The feasibility of synthetic fuels in renewable energy systems

While all other sectors had significant renewable energy penetrations, transport is still heavily dependent on oil displaying rapid growth in the last decades. There is no easy renewable solution to meet transport sector demand due to the wide variety of modes and needs in the sector. Nowadays, biofuels along with electricity are proposed as one of the main options for replacing fossil fuels in the transport sector. The main reasons for avoiding the direct usage of biomass, i.e. producing biomass derived fuels, are land use shortages, limited biomass availability, interference with food supplies, and other impacts on the environment and biosphere. Hence, it is essential to make a detailed analysis of this sector in order to match the demand and to meet the criteria of a 100% renewable energy system in 2050. The purpose of this article is to identify potential pathways for producing synthetic fuels, with a specific focus on solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC) combined with the recycling of CO2.

► We identified potential pathways for producing synthetic fuels.
► Conversion of electricity into form of synthetic fuels is inevitable.
► Using electrolysers helps balancing the grid and facilitates wind integration.
► Fuel choice is flexible because pathways finish with chemical synthesis.