Power-to-X

Using clean electricity to make hydrogen, then fuels and chemicals.

Conversion and use · Fuel processing · No. 110

• Conversion and use

Making one tonne of synthetic jet fuel crude takes about 36 MWh of electricity, and only half survives into the tank.

Chart: Illustration: Power-to-X

Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Power-to-X starts with electrolysers splitting water into hydrogen, then joins it to nitrogen or captured CO2 over catalysts. Large commercial electrolysers manage 65-70% efficiency.

Three things to know

1. Ammonia is the cheapest e-fuel because it needs no carbon: about 88% of the hydrogen's energy is kept in the product.
2. If the grid emits more than about 95-140 g CO₂ per kWh, e-kerosene does more climate harm over its life than fossil jet fuel.
3. CO₂ from fermentation costs USD 20-30 a tonne, while CO₂ pulled from the air can cost many times more.

The journey

1. 1 Clean powerSolar, wind or nuclear electricity
2. 2 ElectrolysisSplits water into hydrogen at 65-70%
3. 3 CO2 or N2Captured carbon, or nitrogen from air
4. 4 SynthesisCatalysts build ammonia, methanol or hydrocarbons
5. 5 Fuel useShips, aircraft, fertiliser and chemicals

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