Study: analysis of CO2 availability for the production of Power-to-X products in Uruguay

This study identifies, quantifies, and geo-reference the main sources of CO₂ in Uruguay, with a focus on project development related to Power-to-X projects in the country. It includes a case study on methanol production  with a focus on CO₂ capture, the sizing of the main equipment, and a technical-economic analysis at the pre-feasibility level. In addition, this work provides a model for calculating the Levelised Cost of Methanol (LCOMe).

Key findings

• In Uruguay, the levelised cost of CO₂ capture is USD 73.57 per tonne of CO₂. The cost of liquefaction and transport (100 km by truck) is USD 26.72 per tonne of CO₂.
• Total estimated CO₂ emissions in 2024 are 21.3 million tonnes, of which 11.3 million tonnes are unavoidable biogenic and non-biogenic CO₂ emissions. The remaining 10 million tonnes are avoidable non-biogenic CO₂ emissions, which are not considered in the study.
  • The cost breakdown of green methanol is as follows: The cost of green hydrogen production accounts for approximately 70% of the total cost of green methanol. The levelised cost of CO2 capture (and transport if necessary) is on average 15-20%. The investment required for the equipment for methanol synthesis (catalytic hydrogenation process of CO₂) and the purification sector accounts for 5 %.
  • Another 5 % for the cost of electricity and other OPEX of the synthesis process.
• Renewable electricity generation and the electrolysis process for hydrogen production concentrate most of the required investment costs, around 90%. The CO₂ capture process and the methanol synthesis process itself account for the remaining 10%.
• Electricity consumption: The industrial processes involved in the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives require the supply of electricity. 95% of the total electricity consumption is for the electrolysis process.

The study also includes an Excel tool that, through a model of parametric variables, calculates the Levelised Cost of Methanol (LCOMe), including the fundamental parameter of this study, which is CCU. Download it here: