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The smallest scale at which we can operate profitably is probably in the 100,000 gallon/year range, although that could go down over time. We will make modular,
by rmcginnis 7y ago
The smallest scale at which we can operate profitably is probably in the 100,000 gallon/year range, although that could go down over time. We will make modular, mobile systems that don't have to be very big to be profitable. One shipping container will likely be able to do 100,000 gal/yr for example.
The electricity required will be approx. 60 kWh/gallon.
- __d 7y ago"60kWh/gallon" -- is that gallon of gasoline? Or ethanol? Or CO2? If you know the figures off-hand (to save me doing the chemistry), how much water and CO2 is required to produce the gallon of output?
- rmcginnis 7y agoGasoline. Each metric ton of CO2 corresponds to approx. 113 gallons of gasoline. The amount of water is approx. 1:1 by volume.
- fooblitzky 7y agoVery rough calculation: * 60 kWh / gallon of gasoline * 100,000 gallons / year * = 6 GWh / year * = 3.5 MW solar array (from on-line calculator) * ~ 18,000 m^2 of solar panels (500W, 1.9m * 1.3m) (roughly 3 football fields of solar panels).
- tedmcory77 7y agoNot to be flippant; but doesn't that seem like a surprisingly small installation for ~273 gallons a day?
- js2 7y ago60 kWh is about 200 mi of range in a gen 2 Chevy Volt, while a gallon of gasoline is worth about 40 miles. Just trying to put the efficiency in context using something I'm familiar with.
- 0000011111 7y agoThat shipping container model would be ideal for remote villages in Alaska! Making fuel locally would be so much more energy efficient!