German researchers show how renewable methanol can be produced in water-scarce regions
In Germany, persistent heatwaves and below-average rainfall in spring and summer 2026 are causing noticeable drought, falling groundwater levels and low water levels in rivers such as the Rhine in Germany and across Europe. At the same time, producing important raw materials such as green hydrogen and methanol requires considerable quantities of water. If renewable fuels are increasingly to be produced in regions with abundant sun and wind in the future, the question therefore arises as to where this water can come from.
A study by Forschungszentrum Jülich now provides an answer: The researchers show how renewable methanol can be produced even in water-scarce regions. The carbon dioxide and process water required can be extracted together from the ambient air.
Category: Research
