Research on the development trend of methanol energy storage technology

Can Green methanol support the development of a low-carbon society?

In this work, a green methanol pathway to support the development of a low-carbon society is proposed. Methanol is widely acknowledged as an energy carrier due to its high energy density. By converting intermittent renewable energy in western China into liquid methanol, energy can be effectively stored in a liquid form for long-term preservation.

Can methanol be a fuel for the next generation?

In this review, we examine methanol's efficiency as a fuel for the next generation and as a potential replacement for the use of fossil fuels and energy production. This review critically assesses the literature concerning methanol's production, utilization, and techno-economic viability as a fuel for the next generation.

What drives methanol demand?

Methanol’s demand globally has already reached some 107 Mt, which is virtually a double of what existed in the past decade, and is mostly driven by methanol-to-olefin (MTO) process expansion as well as developing energy applications (Fig. 2, Sen et al. 2022).

Can methanol be used for power production?

Despite significant advancements in the thermochemical and electrochemical M2P pathways that underscore the potential of methanol for various power production pathways, comprehensive system-level comparative analyses of these processes are lacking from energy, economic, and environmental perspectives (Abdellatief et al., 2024).

Should renewable methanol production methods be at a technology readiness level?

Renewable methanol production methods ought to be at a technology readiness level (TRL) that is high enough to be deployed at scale; this will enable them to compete with traditional methanol production methods in the near future.

Can methanol be produced on a large scale from renewable sources?

According to the study, producing methanol on a large scale from renewable sources is still hampered by the immature technologies used in its production. For instance, methanol production via the process of biochemical conversion still remains at the laboratory level even though it has proven to be a promising production option.