Publications

Consolidated Safety Standards for Methanol 

1. Consolidated Safety Standards for Methanol
2. Power-to-X – Schlüsseltechnologien für Versorgungssicherheit, Klimaschutz und Energiewende
3. Power-to-X Demands Catalogue

The Consolidated Safety Standards for Methanol define the state of the art in safety technology for the production, storage, and handling of methanol — whether used as fuel, feedstock, or energy carrier. Developed by SPIN together with FOEN and Powerloop, they harmonize best practices across Switzerland and form the basis for raising the threshold in the Major Accidents Ordinance from 2 to 20 tonnes. Covering topics such as training, protective equipment, fire and explosion prevention, and environmental management, these standards ensure safe, responsible, and future-oriented use of renewable methanol in Power-to-X applications.

Power-to-X – Schlüsseltechnologien für Versorgungssicherheit, Klimaschutz und Energiewende

This document – so far only in German – provides an overview of Power-to-X (PtX) terminologies. It defines PtX as the conversion of energy, typically electricity, into chemical energy carriers (referred to as “X”), such as hydrogen, methane, methanol, ammonia, synthetic fuels, synthetic oil, or plastics. The document emphasizes the role of PtX in energy storage, transportation over long distances, and the production of sustainable fuels.

Key topics covered include:

• Definitions and Concepts: PtX is described as a reverse combustion process, converting hard-to-store energy into easily storable molecules. It outlines the criteria for CO2 neutrality and the need to ensure renewable energy sources and sustainable CO2 sourcing.
• Terminology Challenges: The document highlights the confusion caused by numerous, overlapping terms used for PtX products, urging for clear and consistent terminology. Examples include the mislabeling of synthetic methane as biogas or the multiple names for synthetic fuels like eFuel, synfuel, and RFNBOs.
• Applications and Benefits: PtX supports energy storage, defossilization of sectors difficult to electrify, and flexibility in the energy system. It can reduce CO2 emissions, enhance energy security, and utilize captured CO2 from industrial processes.
• Distinction Between Synthetic and Biogenic Fuels: The document discusses the differences between synthetic fuels produced using PtX and biogenic fuels derived from biomass. It proposes clearer definitions to reduce confusion.
• Hydrogen Production Methods: Various methods for hydrogen production are outlined, including steam reforming, biomass gasification, electrolysis, and thermochemical
• Terminology Glossary: A comprehensive glossary of PtX-related terms is provided, covering concepts like electrofuels, synthetic methane, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

The brochure serves as an informative resource to promote better understanding and adoption of PtX technologies, addressing both technical and policy-related challenges.

Power-to-X Demands Catalogue

The „Power-to-X Forderungskatalog” (Power-to-X Demands Catalogue) outlines the strategic framework and necessary actions to advance Power-to-X technologies in Switzerland. Power-to-X refers to the conversion of surplus renewable energy into chemical compounds such as hydrogen, methane, methanol, ammonia, synthetic fuels, synthetic oil, plastics, or other energy forms like heat. SPIN focuses on producing chemical energy carriers („X”) from green hydrogen, utilizing all renewable energy sources, including electricity, heat, biomass, and sunlight.

Key Objectives of Power-to-X:

1. Production of Chemical Energy Carriers: Developing energy carriers for sectors that are challenging to defossilize using electricity alone.

2. Efficient Use and Storage of Renewable Energy: Enhancing the utilization and storage capabilities of renewable energies to increase the flexibility of the energy system.

3. Contribution to Defossilization and Climate Goals: Providing complementary solutions to defossilize the energy system and achieve climate objectives.

Demands to Politics & Authorities:

1. Reflect Power-to-X in Climate Policy: Recognize the significance and potential of Power-to-X in Swiss climate strategies and expedite the expansion of renewable energies.

2. Regulate Access to Gas Distribution Networks: Ensure the new Gas Supply Act facilitates the injection of all synthetically produced gases from Power-to-X into the distribution network, considering renewable gas separately in terms of promotion and charges.

3. Establish Strategic Infrastructures: Create infrastructures and leverage geopolitical potentials to support Power-to-X development.

4. Provide Legal and Investment Security: Quickly establish long-term, stable frameworks for the construction and operation of Power-to-X facilities.

5. Implement Demand and Supply Incentives: Adopt appropriate measures to promote both the demand and supply of energy carriers from renewable sources and the development of Power-to-X technologies.

6. Enable Book & Claim Systems: Ensure the separate tradability of certificates of origin and Power-to-X energy carriers to simplify and accelerate the international market ramp-up.

7. Offer Temporary Financial Incentives: Introduce measures such as tax exemptions for synthetic energy carriers from renewable sources, waiving grid fees for Power-to-X plants until at least 2050, and providing sliding market premiums or quotas for Power-to-X products.

8. Simplify Regulations and Approval Processes: Streamline and harmonize regulations, funding, and approval procedures to accelerate implementation.

9. Align Regulations with Climate Goals: Ensure all regulations concerning hydrogen, COâ‚‚ sources, the use of renewable energies and raw materials for Power-to-X, and life cycle assessments focus on reducing greenhouse gas concentrations and accelerating Power-to-X production scaling.

10. Increase Research and Innovation Funding: Allocate more resources to technology-neutral Power-to-X research and innovation at universities and technical colleges, promoting collaboration and open information exchange.

Calls to Action:

• Science: Encourage active coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration among departments and research groups at universities and related organizations, as well as with stakeholders from industry, politics, administration, and civil society.
• Industry and Associations: Urge the business sector to recognize Power-to-X as a promising growth market and support it with appropriate investments, including cross-sector partnerships to provide and strategically support promising technologies until they achieve long-term economic success.
• Civil Society: Appeal to civil society representatives to give various technological solutions a fair chance and provide constructive feedback on how these approaches can be improved from their perspective.

By implementing these measures, Switzerland can effectively utilize Power-to-X technologies, adding value and strengthening its leading position in the research and scaling of sustainable energy solutions.