Forschungszentrum Jülich researchers find way to produce green methanol in water-scarce regions

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have demonstrated that green methanol can be produced in water-scarce regions by extracting necessary water and carbon dioxide directly from the air. This finding addresses a major conflict in renewable energy production, where regions with high solar and wind potential often suffer from significant water shortages.

Through the DryHy project, the research team modeled a complete process chain involving renewable electricity, electrolysis, and Direct Air Capture (DAC). While DAC technology was previously viewed as having water absorption as a disruptive side effect, the study suggests reversing this principle to use captured moisture for methanol synthesis.

After analyzing over 20,000 regions across 78 countries expected to face water stress by 2050, the study found that approximately 97 percent of these areas contain sufficient atmospheric moisture to support production. Even in the 606 driest locations, the water gap can often be bridged by operating plants during more humid hours and utilizing water storage. The study concludes that while wind and solar quality dictate costs, water scarcity is not a fundamental barrier to green methanol production.