Vast and GGS Energy to Advance Green Methanol and SAF Project in the US
- 30-Oct-2024 6:30 PM
- Journalist: Francis Stokes
Vast Renewables Limited, a company focused on renewable energy through concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems that produce zero-carbon, utility-scale electricity and industrial heat, has announced a new partnership. The company has signed a development services agreement with GGS Energy LLC, a prominent energy transition development firm with extensive experience in project development. Together, they will pursue a commercial-scale synthetic fuels initiative named Project Bravo in the Southwestern United States.
Project Bravo represents Vast’s inaugural venture in the U.S. and will utilize its CSP v3.0 technology to generate carbon-free heat and electricity for a co-located refinery. This facility will produce green methanol and/or electrically powered sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF). The anticipated location for this project is in the Southwest United States, where the benefits of methanol—a versatile hydrogen derivative—can be fully realized. When produced using clean energy sources, methanol has the potential to significantly decarbonize both shipping and aviation fuels.
The demand for e-SAF is particularly critical as the aviation industry seeks to reduce emissions over the coming decades. Given the strong trends in demand for sustainable fuels, Vast and GGS Energy are optimistic about securing high-quality, long-term offtake contracts with global strategic partners.
Project Bravo will build upon Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), a CSP-powered green methanol reference plant being developed in collaboration with Mabanaft at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub in Australia. This facility will receive base load renewable heat from a co-located 30 MW / 288 MWh CSP plant and is designed to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol annually.
Vast has already initiated early-stage development activities for Project Bravo, including initial design work, site selection, and feasibility assessments, all aimed at creating a viable project for further development with GGS Energy. The project aims for a development target of 550 MWh of CSP generation, with additional details expected to be announced as development progresses.
The development services agreement outlines the collaboration framework between Vast and GGS Energy, a subsidiary of Glacier Global Partners, formed in 2020. This partnership is poised to unlock the mass production of green fuels from synthetic feedstocks in the U.S. and may catalyze a series of future projects.
Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, emphasized the significant role CSP could play in enabling low-cost green fuel production in the U.S., crucial for decarbonizing shipping and aviation. Tommy Soriero from GGS Energy expressed excitement about this partnership, highlighting the importance of combining their expertise to ensure the success of Project Bravo and its contributions toward a sustainable future.
