Work

Design and Optimization of Solar Green Methanol Production System Based on NSGA-II and AHP-TOPSIS Method

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) to methanol represents a promising approach for sustainable methanol production. Despite this potential, current technological limitations constrain both economic viability and environmental benefits. This research introduces a solar-driven multigeneration system that integrates CO2RR to enable the coproduction of electricity and green methanol. A comprehensive energy integration analysis was conducted, alongside a combined techno-economic, energy-efficiency, and environmental (3E) assessment. Multiobjective optimization was conducted using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). For solution selection, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was integrated with the order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methodology. Results indicate that the integrated system achieves a 4.2% reduction in total utility consumption. The optimal levelized cost of methanol (LCOM), net specific carbon emissions (NetSCE), and energy efficiency (ηEN) are USD 0.526/kg, −1.16 kg CO2SCE/kg CH3OH, and 6.52%, respectively. LCOM decreases by 30.6% compared to the initial system, NetSCE increases by 3.44%, and ηEN improves by 5.84%. Under optimal operating conditions, CH3OH production capacity and grid power consumption reach 45.27 tons/day and 475.83 MWh/day, respectively. The system does not currently meet the commercial threshold and becomes economically viable only if the electricity price exceeds USD 0.223/kWh. This study provides a valuable reference for future research in system-level integration of CO2RR and multiobjective solution selection.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr14030508

Authors: Wenbo Hui, Guilian Liu

Institution: Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896