Power-to-Liquids (PtL)
The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany describes Power to Liquids, or PtL, as a concept based on converting renewable energy (RE) into liquid fuels and chemicals such as methanol, oxymethylene ether (OME), ammonia and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) products. These liquids provide the high energy density required for aircraft, ships, and other applications with high energy demands and the need to travel long distances. In simple words, this path to cleaner liquid hydrocarbons relies on electrical energy, water and CO2 as resources. PtL production involves three main steps: 1). Hydrogen production from renewable electricity by electrolysis of water. This is green hydrogen 2). Provision of renewable CO2 and conversion, and 3). Synthesis into liquid hydrocarbons followed by refining/conversion into refined fuels. The end products are gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and other hydrocarbon products.
Stage of Life Cycle
Products and Processes
GHG Reduction Potential
Green hydrogen or synthesis gas that has a very low CO2 footprint is essential for PtL. If this is fulfilled, the well-to-wheel CO2 emissions of PtL products can be reduced by 90 % as compared to the fossil benchmark. Greenhouse gas emissions of PtL can be made near carbon-neutral “well-to wake” when using renewable electricity and CO2 from biomass sources or the air. Non-CO2 high-altitude climate impacts are also reduced. PtL water demand is almost negligible and land requirements are much lower compared to biofuels. As a synthetic fuel, PtL offers improved combustion with less pollutions.
Solution Maturity Status
Newly established:
Stages where the technology concept is approved but has not been widely incorporated except by few companies.