Environmental Impact of e-Fuels via the Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) and Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) Route for Use in Germany

Frank Labunski (), Birte Schnurr, Julia Pössinger and Thomas Götz
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Frank Labunski: Division Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Research Unit Energy Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Birte Schnurr: Division Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Research Unit Energy Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany
Julia Pössinger: Faculty of Electrical, Information and Media Engineering, University of Wuppertal, 42119 Wuppertal, Germany
Thomas Götz: Division Energy, Transport and Climate Policy, Research Unit Energy Policy, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: This paper examines the current and prospective greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of e-fuels produced via electrolysis and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) for the years 2021, 2030, and 2050 for use in Germany. The GHG emissions are determined by a scenario approach as a combination of a literature-based top-down and bottom-up approach. Considered process steps are the provision of feedstocks, electrolysis (via solid oxide co-electrolysis; SOEC), synthesis (via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis; FTS), e-crude refining, eventual transport to, and use in Germany. The results indicate that the current GHG emissions for e-fuel production in the exemplary export countries Saudi Arabia and Chile are above those of conventional fuels. Scenarios for the production in Germany lead to current GHG emissions of 2.78–3.47 kgCO 2 -eq/L e-fuel in 2021 as the reference year and 0.064–0.082 kgCO 2 -eq/L e-fuel in 2050. With a share of 58–96%, according to the respective scenario, the electrolysis is the main determinant of the GHG emissions in the production process. The use of additional renewable energy during the production process in combination with direct air capture (DAC) are the main leverages to reduce GHG emissions.

Keywords: synfuel; e-fuel; solid oxide fuel cells; Fischer–Tropsch synthesis; environmental impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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