Lifecycle assessment of Blue Fuel Methanol with GHGenius

In order to precisely determine the carbon intensity of Blue Fuel Methanol, Blue Fuel Energy engaged the services of Don O’Connor of (S&T)2 Consultants to conduct a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of Blue Fuel Methanol using the GHGenius model. In March 2010 Mr. O'Connor issued a comprehensive 40-page report of his findings. The report provided carbon intensity values for wind power-based and natural gas-based methanol, as well as methanol produced using average electricity from the BC grid. These values were incorporated into a table from a Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources’ information bulletin (RLCF-002) presenting data on expected volumes, energy density, and carbon intensity for each fuel in the BC fuels mix.



Paul Wuebben is the Clean Fuels Officer for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (LA Basin). He is also a Transportation Energy Advisor to the highly influential California Air Resources Board. In October 2010, after reading Mr. O'Connor's report, Mr. Wuebben wrote to the BC Minister of State for Climate Action, John Yap, noting that,

"The implication of this analysis is very profound, in my opinion. It suggests that renewable methanol is a pathway with extremely low carbon intensity. It is especially compelling when one considers that the (S+T)2 Consultants’ assessment suggests that the carbon intensity of renewable methanol is lower than that calculated by the California Air Resources Board for battery electric vehicles when powered by the average California grid electricity, and also lower than hydrogen when fueled from renewable sources. In my view, the competitiveness of renewable methanol derives from its inherent sustainability, scalability and potential for value chain “solvency”.

Conclusions

From the GHGenius many conclusions can be drawn, including:

Wind power-based methanol provides a 84% reduction in carbon intensity vs. gasoline, and a 77% reduction vs natural gas-based US corn ethanol

Methanol produced using average power from the BC grid provides a 65% reduction in carbon intensity vs. gasoline, and a 49% reduction vs natural gas-based US corn ethanol.