Proteum Energy, a technology company, has developed a groundbreaking method that can convert ethanol into hydrogen, offering a promising solution for the challenging-to-electrify sector. Over the past ten years, more than $65 million has been invested in the research and development of this ethanol-to-hydrogen conversion process, and now the investment is yielding positive results.
Following successful validation by researchers from the University of Regina, European energy companies are quickly adopting the Proteum process. By transforming natural gas liquids like ethane or ethanol, the process generates the cleanest and most renewable form of hydrogen to date.
Proteum’s entry into the hydrogen market is facilitated by the fact that turning ethanol into hydrogen qualifies for California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits. Larry Tree, the President and CEO of Proteum, explained that when ethanol is used as a feedstock with their technology, the resulting hydrogen has a negative carbon intensity score.
Proteum envisions significant investments in the hydrogen market, leveraging their engineering capabilities and hydrogen production technology by utilizing ethanol. Tree noted that global trends are driving a shift towards hydrogen, especially in heavy-duty transportation, with manufacturers recognizing its imminent importance.
The link between ethanol and hydrogen is established through the utilization of existing assets and feedstock. Proteum aims to collaborate with ethanol producers or directly purchase ethanol gallons from them. Tree emphasized that the Proteum business model relies on four key components: feedstock, a hydrogen offtaker, a carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) project, and suitable land. By partnering with ethanol producers who are actively sequestering carbon, Proteum can contribute to carbon reduction by eliminating approximately 500 tons of CO2 per day.
Currently, Proteum is in the process of constructing a hydrogen production facility in California, and they plan to expand their operations across the Midwest ethanol belt. Additionally, the company has signed an agreement with Transitus Energy to produce low-carbon hydrogen from hydrocarbons in the North Sea, with potential opportunities in the UK, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, and Norway.
Proteum is not alone in its pursuit of converting ethanol into clean hydrogen. Shell, for instance, signed a deal with two ethanol plants in Brazil last year to produce hydrogen.
In addition to fueling over-the-road transportation, Proteum’s modular units have the capacity to generate hydrogen for sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon ammonia fertilizers. The revolutionary process developed by Proteum enables them to cater to various markets, utilize diverse feedstocks, and produce highly desirable and incentivized end-products. However, their focus lies in aligning with the ethanol sector, providing an innovative approach to maximize the value of existing assets and contribute to carbon offset initiatives and the decarbonization of transportation molecules. It represents a unique opportunity to leverage existing resources and achieve more rather than a complete revolution or a shift away from existing production methods and feedstocks.
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