HyFuel Solar Refinery, a subsidiary of Vast Renewables, has been awarded $700,000 to progress the development of South Australia Solar Fuels (SA Solar Fuels)—a world-first sustainable fuels project collaboration between Vast and global energy company Mabanaft.
The grant comes via the Australia-Singapore Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) initiative for maritime and port operations.
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SA Solar Fuels, previously known as Solar Methanol 1, or SM1, is being developed to meet the rapidly growing demand for sustainable fuels by the maritime and aviation industries, which urgently need pathways to decarbonise fuel to meet net zero targets.
The SA Solar Fuels demonstration plant will be capable of producing 7,500 tonnes per annum of green methanol, enough to fuel multiple car ferries for sustainable tourism or short-sea shipping for bulk freight in Australia.
The groundbreaking technology demonstrated by SA Solar Fuels has the potential to produce hydrogen-derived sustainable fuels which can be used to replace fossil fuels in logistical operations, offering a low-carbon alternative to power ships, planes or other industrial applications.
Preliminary front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) for SA Solar Fuels has been
completed by global engineering firms Fichtner and bse Methanol. ASLET’s support will fund further project optimisation ahead of commencing front-end engineering and design (FEED).
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“We are delighted to receive this backing from ASLET, which recognises the potential of our project to play a significant role in decarbonising global fuel production,” Vast CEO Craig Wood said.
“We believe SA Solar Fuels offers a scalable solution which can produce green fuels at lower cost than renewable powered alternatives. We are looking forward to progressing towards FEED with our partners at Mabanaft, and to advancing our global pipeline of green fuels projects.”
