Comparing e-Fuels and Electrification for Decarbonization of Heavy-Duty Transports

• DOI: 10.3390/en15218075
• Publication Date: 2022-11-01T03:26:32Z
• Authors: Matteo Prussi; Lorenzo Laveneziana; Lorenzo Testa; David Chiaramonti
• Keywords: Technology; heavy-duty; T; e-fuels; renewables; 02 engineering and technology; RFNBO; 7. Clean energy; 12. Responsible consumption; Well-To-Wheels; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; heavy-duty; Well-To-Wheels; electric vehicles; e-fuels; RFNBO; renewables; hydrogen; freight; electric vehicles

The freight sector is expected to keep, or even increase, its fundamental role for the major modern economies, and therefore actions limit growing pressure on environment are urgent. use of electricity a option decarbonization transports; in heavy-duty segment, it can be implemented different ways: besides full electric-battery powertrains, used supply catenary roads, chemically stored liquid gaseous fuels (e-fuels). While current EU legislation adopts tailpipe Tank-To-Wheels approach, which results zero emissions all direct uses electricity, Well-To-Wheels (WTW) method would allow accounting potential benefits using sustainable such as e-fuels. In this article, we have performed WTW-based comparison modelling options vehicles: e-fuels, eLNG, eDiesel, Hydrogen. Results showed that provide high Greenhouse Gas (GHG) savings, also case e-fuels when low-carbon-intensity their production. most studies exclusively focus absolute GHG savings potential, considerations need new infrastructures, technological maturity some options, compare technologies. paper, an assessment non-technological barriers has been conducted, order alternative pathways sector. Among available flexibility drop-in, energy-dense represents clear substantial immediate advantage decarbonization. Additionally, novel approach adopted paper allows us quantify chemical storage able accumulate from production peaks variable renewable energies, otherwise wasted due grid limitations.