Researchers in Germany have combined all steps of producing synthetic fuel with renewable electricity into one compact facility, with the aim to increase efficiency to the maximum possible, writes the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in a press release.

The pilot system initiated by the companies Climeworks, Ineratec, Sunfire and KIT can produce about 10 litres of fuel from CO₂, water and renewable electricity. It uses direct air capture to filter CO₂ from the air, produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide through the co-electrolysis technology, then produces hydrocarbon molecules and optimises the fuels in the final step.

“The combination of technologies promises optimum utilisation of the carbon dioxide used and the greatest possible energy efficiency, as the material and energy flows are recycled internally,” writes KIT. The joint project aims to develop a 200-litre system next, and then a facility to demonstrate that production at industrial scale is possible, according to Clean Energy Wire.