If the methanol is sourced from biomass (rather than from extremely expensive CO2 capture and green hydrogen) then it has HUGE problems. Perhaps seaweed biofuels might in the future be worked up into being sustainable. I don't see how land based biomass for fuel ever can be. All land/fresh-water is needed for food production or wildlife (already dire shortages for both).
I really worry that methanol is a phoney "look busy" not-too-hard "we're on track" non-solution to a very hard problem.
Ah, yes. It does look that way, I can quite see why and of course “interim” can seem like that.
So let me describe Monday’s meeting as I saw it, Stone. Felt it, rather.
First off, I was amongst the least consequential of the invited delegates. I was invited because I have bought a few engines from MTU (owned by RR) and, when the full yard comes online in six months or so, will represent the largest such thing outside of Europe. Still, small fry compared to most of the delegates.
Over the years, I’ve had a few similar invites, these things get tacked to trade events, always they mean somebody has a new product launch and usually the invite arrives with a load of bumph about said product.
Let me insert a little context:
We’re about to launch into building something quite expensive, on spec, and a surprising amount of agonising and outright arguing goes in to deciding how expensive it should be. Part of that discussion is “how much will this thing be worth in ten years time?” Because nobody is going to spend tens of millions on something that might very well halve in value over five years and possibly be worthless in ten. Where commercial ship owners and operators might expect government support in updating their fleets etc, can you imagine such a scheme to compensate mega rich yacht owners?
We’re not constrained by normal commercial cost /benefit ideas, we can experiment, new tech is a positive selling point etc etc, so we’ve been making enquiries, those enquiries probably helped with the invite.
Anyway, there was something different about this meeting, first off, it was supposed to be “coffee and talk, a chance to network across the maritime sector”. So far so buzzword, but where’s the bumph? Where’s the rider “and a chance to view our new X before it comes market”? These things are usually standing tables, circulating canapés and drinks and the host endlessly repeating “oh, you must come and meet…” and moving people on. With a bloody great engine, or whatever in the corner and some expensive graphics, plus more of the bumph (pens, corporate shite (why the fuck would I want a polo shirt with some other company’s logo all over? Who fucking dreams that up. Nice pen, cheers) etc) in a fancy goody bag.
Nope.
There are rows of desks, a pen, notepad, bottle of water and most surprisingly a panel. Reps from each of RR’s R&D divisions. I’m struck by how young they are. The VP is a forty-something lady and she opens the session with a speech that immediately pricks up my ears, that included the phrase “I’m sure we all have children”. This was not a normal speech by any standard. The floor goes to each rep in turn and (raised eyebrows around the room here) at one point they’re arguing with each other. In a very German, polite, way, but arguing nevertheless. By the time they open to questions from the floor, the gasps and muttering is bordering on unruly. I said before it was heated, it was.
You see Stone, just because someone is senior in some massive corporation, it doesn’t mean they’re stupid (pretty much the opposite) or inhuman automatons, even in the oil and gas sector ( about the worst of the bunch, I don’t have too much to do with the Financial world, so I’ll allow my natural bias to continue there and say they’re all bastards. I’m sure you agree Comrade).
If you don’t grasp that we are all fucked if we don’t act now (it probably isn’t too late. Maybe. Uh… I mean..( happy thoughts Matthew, happy thoughts)) then you must be an idiot. These people are not idiots. The VP summed it up. The Tech isn’t all the way there yet, but we have to change, the best we can, and now. When challenged that (quite petite) woman told the hulking, very important (eye roll) Arab gentleman “you will have to”.
I’m biased I suppose, but I have a lot of faith in Engineers, Engineers with their backs to the wall, a sudden influx of cash and children at home, at risk? Those fuckers will shift the planet’s orbit if required.
Happy thoughts, Matthew, happy thoughts.
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