French renewable hydrogen producer Lhyfe has partnered with Elyse Energy to produce e-methanol from green hydrogen at the port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire, France, to decarbonise maritime transport.

E-methanol, or synthetic methanol, is made by combining 100% biogenic CO2 with green hydrogen. Biogenic CO2 is typically captured through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) or direct air capture (DAC).

The companies have signed an agreement to analyse the technical, economic and regulatory feasibility of producing e-methanol from green hydrogen at the Montoir-de-Bretagne site within the port.

“E-methanol is a clean fuel that can be used to decarbonise maritime transport,” Lhyfe states.

In November 2023, Lhyfe won a call for expression of interest launched by the Nantes Saint-Nazaire port authority to establish a green hydrogen production and distribution operation at the site.

Lhyfe will construct the green hydrogen facility with an electrolysis capacity of 210 megawatts (MW), producing 85 mt/day of green hydrogen. The facility is expected to begin operations by 2028.

Source: ENGINE by Tuhin Roy