Arup appointed to project manage development of pioneering green methanol plant in South Australia

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 base load clean and renewable heat from Vast’s 30 MW / 240 MWh concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant.

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Hydrogen and sustainable fuels

Arup is working at the forefront of the alternative fuels movement around the world helping clients to navigate the regulatory landscape, perform market studies, and establish feasible avenues to accelerate the deployment and use of sustainable fuels. Alternative fuels including methanol, ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), biofuels and e-fuels are pivotal to the decarbonisation of sectors where emissions are hard to abate and alternative solutions are either unavailable or difficult to implement.

Dr. Amy Philbrook from Arup said, “Arup is excited to contribute to this pioneering solar methanol project, which is poised to transform the transport sector. With a strong consortium and cutting-edge technologies, SM1 is well placed to deliver Australia’s first solar fuel project. I’m thrilled to be part of a team driving such a critical and innovative project.” 

Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, 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 and Arup onboard as leading clean fuels experts to help deliver this unique project.”

Philipp Kroepels, Director of New Energy at Mabanaft, said, “With the commissioning of Fichtner and bse Methanol, the SM1 project demonstrates tangible progress in shaping the future. In the engineering group Fichtner and bse Methanol, we see two well-known and experienced partners who can make a significant contribution to the successful realisation of the innovative solar methanol plant in Port Augusta, planned jointly with Vast.”