Vast Renewables Limited and its consortium partner Mabanaft have awarded engineering contracts to Fichtner and bse Methanol for development of its green methanol plant, SM1.
As part of the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub in South Australia, SM1 will have the capacity to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol each year.
Related article: Vast gets planning tick for Solar Methanol 1 project
Methanol is one of the most versatile hydrogen derivatives and, if produced using clean energy, it has the potential to decarbonise shipping and aviation fuels.
SM1 will be supplied with baseload clean and renewable heat from Vast’s 30MW/240MWh concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant.
International engineering group Fichtner and German e-fuels leader bse Methanol will commence pre-front-end engineering and design (FEED) work on the project, following the appointment of Dr Amy Philbrook, Arup’s Australasia clean fuels technical lead, as project manager.
Related article: Vast and Mabanaft ink joint development deal for SM1
Vast CEO Craig Wood said, “Commencing pre-FEED is an important milestone to progress SM1, a green methanol project that has the potential to make a real difference to the hard-to-abate transport sector.
“We’re looking forward to building on Fichtner and bse Methanol’s strong platform of work to date to deliver SM1, and it’s fantastic to have Dr Philbrook onboard as a leading clean fuels expert to help deliver this unique project.”
