r/science • u/Wagamaga • Aug 06 '20

Chemistry Turning carbon dioxide into liquid fuel. Scientists have discovered a new electrocatalyst that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into ethanol with very high energy efficiency, high selectivity for the desired final product and low cost.

https://www.anl.gov/article/turning-carbon-dioxide-into-liquid-fuel
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u/PMeForAGoodTime Aug 06 '20

But we don't need thermodynamic efficiency. That's not what's causing global warming. We need to stop adding additional carbon, and preferably remove some we've already put in.

We just need better energy storage, and this is all that fuel creation is. If we could mass store excess solar/wind at 50% efficiency into liquid hydrocarbons fuels it would be cheaper than pumping new oil.

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u/suihcta Aug 06 '20

I think the hangup for me is that they referred to it as “creating fuel“.

You’re referring to it as “energy storage“ which makes a lot more sense. Kind of like charging a battery. Nobody expects charging a battery to be a net gain.

But you would never charge a battery just to use it in an appliance that could just as easily be plugged in.

Likewise, what energy are you using to make ethanol? Why not just use that energy to do what you needed the ethanol to do? If there’s a good reason, I think that’s important.

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u/farkinhell Aug 06 '20

You use energy that’s being created but not used - renewables at certain times of the day. The wind blows at night as well. You make fuel to store that energy until it can be used instead of wasted.

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u/suihcta Aug 06 '20

Using renewables to make nonrenewables seems a little convoluted, but I guess it is what it is. Is it really better than making batteries? Considering batteries can be reused many times?