Flexible integrated gasification solid oxide cell (IGSOC) plant for bio-methanol and bio-power generation

This study presents a novel dual-mode flexible integrated gasification solid oxide cell (IGSOC) plant designed to optimize economic performance by switching between methanol production and power generation in response to fluctuating electricity prices. When prices are low, the solid oxide cell (SOC) operates as an electrolyzer (SOEC) to tailor syngas for methanol synthesis; when prices rise, the same stack switches to fuel cell mode (SOFC) to export electricity. The plant integrates biomass drying, a circulating fluidized bed gasifier, syngas cleaning and conditioning, methanol synthesis, and advanced heat recovery systems. Process simulations show that, in methanol mode, a 100 MWLHV biomass-fed plant produces 25.3 tph of methanol, achieving 91 % carbon efficiency and 68.8 % total energy efficiency. In power mode, it delivers 44 MWe net and 1.0 tph of methanol at 49.7 % total efficiency. Techno-economic analysis against historical Danish DK1 electricity price curves yields breakeven methanol seling prices of 554 €/t (2019), 470 €/t (2022), and 727 €/t (2023). These results demonstrate the significant potential of this market-responsive PBtX plant, offering apathway for renewable fuel and power co-production.