Evaluation of the Applicability of Synthetic Fuels and Their Life Cycle Analyses

Sandra Richter (), Marina Braun-Unkhoff, Samuel Hasselwander and Sofia Haas
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Sandra Richter: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Combustion Technology, Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Marina Braun-Unkhoff: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Combustion Technology, Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Samuel Hasselwander: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Vehicle Concepts, Wankelstraße 5, 70563 Stuttgart, Germany
Sofia Haas: Forschungsstelle für Energiewirtschaft (FfE), Am Blütenanger 71, 80995 München, Germany

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: This paper summarizes the findings of a detailed assessment of synthetic, electricity-based fuels for use in aviation, shipping, and road transport. The fuels considered correspond to the most promising alternatives that were analyzed as part of the German research project BEniVer (Begleitforschung Energiewende im Verkehr—Accompanying Research for the Energy Transition in Transport) initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Focusing on usage, infrastructure, and ecological analyses, several e-fuels were evaluated and compared to fossil fuels according to the specific sector. It turns out that for all sectors evaluated, the existing sustainable synthetic fuels are already compatible with current technology and regulations. In shipping and road transport, the use of advanced, sustainable fuels will allow for a more distinct reduction in emissions once technology and regulations are adopted. However, standard-compliant synthetic gasoline and diesel are considered the most promising fuels for use in road transport if the transition to electricity is not realized as quickly as planned. For the aviation sector, the number of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is limited. Here, the current aim is the introduction of a 100% SAF as soon as possible to also tackle non-CO 2 emissions.

Keywords: synthetic fuels; e-fuels; PtL (power-to-liquid); SAF (sustainable aviation fuel); LCA (Life cycle assessment); aviation; road transport; maritime transport (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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