Germany, Australia collaborate on solar-powered methanol production to decarbonise shipping

Australian cleantech company Vast Solar-led Solar Methanol Consortium will develop a green methanol demonstration plant powered by solar power in Port Augusta, South Australia.

PHOTO: Illustration of Vast Solar's solar-powered green methanol plant in Port Augusta, Australia. Vast Solar

The project, dubbed SM1, is a collaboration between Germany and Australia and is funded by HyGATE, a German-Australian hydrogen incubator.

SM1 will produce 7,500 mt/year of green methanol and "supply the shipping and aviation industries with zero-emission fuel," according to Vast Solar's chief executive Craig Wood.

In its statement, the company noted that the project is attracting interest from both local and international off-takers including major shipping companies.

By Konica Bhatt

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