Electrofuels for the transport sector: A review of production costs

• Electrofuels (also called power-to-gas/liquids/fuels or synthetic fuels) are potential future carbon-based fuelsproduced from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water using electricity as the primary source of energy. This articleassesses the production cost of electrofuels through: (i) a literature review, focusing on which steps that have thelargest impact as well as the greatest uncertainty; (ii) a more comprehensive review, including the costs andefficiencies for the separate production steps, and (iii) calculations to compare the production costs of thedifferent fuel options in a harmonized way, including a sensitivity analysis of the parameters with the greatestimpact on the total electrofuel production cost. The assessment covers: methane, methanol, dimethyl ether,diesel, and gasoline. The literature review showed large differences among the studies and a broad range ofproduction cost estimates (10–3500 €2015/MWhfuel), which is first and foremost as a result of how authors havehandled technology matureness, installation costs, and external factors. Our calculations result in productionscosts in the range of 200–280 €2015/MWhfuel in 2015 and 160–210 €2015/MWhfuel in 2030 using base costassumptions from the literature review. Compared to biofuels, these estimates are in the upper range or above.Our results also show that the choice of energy carrier is not as critical for the electrofuels production cost astechnological choices and external factors. Instead the two most important factors affecting the production costof all electrofuels are the capital cost of the electrolyser and the electricity price, i.e., the hydrogen productioncost. The capacity factor of the unit and the life span of the electrolyser are also important parameters affectingthat production cost. In order to determine if electrofuels are a cost-effective future transport fuel relative toalternatives other than biofuels, the costs for distribution, propulsion, and storage systems need to beconsidered.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Bioenergi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Bioenergy (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Energisystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Energy Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Electrofuels Power-to-gas Synthetic fuels Electrolysers Fuel synthesis Cost assessment

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