Review of electrofuel feasibility—cost and environmental impact

Abstract Electrofuels, fuels produced from electricity, water, and carbon or nitrogen, are of interest as substitutes for fossil in all energy chemical sectors. This paper focuses on electrofuels transportation, where some can be used existing vehicle/vessel/aircraft fleets fueling infrastructure. The aim this study is to review publications summarize costs environmental performance. A special case, denoted bio-electrofuels, involves hydrogen supplementing biomethane production (e.g. anaerobic digestion) generate additional different fuels. We use costs, identified the literature, calculate harmonized a range bio-electrofuels. Results calculations show that bio-electrofuels generally have lower than using captured carbon. Lowest found liquefied bio-electro-methane, bio-electro-methanol, bio-electro-dimethyl ether. highest cost electro-jet fuel. All analyzed potential long-term 90–160 € MWh −1 . Dominant factors impacting electrolyzer electricity latter connected capacity (CFs) storage. Electrofuel also depend regional conditions renewable generation, which sensitivity analyses corresponding CFs four European regions. electro-methanol 76–118 depending scenario region assuming an CAPEX 300–450 kW elec 45%–65%. regions with good such Ireland western Spain. choice system boundary has large impact assessments. literature not consistent regarding CO 2 sources. however, points fact sources required achieve low global warming over electrofuel life cycle.