Frank Obrist: Jean Putz's new book is a "blueprint for a global methanol economy"
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Frank Obrist: Jean Putz's new book is a "blueprint for a global methanol economy"
Presentation of the book „Prosperity and Economic Growth without Regrets: Climate Rescue Yes – Deindustrialization No” (ISBN 978-3-98674-104-4) at COP28
Dubai, Lustenau/Austria – 28 November 2023 – Frank Obrist, founder of the Obrist Group, which focuses on sustainable energy concepts, congratulates science journalist Jean Putz on his new book "Prosperity and Economic Growth Without Regrets: Climate Rescue Yes - Deindustrialization No" (ISBN 978-3-98674-104-4). The book was published on the occasion of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai by the UN think tank Diplomatic Council.
"I recommend this book to every visitor to COP28, especially every politician," says Frank Obrist. He explains: "In the book, independent science journalist Jean Putz describes in a way that everyone can understand how the global economy can be converted from fossil fuels to a renewable energy supply."
The key to this is green methanol as a global energy carrier. Put simply, in a two-stage process, hydrogen is first produced using solar energy and then methanol is produced from hydrogen. The frequently voiced argument against this process - the high energy input required - is circumvented by the fact that the entire production takes place in the Earth's sun belt. The solar energy required for production is available in abundance there.
All processes required for implementation are available
„We have developed and already tested all the processes required to realize this concept in our technology group," says Frank Obrist. He says: "The book is like a blueprint for a future global methanol economy, the components of which we already offer today."
The methanol production plants could be built in deserts and on fallow land. They are largely self-sufficient because the electricity is generated on site using photovoltaics. The water required to produce hydrogen for methanol production can be largely obtained from the air.
Green methanol improves the CO2 balance in favor of the climate
The highlight: during methanol production using the patented Obrist process, more carbon dioxide (CO2) is removed from the air than is released during subsequent combustion. Experts refer to this as a CO2-negative or climate-positive energy source. "CO2-neutral is not enough for us. Our systems not only protect the climate, but also contribute to improving it," explains Frank Obrist.
Another advantage, which is described in detail in the book: The infrastructures available worldwide for the transportation of crude oil can also be used for green methanol without any problem. This is because it is liquid at normal temperature - just like crude oil and in contrast to pure hydrogen, which is difficult and costly to transport. The pipelines, tankers and tank trucks available today can therefore be used for green methanol without any problems. How the production process and global distribution could work is described in detail in the book by Jean Putz, which was presented internationally at COP28.
Frank Obrist: "Every kilometer improves the climate"
In his work, the science journalist also addresses the use of green methanol as a synthetic fuel (e-fuel) for vehicles. This would allow cars with internal combustion engines to be driven in a climate-improving, not just climate-neutral, way in future. "The carbon dioxide produced during combustion is more than compensated for in the production of atmospheric fuel, or aFuel for short, by removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The CO2 balance improves with every kilometer," Frank Obrist clarifies.
In his book, Jean Putz also precisely describes the principle of a hyperhybrid vehicle, which is powered by an electric motor like an electric car, but draws its energy from a compact combustion engine rather than from heavy batteries. If this is refueled with atmospheric fuels, the car is climate-positive. The concept presented at COP28 and described in the book combines the advantages of electric and combustion engines. To this end, the hybrid - technically referred to as a serial hybrid - has a compact battery and a small generator on board to produce electricity; the battery is charged by means of recuperation during each braking process to achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Jean Putz and the United Nations agree
The Obrist Group has already developed several prototypes of these hyperhybrid vehicles. Book author Jean Putz has driven one of them and comments in the book: "The cars demonstrably only needed 1.5 liters per 100 kilometers, even on the roads of the nearby Alps. So the energy savings I predicted were correct."
The United Nations apparently agrees. The concept presented in the book is the winner of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization's "UNIDO Global Call 2023". The "Winner Certificate" states: "This is to certify that ‚HyperHybrid – The Future of Sustainable Mobility‘ is the Most Promising Solution Award Winner in Energy Efficency Category".
Obrist Group: Founded by inventor and entrepreneur Frank Obrist, the Obrist Group focuses on innovations for global, sustainable and CO2-neutral energy concepts. The spectrum ranges from the global supply of renewable energies and atmospheric fuels (aFuels) to innovative CO2-neutral powertrain concepts for the automotive industry. With over 200 patents, the Obrist Group is one of the world's most important innovators in the field of sustainable energy concepts.
Weitere Informationen: www.obrist.at
Ansprechpartner für die Presse: Prokurist Thorsten Rixmann, Global Director Marketing & Communications, Tel. +43 660 2542275, E-Mail: t.rixmann@obrist.at
Presseagentur: euromarcom public relations, Tel. +49 611 973150, E-Mail: team@euromarcom.de
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