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2025 (English)In: Applied Energy, ISSN 0306-2619, E-ISSN 1872-9118, Vol. 393, p. 126083-, article id 126083Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Transitioning to biofuels is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in transportation, but limited biomass availability requires maximizing carbon efficiency. This study evaluates Fischer-Tropsch liquid (FTL) production from biomass, focusing on the impact of partial electrification and carbon capture and storage (CCS) on efficiency and flexibility. Five configurations—ranging from a biomass-intensive base case to a fully electrified process—are simulated and assessed through techno-economic and GHG evaluations under fluctuating energy prices. Full electrification achieves the highest carbon efficiency, increasing carbon-to-liquid fuel conversion from 37 % to 91 %, but faces challenges due to high electricity demand (up to 2.5 MWh per MWh of fuel) and reliance on low-carbon grids. Partial electrification offers a cost-effective alternative, reducing production costs by up to 40 % compared to fully electrified cases, while maintaining a carbon efficiency of around 60 %. CCS enables net-negative emissions, though its viability hinges on sufficiently strong carbon pricing incentives. Compliance with sustainability mandates, such as Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) requirements, depends on access to decarbonized electricity. Overall, partially electrified BtL pathways enhance carbon utilization, reduce emissions, and offer resilience to market fluctuations. These pathways provide a promising balance of environmental and economic performance, outperforming both traditional BtL under high biomass prices and fully electrified e-fuels in terms of cost. Their advantages make them attractive from both investment and policy perspectives—especially in markets supported by stable electricity prices, carbon incentives, and sustainability-driven regulation.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2025
Keywords
Advanced biofuels, E-fuels, Fischer-Tropsch, Biomass gasification, Techno-economic assessment
National Category
Energy Engineering
Research subject
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112704 (URN)10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126083 (DOI)001495240900002 ()2-s2.0-105005090044 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Energy Agency, P2021-00083Bio4Energy
Note
Validerad;2025;Nivå 2;2025-05-19 (u5);
Full text license: CC BY 4.0;
2025-05-192025-05-192025-06-24Bibliographically approved