The development of global power-to-methane potentials between 2000 and 2020: A comparative overview of international projects

Abstract

In recent times, electrification has become the most important means for decarbonization. One of the most pressing challenges to be addressed is the large-scale and long-term storage of electricity from renewable sources. By the utilization of the significant storage capacities of natural gas networks, power-to-methane technology using electrolysis offers the storage option most compatible with current electricity systems. Based on and complementing the IEA's hydrogen production database, the study compiled a database of power-to-methane projects launched globally between 2000 and 2020, also comparing these projects. The aim of the research was to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of international projects and their electrolysis technologies, types of methanation, carbon dioxide sources and utilizations of the final product. These analyses are important because it was these project factors, analyzed during the research, that best describe the synthetic methane production initiatives launched so far. The innovative importance of the research is that these aspects can be taken into account to establish the real contribution potentials of power-to-methane technology to decarbonization, especially in a changing policy and regulatory environment that seeks to accelerate its process.