its 50,000t/yr FlagshipONE project at Ornkoldsvik which was acquired by Orsted and 100,000t/yr FlagshipTWO at Sundsvall. Liquid Wind aims to develop ten e-methanol facilities by 2030. It raised €15.2mn in October 2022.

Liquid Wind has not confirmed electrolysis capacity at the new plant, but it could be 140MW, as the company is planning to produce twice as much e-methanol as the Ornkoldsvik project which has 70MW.

Copyright © 2023 Argus Media group
RegionCountryLocationProject nameProduction target (t/yr)Electrolyser size in MWStatusPlanned or actual start-upOperator/developer
OceaniaAustraliaTasmania_-* 60,000Planned2023ABEL, Thyssenkrupp
EuropeBelgiumAntwerpPower-to-Methanol Antwerp_-* 8,000Planned2022Engie, Port of Antwerp
EuropeBelgiumEast FlandersNorth-C-Methanol_-* 44,000Planned2024Proman, Engie
North AmericaCanadaBritish Columbia_-* 120,000PlannedRH2C Renewable Hydrogen Canada
North AmericaCanadaAlbertaIn operation2020Air Company
North AmericaCanadaQuebecBoyen_-* 70,000Planned2026Hy2Gen
South AmericaChile_-* 140,000Planned2025Andes Mining and Energy
South AmericaChileAntofagastaAntofagasta Mining Energy Renewable _-* 60,000PlannedAir Liquide
South AmericaChile_-* 150,000Planned2025HIF
AsiaChinaJiangsuJiangsu Sailboat Green Methanol_-* 100,000Planned2023CRI, Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemicals
AsiaChina_-* 100,000PlannedSinocoal, Energy and Chemical Co
AsiaChinaLiaoning_-* 1,000In operation2020Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics
AsiaChinaHenan_-* 110,000In operation2022CRI, Shunli
EuropeDenmarkCopenhagenGreen Fuels For Denmark_-* 50,000Planned2023Orsted, Maersk, SAS Copenhagen Airports
EuropeDenmarkMidtjylland_-* 16,000Planned2023ReIntegrate
EuropeDenmarkSyddanmark_-* 32,000PlannedEuropean Energy
EuropeDenmarkNordjylland_-* 75,000Planned2025European Energy, Port of Aalborg
EuropeDenmarkNordjyllandPlannedEuropean Energy, Port of Hanstholm
AfricaEgyptSuez Canal Economic Zone_-* 100,000Planned2026Masdar, Hassan Allam
EuropeFranceIsereHynovi_-* 200,000Planned2025Hynamics, Vycat
EuropeFranceBouches-du-RhoneHynovera_-* 100,00085-120Planned2030Hy2Gen
EuropeGermanyBavariaRhyme_-* 15,000Planned2024Wacker Chemie, Linde
EuropeGermanySaxonyJangada_-* 61,000Planned2026Hy2Gen
EuropeGermanySaxony-Anhalte-CONMetPlannedTotalEnergies, Sunfire
EuropeGermanyHamburg_-* 200,000PlannedDow Chemical
EuropeGermanySchleswig-HolsteinHySCALE100Planned2026EDF Hynamics, Orsted, Halcim
EuropeGermanyLower SaxonyPlanned2026Friesoythe
EuropeIcelandReykjanesGeorge Olah_-* 4,000In operation2011Carbon Recycling International (CRI)
AsiaIndiaGujarat_-* 27,000PlannedNTPC Renewable Energy, GACL
EuropeItalyTuscany_-* 125,000PlannedAlia Servizi Ambientali
EuropeNetherlandsGroningenPlannedNouryon, Gasunie, BioMCN
EuropeNorwayTroms and FinnmarkFinnfjord E-methanol plant_-* 100,000Planned2025Finnfjord, Statkraft, CRI
EuropeNorway NordlandMo Industrial ParkPlannedSwiss Liquid Future, Elkem, Thyssenkrupp, e-Fuels2go
EuropeScotlandHighlandCromarty Clean Fuels ProjectPlannedProman, Global Energy Group
AsiaSingaporeSingapore_-* 50,000Planned2024Air Liquide, PTT Exploration & Production, YTL PowerSaya, Kenoil, Maersk, YTL PowerSaya
AfricaSouth AfricaEastern Cape_-* 120,000Planned2027Earth and Wire, Enertrag, 24 Solutions
EuropeSpainGaliciaGreen UMIA_-* 2,900Planned2025Iberdrola, Foresa
EuropeSwedenVastra GotalandProject Air_-* 200,000Planned2026Perstorp
EuropeSwedenVasternorrlandFlagshipONE_-* 50,000Planned2024Liquid Wind, Haldor, Nel, Orsted
EuropeSwedenVasternorrlandFlagshipTWO_-* 100,000Planned2024Liquid Wind, Haldor, Nel
EuropeSwedenVasterbottenDava e-methanol plant_-* 100,000Planned2026Liquid Wind, Umea Energi
North AmericaUSAIn operationAir Company

