Synhelion Solar Fuels

Commercialization of economically viable, carbon-neutral synthetic fuels from co2 and sunlight

01.

Identification

Solar fuels are synthetic fuels produced from solar energy. They are climate-friendly, renewable, and affordable. A cutting-edge technology that offers a truly sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Synhelion is on a mission to replace fossil fuels by economically viable synthetic fuels. The solution uses high-temperature solar heat to convert water and CO2 into synthetic fuels; so-called solar fuels. These fuels are compatible with the current global fuel infrastructure and reduce net CO2 emissions by up to 100%. The technology combines state-of-the-art solar tower systems with proprietary high-temperature thermochemical processes for the production of solar fuels.

Video
/
Images

Label Date October 23, 2020

By Synhelion SA

From Switzerland

Maturity stage Prototype testing in the real world

Looking For Visibility, Credibility, Network, New clients, Funding, Partners

02.

Implementation Stories

Synhelion Solar Fuels by Synhelion SA
Implemented by CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V. in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2020

Global cement producer CEMEX partnered with solar start-up Synhelion SA to demonstrate the world’s first emissions-free cement production. Synhelion is a solar research spin-off from ETH that uses an advanced concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology to generate temperatures at up to 1,500C for thermochemistry and industrial heat. For the first time, the technology will be applied to cement production, replacing fossil energy and eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing – which is responsible for about 8 percent of the world’s annual emissions of CO2.

Read the full story

Result

Powering the world’s existing cement production with renewable electricity would only reduce its emissions by a third or so, as most emissions come from limestone calcination in the process itself.

Synhelion Solar Fuels by Synhelion SA
Implemented by Wood in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2021

Swiss solar fuel pioneer Synhelion has engaged in a partnership with Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering across energy and the built environment to accelerate the process of bringing solar-based synthetic fuels to market. The two companies are drawing on their strengths – Wood’s industrially established chemical process technology for syngas generation and Synhelion’s innovative solar technology.

Read the full story

Result

03.

The environmental benefits

•Compatible with the existing engines and turbines
•Net CO2 emissions reduced by up to 100%
•60 to 100 times more energy per mass than lithium-ion batteries
•Produced with 100% renewable solar energy
•Potential to cover 50 times global jet fuel demand

04.

The Financial benefits

•CO2 becomes a valuable feedstock for the production of solar fuels
•Short term cost is estimated at EUR 1 to 2 per liter, long-term cost is at EUR 0.5 to 1 per liter