Methanol is a potential alternative to fossil fuels: Expert

Visakhapatnam: Methanol is a potential renewable alternative to fossil fuels to fight against climate change particularly to create methane economy, said world reputed chemical scientist and director of Olah Nobel Laureate Chair at the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California Prof GK Suryaprakash. He delivered a distinguished lecture on “a carbon solution to the carbon problem: the methanol economy“ at GITAM School of Science of GITAM Deemed to be University.

While addressing the gathering, Prof Suryaprakash briefed that the goal of a methanol-based economy would be to develop renewable sources of energy, led by methanol that could mitigate the problem of climate change caused by carbon emissions. He said that the world is currently consuming millions of barrels of oil a day. “There is an imbalance in the atmosphere due to excessive Co2 emission because of burning of fossil fuels. Our energy needs will come from any available alternate source in the foreseeable future and methanol is one such viable alternative. This also offers a convenient solution for efficient energy storage on a large scale. Renewable methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide capture and conversion using water and renewable energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, atomic, etc., is a simple solution in the long run to a complex climate changing greenhouse gas problem,” said Prof Suryaprakash.
GITAM Deemed to be University vice-chancellor Prof Dayananda Siddavattam, School of Science dean Prof KS Krishna, and faculty development director Prof GVR Sharma participated in the event.