(in the U.S. in 1997, cents per kWh) coalnucleargasoilwindsolar 2.1 ¢2.3 ¢ 3.6 ¢ 3.9 ¢ 5.5 ¢ 22 ¢ Nuclear Energy Institute, American Wind Energy Association, American Solar Energy Society Today: Production Cost of Electricity

Photons to Chemicals-Overall Process h Building blocks: H 2 O and Photons H2OH2O H2H2 O2O2

Photons to Chemicals-Overall Process h Building blocks: H 2 O and Photons H2OH2O electricity photovoltaic electrolysis O2O2 H2H2

Photons to Chemicals-Overall Process h Building blocks: H 2 O, CO 2 and Photons H2OH2O electricity photovoltaic electrolysis O2O2 H2H2 CO 2 CH 3 OH [CH 3 OH (l) can be substituted by CH 4 (g)] Methanol synthesis reactor

Photons to Chemicals-Overall Process h Building blocks: H 2 O, CO 2 and Photons H2OH2O electricity photovoltaic electrolysis O2O2 H2H2 CO 2 CH 3 OH [CH 3 OH (l) can be substituted by CH 4 (g)] Electrochemical Methanol production Methanol synthesis reactor

Presently Possible Methanol Generation Electrochemical Cell-A Reverse Fuel Cell Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O 2H 2 O→O 2 (g)+4H + +4e - H+H+ O2O2 e-e- CO 2 +6H + +6e - →CH 3 OH+H 2 O O2O2 CO 2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Catalyst-supported electrode +-

Proposed Novel Studies-First Step Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Catalyst- supported electrode Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Enzyme- supported electrode Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Photo electrode h CH 3 OH CH 4

Proposed Novel Studies-First Step Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Catalyst- supported electrode Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Enzyme- supported electrode Proton exchange membrane CO 2 H2OH2O H+H+ O2O2 e-e- O2O2 CH 3 OH + H 2 O Anode Cathode e-e- e-e- e-e- Photo electrode h CH 3 OH CH 4

Research Needed Design synthetic enzymes that –catalyze the reaction at the right potential –increase turnover rates –have stability Demonstrate in a real device Develop substantive collaborations between chemical biologists, inorganic chemists and materials chemists