E-fuels‘ worldwide production potential

Abstract

Hydrogen production together with carbon capture are two critical areas towards decarbonization and transition to net-zero from the current fossil fuel-based energy system. Currently some technical challenges and relatively high costs of these technologies are limiting factors for their wide-scale use in the short term. The main challenge in the mass-adoption of these technologies is the lack of the hydrogen- and CO2-compatible midstream (transport, pipelines, storage, etc.) and downstream (engines, turbines, etc.) infrastructure. The lack of compatible infrastructure can be partially offset by producing sustainable gaseous or liquid electro-fuels (e-fuels), which are produced via the electrolysis process converting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electrical power followed by production technologies to integrate CO2, creating liquid e-fules.The nearly carbon-neutral liquid e-fuels derived from H2 and captured CO2 are attractive not only due to their compatibility with existing infrastructure and internal combustion engines in aviation, shipping, freight, etc., without requiring any modification to the engine or other equipment, but also due to the large market potential with long-term returns in view of their contribution in reducing carbon emissions from this sector. The commercial viability and possible applications of the Sabatier process, known as methanation, the Fischer-Tropsch and Methanol synthesis are analyzed together with the outcoming derivates from these different e-fuels production technological paths.The consideration of potential production site starts with a financially solid business case, so that the company/industry can continue to work profitably. Second thought must be given to the feedstock security and outlet markets, which imply compatibility with the existing global infrastructure and combustion engines and the possibility to mix the new fuel with existing fuels. This would allow immediate introduction and a continuous production capacity ramp-up.Finally, the environmental impact, land use and water management must be carefully assessed, enabling the region benefiting from a new production site without any potential environmental damage.