Vast Renewables, a company specializing in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems that generate zero-carbon, utility-scale electricity and industrial process heat, has signed a development services agreement with energy transition development company GGS Energy to pursue methanol production in the Southwest United States (U.S.).
This commercial-scale synthetic fuels project, named Bravo, is said to be Vast’s first deployment in the U.S. It will see Vast’s CSP v3.0 technology used to generate carbon-free heat and electricity to power a co-located refinery that will produce green methanol and/or electrically powered sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF).
Methanol is considered one of the most versatile hydrogen derivatives which, if produced using clean energy, has the potential to decarbonize shipping and aviation fuels. Given this, the parties expect to attract long-term offtake contracts from global strategic partners.
Project Bravo has a development target of 550 MWh of CSP generation, with further details to be released as development activities unfold. Vast has been undertaking early-stage development activities for the project, including initial design, site selection and feasibility assessments.
Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, commented: “CSP has the potential to unlock low-cost green fuel production in the U.S., and it can play a significant role in helping decarbonise shipping and aviation. We are delighted to have GGS Energy as a development partner to advance our plans in the U.S., which is a key market for Vast’s technology.”
Tommy Soriero from GGS Energy stated: “GGS Energy is excited to partner with Vast and work to develop Project Bravo. This collaboration marks a significant step toward a sustainable future, harnessing advanced technology to produce low-cost green fuels. We are eager to combine our expertise and resources to ensure the success and impact of future innovative projects starting with Project Bravo.”
To note, this project will build on Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), the CSP-powered green methanol reference plant to be located in Australia at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub, which Vast is co-developing with global energy company Mabanaft.
The SM1 will have the capacity to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol each year and will be supplied with base load renewable heat from Vast’s co-located 30 MW / 288 MWh CSP plant.
In October 2024, Vast and Mabanaft awarded contracts to engineering group Fichtner and e-fuels company bse Methanol to commence pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) work for the plant.