this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2024
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This seems to validate Terraform's approach of synthesizing hydrocarbons from PV power sources where there's more distance between the production of PV power and it's use. I hope they can figure out methenol synthesis instead of methane for this purpose.
Why not just invest in battery tech? I get that there's shortcomings atm for power density, but if we're talking about cutting edge research (what I assume you mean by "I hope the can figure out methenol synthesis"), I'd personally prefer to be investing time and money into battery tech.
Because the battery tech you're thinking about isn't the most efficient in all cases. Using hydrocarbons as a battery can be more efficient depending on circumstances.
That's a fairly extraordinary claim, do you have any sources on hydrocarbon creation being more efficient for round trip electrical storage than batteries?
Terraform is making the claim right now. By eliminating inverters and loss from long distance transmission lines there are opportunities to make solar installation that's not near existing infrastructure to be economically more viable.
Which circumstances?
Using electricity to create fuels purely for storage is a dead concept AFAIK. eFuels in the medium term will likely only be used where batteries cannot in their current form, e.g. aircraft or shipping. The energy and money cost needed to synthesise on-site with current tech is too high.
Aircraft and shipping would be two very important circumstances.
But that is not "using hydrocarbons as a battery" as your comment mentioned.