Known for breaking innovation barriers in technology, energy, science and energy, China has taken another groundbreaking initiative. This time it is showcasing a new clean, efficient energy called methanol. This resource has been long overshadowed by hydrogen and now it is taking its rightful position gathering steam in China, where 100 million tons of this cutting-edge fuel are intended to be produced.
The unexpected rival to hydrogen’s throne: Methanol
If you have ever read the story of Saul and David and how David took over and became a more valuable king. That is how methanol has taken over hydrogen. For many years hydrogen has been declared the future of fuel, however, it looks like automakers are weighing their options. Methanol, sometimes known as “wood alcohol,” is a versatile substance that shares characteristics with ethanol.
It can be made from a range of feedstocks, including biomass, captured carbon, and fossil fuels. It can be used “neat” or, more frequently, blended with petrol to provide a relatively clean-burning vehicle fuel. A range of feedstocks can be used to create methanol, a fuel with a reasonably clean burning characteristic (IEF, 2023). It is a desirable alternative for both the Chinese government and industry because of its many benefits.
Methanol is not a new resource. In fact, China has always seldom utilised it as fuel and instead employed it to create compounds like formaldehyde. The Asian country has taken the initiative to elevate its production system to manufacture fuel using methanol. Methanol is far simpler to handle than hydrogen, which frequently needs pricey infrastructure for storage and transportation.
China produces the majority of its rapidly expanding methanol domestically, mostly from coal. It would be challenging to justify the use of methanol fuel as sustainable in these conditions. However, there are indications that things could be improving and the country is betting on it. Methanol has the ability to be made from a variety of feedstocks, including carbon dioxide, meaning it might eventually turn into a fuel that is genuinely carbon neutral.
The future of Methanol and why it could potentially be a game-changer
According to IEF (2023), methanol has the potential to be an essential fuel for sustainable transportation that works well with electric cars. Expanding its usage in shipping as a substitute for extremely polluting fuels is of particular interest, as it is simple to handle and already satisfies engine compatibility and operational safety criteria. However, production must move away from its current reliance on fossil-based feedstocks.
This dependency on fossil fuels accounts for 95% of current methanol production if it is to live up to its promise as a more sustainable fuel. Even though there are several potential substitute feedstocks, there may be issues if methanol demand rises. Competition for finite sustainable resources, like biomass, which is now necessary for its production, is one of them.
Energy security considerations also drive China’s embrace of methanol. China can lessen its dependency on imported petrol and oil by generating local methanol from a range of feedstocks, guaranteeing a steady and secure energy supply. This is in line with the country’s overarching plan to address environmental issues and increase energy independence.
To produce 100 million tons of this futuristic fuel China is driving the wheel of mobility innovation. This is a bold move for China because methanol will not replace hydrogen totally, but it offers a complementary solution for the automotive industry and this could change the whole narrative about global transportation. To a certain extent it is undeniable that the narrative is changing, but, more work needs to be done to ensure that these decisions do not harm people.