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24/12/11

Cop 29 grids, storage pledge signatories released

Cop 29 grids, storage pledge signatories released

London, 11 December (Argus) — The final list of signatories for pledges on expanding energy storage and grid capacity taken at the UN Cop 29 climate summit, was released today, almost four weeks after the commitment was first finalised, with 58 countries out of almost 200 Cop parties taking part. Signatories commit to a collective goal of increasing electricity storage capacity to 1500GW by 2030, a sixfold increase from 2022. Another pledge is to add or refurbish 25mn km of grid infrastructure by 2030, and recognise the need for an additional 65mn km by 2040. Lack of firm, clean power generators to back up intermittent renewables is a major barrier to increasing renewable penetration, while distributed resources require large investments in power grids to transport electricity to consumers. The list of 58 signatory countries includes the so-called troika of Cop host countries the UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil. The US and all other G7 member states are present, with the exception of France. Also absent among major economies are China and Russia, while Saudi Arabia spoke in support of the pledges during Cop but does not appear on the list of signatories. In comparison, almost 120 countries had signed a pledge to triple global renewable capacity double global energy efficiency by 2030 during the Cop 28 summit in Dubai last year. The grids and storage pledges were one of the centrepiece announcements made by the Azeri host, following on from the calls made in Dubai on renewable capacity and energy efficiency, but also on transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems. But divergences on mitigation — actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions — during the summit this year, meant that the completed pledge, as well as any other specific mentions of fuels and energy transition technologies, were not included in final outcome texts. By Rhys Talbot Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Norway to end new international fossil fuel financing


24/12/10
24/12/10

Norway to end new international fossil fuel financing

London, 10 December (Argus) — Norway will from January no longer provide public finance for new unabated international fossil fuel projects, in line with a commitment it made in December last year. Norway's export credit agency, Eksfin, provides most of the country's financing for overseas fossil fuel projects. Eksfin provided between 8.78bn Norwegian kroner and 10.98bn NKr ($786mn- 983mn) over July 2021-June 2023 for fossil fuel projects, civil society organisation Oil Change International found. Norway signed the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) at the UN Cop 28 climate summit in 2023. The CETP aims to shift international public finance "from the unabated fossil fuel energy sector to the clean energy transition". The CETP, which now has 41 signatories, was launched at Cop 26 in 2021, with an initial 39 signatories including most G7 nations and several development banks. Signatories commit to ending new direct public support for overseas unabated fossil fuel projects within a year of joining. Abatement, under the CETP, refers to "a high level of emissions reductions" through operational carbon capture technology or "other effective technologies". It does not count offsets or credits. Australia, which also signed the CETP at Cop 28, said last week that it would no longer finance overseas fossil fuel projects. "Norway is also working to introduce common regulations for financing fossil energy within the international main agreement for state export financing in the OECD", the Norwegian government said today. Norway's policy "helps increase momentum" for an OECD deal that could end $41bn/yr in oil and gas export financing, Oil Change said. Countries are involved in "final negotiations" on the deal today, Oil Change added. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Braya may idle Canada RD plant by year-end


24/12/09
24/12/09

Braya may idle Canada RD plant by year-end

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Brazil biomethane sales could cut diesel imports


