By Peter Metzinger
On June 20, 2024, Synhelion inaugurated DAWN, the world’s first industrial-scale plant for the production of synthetic fuels using solar heat, in Jülich, Germany. This event marked a significant milestone in the journey toward sustainable transportation and showcased Synhelion’s readiness to scale their innovative technology.
The Journey to Jülich
The day began early as I traveled with SPIN co-CEO Roger Sonderegger, on this day representing Swissmem, from Zurich to Jülich. Our journey included a flight to Düsseldorf, where we joined other guests and representatives from Swiss International Airlines’ sustainability and communication teams. The drive to Jülich was a poignant reminder of the energy transition we are undergoing. We passed by vast lignite mining pits and coal power plants—remnants of an older era. In contrast, the numerous wind turbines and solar fields represented the burgeoning future of clean energy.
Arrival at DAWN
Upon arrival at the DAWN facility, we were greeted by the sight of brilliant sunlight focused by solar collectors onto two dazzling points. This concentrated solar energy heats a mixture of biogas and water, converting it into syngas, which is then processed into syncrude—a synthetic crude oil. This process does not rely on fossil fuels, making it a groundbreaking development in sustainable fuel production.
The Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration event featured speeches from notable figures, including Synhelion’s board chairman Hans Hess, co-founders Philipp Furler and Gianluca Ambrosetti, Hartmut Höppner, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Karsten Schulze, Head of Technology at ADAC, and Christof Rasche, Vice President of the North Rhine-Westphalian Parliament. A highlight was Heike Birlenbach, Chief Commercial Officer of Swiss International Air Lines, who emphasized the importance of sustainable aviation fuels in achieving CO2 targets in aviation.
Following the speeches, there was a photo session for the press while the other participants had lunch.
This was followed by a panel discussion during which there was a heavy downpour. Here Hartmut Höppner criticized the European Commission’s attempt to ban internal combustion engine cars from 2035. He stated that this approach is factually incorrect, as DAWN demonstrates that internal combustion engines can be operated CO2-neutrally. He also described the idea as counterproductive because focusing solely on electrification reduces investment in the production of solar fuels or eFuels, prolonging dependence on fossil oil longer than necessary.
Karsten Schulze criticized the EU’s intention to prohibit filtering relatively low-cost CO2 from existing industrial emissions for the production of synthetic fuels, while allowing it to be filtered from the atmosphere, where it is much more diluted and expensive. He argued that this approach is also counterproductive for achieving rapid defossilization and climate protection.
The AMAG Group – also a member of SPIN – also has a stake in Synhelion AG, will be happy to take over the first batches of solar petrol and was represented on site.
Insights and Innovations
After the discussion we had the guided tour of the facility. It was not allowed to take pictures inside the facility.
One might assume that DAWN only operates under sunny conditions, but we learned during a tour that the plant stores heat in a massive thermal energy storage system. This allows continuous fuel production even at night or during inclement weather. The plant produces syncrude, which is a mix of kerosene, diesel, gasoline, and other hydrocarbons. This product can be processed further into usable fuels, demonstrating the versatility and potential of solar fuels.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
After the tour and a press photo session, we hurried back to our shuttle for the return journey. We were joined by Urs Thomann, Sustainability Manager at Pilatus, a new shareholder in Synhelion. Pilatus’ investment signifies a strong belief in the rapid transition from words to actions in defossilizing the transport sector. As Urs aptly noted, while we cannot decarbonize aviation entirely due to the physical limits of battery technology, solar fuels provide a viable path forward.
The inauguration of DAWN was a day filled with optimism and a clear sense of progress. It underscored the potential of solar fuels to revolutionize transportation, marking a significant step towards a sustainable future.
For more information get the press kit: https://synhelion.com/press-kit-synhelion-dawn-inauguration
And don’t forget: you can meet representatives of Synhelion during the Power-to-X DAYS in Schlieren on 6 and 7 November 2024: https://power-to-x-days.ch