{"id":164013,"date":"2025-06-06T07:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T05:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=164013"},"modified":"2025-06-03T12:12:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:12:54","slug":"efuel-skytree-stratus-selected-by-forschungszentrum-julich-for-innovative-power-to-x-research-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/efuel-skytree-stratus-selected-by-forschungszentrum-julich-for-innovative-power-to-x-research-project\/","title":{"rendered":"eFuel: Skytree Stratus selected by Forschungszentrum J\u00fclich for innovative Power-to-X research project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

Skytree\u2019s Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology has been selected by Germany\u2019s Forschungszentrum J\u00fclich for a pioneering Power-to-X research project. The goal: to create a scalable, real-world model for converting solar energy into carbon building blocks usable as eFuel or base chemical  eFuels are renewable, carbon-neutral liquid fuels that can be produced in desert climates, powered by solar energy, and transported to energy-demanding regions like Europe. This initiative aims to demonstrate how companies could transform excess renewable energy into safely transportable fuels using Direct Air Capture in the future.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200dSkytree, a pioneer in decentralized Direct Air Capture (DAC), has been selected as a core  technology provider to Forschungszentrum J\u00fclich<\/a> for a groundbreaking Power-to-X pilot; a process that transforms renewable electricity into storable forms of energy like fuels or chemicals. In this pilot, Skytree\u2019s Stratus <\/a>will capture CO\u2082 directly from the atmosphere, a key component in the production of green methanol. This carbon-neutral fuel can be safely stored, transported, and used without introducing new emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project begins with system testing at J\u00fclich\u2019s facilities in the first quarter of 2026 in Germany and will later transition to deployment in desert environments, where abundant sunlight and arid conditions offer ideal real-world validation. The outcome could redefine how renewable energy is harvested, stored, and shipped globally – essentially creating a clean-energy bridge between continents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"The
The Skytree and J\u00fclich team in front of the Skytree Stratus in construction in Skytree\u2019s workshop in Almere. From left to right: Hermann Tempel, Victor Selmert, Ot Messemaker, Jeroen Moonen, Carl Jung \u00a9 Skytree<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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\u201cAt Skytree, we\u2019re proud to contribute to this project, which shows how modular Direct Air Capture technology powered by renewable energy can support the development of clean, scalable eFuels. It\u2019s a practical example of how localized CO\u2082 capture can help meet energy needs in a more sustainable way globally. We appreciate the trust J\u00fclich has placed in us and value their leadership in sustainable innovation.\u201d – Ot Messemaker, Skytree<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDirect air capture is a crucial part of our carbon capture and utilization concept, delivering the CO\u2082 and water needed to drive the Power-to-X process. We\u2019re excited to push the boundaries of CCU with this project and are looking forward to Skytree supplying their state-of-the-art DAC technology. Their device is an impressive example of cutting-edge engineering in the field of atmospheric CO\u2082 capture and we’re eager to test the unit at our facility to take a step toward turning sustainable fuels into a real-world solution.\u201d \u2013 Victor Selmert, Forschungszentrum J\u00fclich<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u200dOffering a scalable DAC model for tomorrow\u2019s energy industry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although this project will start as a research initiative, it has greater implications. The results of the research are expected to be made publicly available to demonstrate how businesses might one day integrate DAC into the solar-to-fuel value chain – turning excess renewable energy into transportable fuels like methanol. J\u00fclich\u2019s selection of the Stratus system reflects growing interest in decentralized DAC as a key enabler of future eFuel infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 1: Research and development in Germany<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the initial phase, Skytree\u2019s Stratus System – featuring its Arid Climate Core DAC technology – will be tested at J\u00fclich\u2019s facilities in Germany. It will be integrated with compact CO\u2082 liquefaction technology, to create a streamlined system that captures CO\u2082 from the air and converts it into liquid methanol on-site. In this demonstrator system, CO2<\/sub>and water are converted into CO and H2<\/sub> (so called syn gas) by using a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC). The syn gas is subsequently converted to methanol in a methanol reactor. One of the advantages of this approach is that the DAC unit is able to supply both the CO2<\/sub> and the water needed for the synthesis of methanol, which makes it the ideal provider of resources for methanol production in dry areas, where no other water source is available. Only cheap renewable energy is needed in addition. This first phase focuses on validating system performance and refining the DAC-to-fuel conversion process. Learn more about the project at www.dryhy.de<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 2: Real-world testing in desert conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Following validation, the system will be deployed and operated in a desert location on the African continent to utilize the high solar power potential and assess performance under extreme heat, dryness, and remote conditions. This stage will test the system\u2019s durability and reliability in the kind of environment where large-scale solar powered eFuel production could be most impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200dA vision for clean energy transport<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The process is straightforward: Skytree\u2019s DAC unit harnesses solar energy from regions where it is abundant, to extract CO\u2082 directly from the ambient air. This captured CO\u2082 is then combined with hydrogen to produce methanol, a stable, energy-rich liquid that can be safely stored and transported. Because the CO\u2082 originates from the atmosphere, burning the resulting methanol does not introduce new emissions, making it a truly carbon-neutral fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200dAbout the technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n