甲醇能源加速走向规模化应用

Core Viewpoint - The green methanol energy sector is transitioning from demonstration to large-scale application, driven by the launch of numerous domestic projects and the clarity of application scenarios in commercial vehicles and shipping [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Development - A total of 210 green methanol projects have been planned, under construction, or in production across the country, with a combined capacity exceeding 51 million tons per year [2]. - Green methanol serves dual purposes as both an energy source and a chemical raw material, contributing to reduced carbon emissions in end-use sectors and optimizing the raw material structure in traditional chemical industries [2]. - The strategic significance of green methanol in international supply chains is increasing due to policies like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which emphasizes the importance of the product's carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle [2]. Group 2: Standardization and Certification - There is a lack of unified standards for green methanol across different countries and regions, which affects the recognition of raw material sources, production processes, and carbon reduction effects, thereby limiting cross-regional circulation and international trade [2][3]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The cost curve for green methanol is expected to improve significantly in the coming years due to declining costs of wind and solar power generation and advancements in electrolysis technology [3]. - Green methanol can convert fluctuating electricity into a storable and transportable liquid energy form, enhancing its role in the new energy system [3]. Group 4: Application Scenarios - The "scale-up inflection point" for methanol energy applications is anticipated to occur first in hard-to-abate sectors such as commercial vehicles and shipping [4]. - The commercial vehicle sector is witnessing a parallel development of multiple technological routes, with methanol emerging as a viable option for long-haul logistics and areas with insufficient charging infrastructure [4]. Group 5: Innovative Solutions - The methanol-hydrogen electric model is gaining attention, utilizing methanol as an energy storage medium to achieve longer range and higher efficiency [5]. - The latest systems in this model have achieved a thermal efficiency of 50.3%, with the cost of fuel expected to be 32% to 52% lower than diesel [5]. Group 6: Shipping Sector - Green methanol is considered a highly feasible alternative fuel in the shipping industry, offering advantages in terms of conversion costs, fuel storage, and safety management compared to liquefied natural gas and hydrogen fuel [6]. Group 7: Future Outlook - The methanol energy sector is at a critical stage of moving from "feasible" to "scalable," with the need for stable positive feedback in carbon reduction, energy security, and economic viability to secure its position in the new energy transition [7].