April 3, 2025

Synhelion’s plant DAWN exceeds expectations

Plant DAWN has been operational and producing fuel since late summer 2024. Just a few months after commissioning, plant DAWN is operating close to nameplate capacity. Industrial-scale solar fuel production at DAWN has proven and de-risked our technology and demonstrated that the technology and the company are ready for commercial fuel production.

DAWN, the world’s first industrial-scale solar fuel production plant, was inaugurated early summer 2024 and has been successfully and continuously producing solar fuels since late summer 2024. Just a few months after commissioning, plant DAWN is operating close to nameplate capacity.

The plant has been running exceptionally well, surpassing expectations. In doing so, it has provided valuable operational hours and key insights that are essential for Synhelion’s further scale-up. The construction and operation of DAWN demonstrates Synhelion’s ability to deliver complete plant projects on time, on budget, and fully functional as designed. Its seamless performance highlights the reliability and efficiency of Synhelion’s solar fuel technology. Industrial-scale solar fuel production at DAWN has proven and de-risked our technology and demonstrated that the technology and the company are ready for commercial fuel production.

How DAWN works
To scale up quickly, Synhelion has developed several thermochemical processes for the production of solar fuels, and DAWN integrates two key production processes to produce solar fuels.

In a thermochemical process, a carbon source and water are converted into syngas, which is then liquefied using industrial processes and refined into renewable kerosene, diesel, and gasoline. At DAWN, the process heat that drives the thermochemical reaction comes from solar energy, which is either produced by heliostats, concentrating sunlight onto a receiver, or by renewable electricity from a PV field that is powering an electric gas heater. An integrated thermal energy storage enables continuous fuel production around the clock.

Both processes have been implemented at DAWN and successfully used for renewable synthetic fuel production.

A key step toward net-zero transportation
The continuous and reliable production of solar fuels at DAWN is a breakthrough for the global transition to net-zero transportation. By enabling the production of renewable drop-in fuels, Synhelion offers a scalable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing the transportation sector’s CO₂ emissions. Renewable synthetic fuels are crucial for defossilizing global transportation without requiring modifications to existing infrastructure, engines, or vehicles.

Paving the way for Synhelion’s future expansion
The success of DAWN lays the groundwork for Synhelion’s further growth and scaling. The insights gained from DAWN’s operation will accelerate the development of larger-scale plants, bringing solar fuels closer to widespread commercial adoption. As Synhelion continues to expand, its innovative technology will play a critical role in shaping a sustainable energy future.

The solar fuels produced at DAWN will be used in various showcase applications, demonstrating their viability and impact in real-world scenarios. These initiatives underline Synhelion’s commitment to revolutionizing the fuel industry with sustainable solutions.