Shell

Shell

Evaluating promising solar thermochemical processes

Context

Soaring demand for hydrocarbon-based fuels and increased concern about climate change have accelerated research into renewable energy such as solar. In particular, solar thermochemical processes have the potential to convert photons from the sun directly into alternative transport fuels such as hydrogen and methanol.

Approach

Innovia recently partnered Shell’s team of Technology Scouts to identify and evaluate promising solar thermochemical processes. Based on an analysis of the scientific literature and interviews with leading academics, we created an economic model of a future solar plant to compare the processes.

Impact

The insights gained from our study enabled Shell to quantitatively benchmark solar fuels against other renewable sources and highlighted potential disruptions to the solar energy sector.