Syntholene secures 20-MW energy agreement for geothermal-powered eSAF commercial demonstration facility
Syntholene Energy Corp., a leader in clean fuel synthesis, has secured a dedicated geothermal energy resource sufficient to deploy the world’s first geothermal-powered synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) plant module.
The signing of a binding agreement for up to 20 megawatts (MW) of electrical energy (or thermal equivalent) marks a key step toward the company’s goal of delivering clean synthetic fuels at lower cost than fossil fuels, for the first time. Syntholene combines geothermal heat and electricity to enable breakthrough energy efficiency for high temperature steam electrolysis, with the mission of overhauling the economics of power-to-fuels technology.
With the processes already demonstrated at lab-scale, the energy delivered as a result of the binding agreement will be used to power a commercial-demonstration-scale geothermal-powered synthetic fuel production facility. The first target fuel output is synthetic kerosene, earmarked to fill the growing demand for eSAF clean aviation fuel.
This hybrid energy installation represents a global first, demonstrating the potential of geothermal resources to power scalable and sustainable synthetic hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure with a base-load supply of both heat and electricity. Notably, the agreement enables the operation to scale from demonstration to industrial output.
“This energy agreement represents the seeds of a transformative moment for synthetic fuel cost and scalability.” said Dan Sutton, CEO of Syntholene. “By integrating proven processes with a dedicated geothermal resource, we aim to deliver high-performance, low-cost, and carbon-neutral eSAF that can bankably scale to meet the global demand for clean aviation fuel.”
Binding agreement. Under the terms of the letter of intent (LOI), Syntholene will design, engineer, construct, commission and staff the facility at a partner-controlled geothermal site. Syntholene retains exclusive ownership rights to the test facility equipment, intellectual property derived from the project, and the right to scale operations commercially, contingent upon the successful completion of the demonstration.
The LOI includes a commercial expansion option, allowing Syntholene access to approximately 20 MW of geothermal electrical or equivalent heat capacity for future commercial-scale operations, subject to technical, financial, and regulatory viability.
Completion of the transactions contemplated by the LOI are subject to a number of conditions, including entry into a more fulsome definitive agreement.
Geothermal for carbon-neutral industrial heat. Geothermal energy presents several prospective advantages for powering heat-intensive industrial processes such as fuel synthesis. Appropriately selected geothermal resources provide carbon-neutral and low-cost thermal power with consistent uptime. With the right heat and pressure characteristics, these resources can meet the rigorous demands of industrial power requirements.
Most geothermal power plants operating today have been developed to generate electricity, with substantial waste heat. By combining energy inputs for endothermic industrial processes, Syntholene envisions a more efficient use of the heat energy inherent in geothermal resources. This enables a more industrial-tailored energy profile for synthetic fuel production facilities co-located to high-quality geothermal resources.
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