What Does Prometheus Do? Carbon Neutral Synthetic Fuels Explained

    Learn about what Prometheus does, their carbon-neutral synthetic fuel technology, key customers, competitors, and more.

    What Does Prometheus Do? Carbon Neutral Synthetic Fuels Explained

    Name: Prometheus

    Headquarters: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

    Employees: 1-50

    Prometheus is an energy technology company that develops zero net carbon electrofuels by using renewable electricity to transform CO2 and water from the air into synthetic gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels. Prometheus enables these electrofuels to be used in existing vehicles and aircraft engines without modification, offering a direct replacement for fossil fuels that does not contribute additional CO2 to the atmosphere.

    The company's process leverages solar and wind power for electrolysis and carbon capture, ensuring the fuels are genuinely carbon neutral. Each gallon of Prometheus electrofuel represents a gallon of fossil oil left unextracted, directly supporting global decarbonization efforts. A key differentiation is cost: Prometheus claims its zero net carbon jet fuel is priced one cent per gallon less than conventional fossil jet fuel, which is a significant milestone for the adoption of sustainable fuels in aviation and transportation.

    American Airlines has placed an order for 10 million gallons of Prometheus fuel, with deliveries scheduled to begin next year. This highlights both the scalability and real-world applicability of their technology.

    The Technology Behind Prometheus Electrofuels

    Prometheus uses a combination of air capture and renewable-powered electrochemical processes to convert atmospheric CO2 and water into hydrocarbons. The resulting electrofuels are chemically identical to traditional fuels, allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure, engines, and logistics chains. This approach stands out because:

    • It does not require changes to current engines or fuel systems.
    • The entire production cycle can be powered by renewable energy, ensuring true zero net carbon output.
    • Price parity (or better) with fossil fuels is achieved, which is rare in the sustainable fuel sector.

    Who Uses Prometheus Fuels?

    Prometheus targets industries reliant on liquid fuels, especially those hard to decarbonize using electrification alone. Key sectors include aviation, shipping, and long-haul transport. The company specifically notes American Airlines as a major customer, illustrating adoption among large-scale commercial carriers. Their fuels are designed for drop-in compatibility, so any operator of gasoline, diesel, or jet engines can utilize Prometheus products without retrofitting.

    Prometheus Competitors and the Synthetic Fuel Landscape

    Prometheus operates in the carbon neutral synthetic fuels and electrofuels niche, which includes companies leveraging renewable electricity and carbon capture for fuel production. Notable competitors and alternatives include:

    • Zero: Offers Zero® gasoline, a fossil-free, drop-in gasoline fuel requiring no engine changes.
    • Carbon Neutral Fuels: Focuses on sustainable fuels for hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as aviation and maritime.
    • Repsol: Develops synthetic fuels by combining hydrogen with captured CO2, serving as a major incumbent energy player.

    These companies differ in scale, feedstock sources, and commercial focus, but all aim to displace fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives. Prometheus distinguishes itself through its renewable-powered process, price competitiveness, and focus on seamless integration with current engines and infrastructure.

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