Enhanced system for hydrogen storage and conversion into green methanol in a geothermal environment

Abstract

Variable Renewable Energy Sources are crucial for decarbonizing industries and efficient energy storage. Hydrogen storage technologies are limited in their large-scale capabilities. PtL technology can synthesize alternative fuels like methanol, which can be used in existing energy infrastructures to produce liquid fuel. The paper presents an innovative approach for utilizing in-situ thermal energy, using a hot reservoir rock (HRR) system for methanol synthesis at high temperature and pressure in an underground large-scale natural reservoir reactor. This approach aims to integrate renewable energy technologies into a single energy generation and fuel production system, including the direct utilization of renewable sources. Solutions from the oil and gas industry can be adapted to this action, such as continuous injection, alternate injection, separate injection, or chemical flooding. Conventional geothermal reservoirs, HDR systems, and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs can be used as “underground reactors”. However, it was also noted that there are challenges, such as catalyst distribution and the complexity of reservoir pore space.