Ethanol: A Superior Hydrogen Carrier

Unlike hydrogen, which must be stored under high pressure or at extremely low temperatures, ethanol is a stable liquid fuel that can be easily stored and transported using existing tanks and trucks.

Even more important: ethanol is sustainably sourced. Most of today’s renewable ethanol in Europe is produced from sugar fermentation residue, crop residues, or other biomass byproducts that would otherwise degrade and emit CO2 – not from food crops or virgin land. This makes ethanol:

• Truly circular, using what would otherwise be waste
• Abundantly available
• Scalable without land-use conflict or deforestation

By contrast, green hydrogen demands massive investment in new renewable energy infrastructure and significant land allocation, while methane remains fossil-derived and vulnerable to leak-related emissions.

Proven, Scalable Supply in Europe and Beyond

A major advantage of ethanol is its mature, resilient global supply chain, especially in Europe, where dozens of producers are already operating at industrial scale using sustainable feedstocks:

• CRISTAL UNION (France) uses sugar beet residues to create ethanol in a circular agri-industrial model.
• VERBIO (Germany) converts agricultural waste into advanced bioethanol as part of its integrated bioenergy approach.
• VERTEX BIOENERGY operates across France and Spain with multiple plants focused on non-food biomass.
• RYAM (headquartered in Canada) has established a second-generation ethanol plant in France using forestry byproducts.

• RAÍZEN (Brazil) – A joint venture with Shell, Raízen now produces over 250 million liters per year of second-generation ethanol, demonstrating the scalability of lignocellulosic biofuel.

Together, these producers – many of them members of the ePURE industry association – account for around 85% of Europe’s renewable ethanol output. Europe’s total production (an equivalent of 36 TWh annually) is equivalent to the energy output of several nuclear power plants – all sourced from waste and residues, not new farmland.

To support our laboratory testing and ensure consistent fuel performance, we collaborate with Alcosuisse AG, a key supplier of renewable ethanol in Switzerland. Their sustainably sourced ethanol plays a vital role in validating our system under real-world conditions.

Globally, major ethanol producers include:

• Brazil, where sugarcane ethanol is a cornerstone of the national energy mix.
• United States, with extensive corn-ethanol and growing second-generation capacity.
• India, supported by a government incentive scheme, aiming at a 20% blend ethanol / gasoline, boosting production investments and the whole supply chain.
• Asia and Latin America, which are increasingly integrating bioethanol into fuel markets.

This diverse, geographically distributed supply ensures no single point of failure – making ethanol a secure and scalable option for businesses anywhere in the world.

High Efficiency. Low Emissions.

At WattAnyWhere, we’re pairing ethanol with solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology that operates at up to 60% electrical efficiency – well above conventional generators.

The only byproducts are:

• Biogenic CO₂, which is part of the natural carbon cycle
• Deionized, pure water, which can even be reused on-site

This combination allows our system to deliver carbon-negative performance – especially since our ethanol is residue-based.

With just 900 generators in operation, WattAnyWhere would consume less than 5% of the available ethanol supply in Europe, showing that our model is both scalable and sustainable.

Real Business Benefits

Here’s why WattAnyWhere’s ethanol-powered system is a smart energy investment:

• Emissions Reductions

Avoid compared to diesel generators, 93% compared to gas turbines, 88% to 96% compared to grid electricity, varying on the country – without waiting for uncertain hydrogen infrastructure.

• Cost Predictability

Ethanol is a globally traded commodity with a relatively stable price history. Businesses can lock in supply and budget reliably, unlike electricity or natural gas, which have shown extreme volatility in recent years.

• Safety and Simplicity

Unlike hydrogen (explosive), ammonia or methanol (toxic), ethanol is safe to handle and transport, with decades of proven logistics. No specialized pressure vessels or safety systems required.

• Easy Adoption

Because ethanol is a liquid, it fits into today’s fuel infrastructure. Businesses don’t need to overhaul their facilities to adopt this solution. It’s plug-and-play power – with no compromise on sustainability.

Table. Ethanol vs. Hydrogen vs. Ammonia: A Practical Comparison

At WattAnyWhere, we’re putting these advantages into practice through a decentralized fuel cell system powered by ethanol – a solution we have demonstrated in the lab and preparing for real-world deployment.

Conclusion: Ethanol Is the Right Choice

Ethanol is a practical, scalable clean energy vector for businesses looking to reduce carbon emissions without compromising on reliability or cost control. It’s produced at industrial scale using sustainable, residue-based feedstocks that don’t compete with food or land use.

Backed by established global supply chains and relatively stable pricing, ethanol avoids the volatility of grid electricity and fossil fuels. Compared to hydrogen or ammonia, it’s safer, more accessible, and far easier to deploy with existing infrastructure.

By powering WattAnyWhere’s high-efficiency fuel cell system with renewable ethanol, companies can access decentralized, on-demand clean electricity – aligned with net-zero goals, and soon to be proven also in real-world conditions.

Power your operations. Reduce emissions. Skip the complexity.
Ethanol is the energy vector for resilient businesses – and WattAnyWhere delivers it.