24/12/09
24/12/09

Brazil biomethane sales could cut diesel imports

Sao Paulo, 9 December (Argus) — Expanding biomethane consumption in Brazil could squeeze inflows of foreign diesel, a slow-moving shift that could take up to a decade to be significant. Brazil's state-owned energy research firm EPE predicts domestic biomethane production can reach up to 3.3bn m³ in 2034, around 39pc of expected agricultural-linked demand for unblended diesel in that year. Brazil imports about 1mn m³/month (209,660 b/d) of diesel to bridge a domestic supply gap. Market participants predict biomethane substitution of some diesel is inevitable because diesel production is twice as costly as that of biomethane, and savings are passed to consumers, according to industry group Brazilian center for infrastructure. Imported diesel prices also depend on reference prices in the international market and exchange rate fluctuations, risks that could make it less attractive — depending on the pricing of cargoes in US dollars. And in the biomethane market, diesel is seen as a strong candidate for substitution because of the effect of the cost of imports on the final price of fossil fuel. Biomethane could displace diesel demand linked to agricultural machinery and trucks, according to EPE, particularly with farming operations making biomethane using waste from their own activities as feedstock. Production centers near farming operations could allow for the establishment of retail stations far from existing pipelines. Prices and receipts Pricing of biomethane in southeastern Sao Paulo state is pegged between natural gas and diesel, taking the energy efficiency of each fuel into account, according to an August study by industry federation Sao Paulo Fiesp. Average natural gas and diesel prices are R3/m³ and R6/m³, respectively, with R3/m³ seen by the sector as the minimum value economically viable biomethane production. In addition to potentially lowering consumer costs, using biomethane as a diesel substitute could increase revenue for producers certified to generate Cbio decarbonization credits under Brazil's national biofuel policy Renovabio. Cbio sales can represent 15pc of the value of the biomethane molecule, according to EPE. By Rebecca Gompertz and Gabrielle Moreira Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US H2 hopes at risk with 45V uncertainty: Industry


24/12/06
24/12/06

US H2 hopes at risk with 45V uncertainty: Industry

Houston, 6 December (Argus) — US hydrogen industry developers need more clarity on federal production tax credits (PTC) before moving forward with projects but are hopeful they can convince the incoming administration of the benefits they represent. A raft of hydrogen projects were announced in the US after President Joe Biden announced billions of dollars in federal funding and tax credits for hydrogen within the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. But much of that euphoria fizzled after the US Treasury last December proposed rules mimicking European standards that some in the industry argue are too stringent and would make many projects, especially those using natural gas, uneconomical. "Everyone looked at the US as a very promising market but the reality is that as time goes by uncertainty is growing," said Ana Quelhas, managing director of hydrogen at EDP, on a panel this week at the Reuters EnergyLive conference in Houston, Texas. "There's a big question mark related to the implementation of 45V and that's very bad for investors." The US still has the opportunity to be a leader in hydrogen if it can implement rules around how the 45V credit is applied correctly, said Tomeka McLeod, vice president of hydrogen at BP. If so-called blue projects — which make hydrogen from natural gas — can get the full $3/kg credit, "... it would make our projects some of the most competitive globally," McLeod said. Rules related to the use of renewable and certified natural gas in hydrogen production still need to be "hammered out," she said. BP aims to have 5-10 projects online by the end of decade but McLeod says they will be evaluated by the same internal standards of any other project. "We need to make sure that the economics of those projects work, they need to be able to compete within our portfolio," she said. BP is part of the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) that recently received $1bn in Department of Energy (DOE) funding and plans to produce hydrogen from natural gas with carbon capture to power its Whiting refinery in Indiana. Christmas gift or lump of coal Many of those gathered at the conference in Houston this week said they hoped further guidance would arrive "like a Christmas present" in the waning weeks of the year, and the Biden administration would sew up any lingering details before leaving office. Nonetheless, they still expect to be subjected to further scrutiny under the Trump administration, which has made clear its disdain for clean-energy mandates. Learning to speak to the concerns of the new administration will be crucial to success, industry leaders said, including explaining hydrogen's role in promoting national security and job creation. "We need to educate this incoming administration and collaborate and make sure that the momentum that is already here continues, and [show] that we can actually do the right thing from a national energy security perspective," said Sanjay Shrestha, president of Plug Power, a company that develops hydrogen fuel cells to replace conventional batteries. Keystate Energy chief executive Perry Babb, whose company is looking to produce clean hydrogen in Pennsylvania, said aligning with the administration's goals as well as a solid business case will be key to survival. "We will need to speak the language of the administration," Babb said. By Jasmina Kelemen Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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