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Biomethane in the transport sector--An appraisal of the forgotten option

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  • Åhman, Max

Abstract

The last 20 years efforts to find a long-term and large-scale biofuel alternative to petrol and diesel for the transport sector have been intensified with a focus on liquid biofuels, such as ethanol, methanol and Fischer-Tropsh diesel derived from wood. The large-scale production of biomethane has so far largely been overlooked in comparative studies that focus on the long-term renewable options. The aim of this article fills this gap and to provide a broad and systematic assessment of the future potential of biomethane compared to other biofuels. In order to become a large-scale option, biomethane production from woody biomass via gasification needs to be developed and commercialized. However, biomethane exhibits a clear development path with relatively low financial and technical risks starting with local solutions utilizing wet biomass resources towards medium and eventually large-scale gasification with economics similar to liquid second generation biofuels. The disadvantage of being a gaseous fuel is not insurmountable and can furthermore be relaxed by the integration and dual-use of the existing distribution system for natural gas. This assessment concludes that more emphasize should be given to biomethane as a large-scale option given the opportunity to use woody biomass from gasification.

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  • Åhman, Max, 2010. "Biomethane in the transport sector--An appraisal of the forgotten option," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 208-217, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:38:y:2010:i:1:p:208-217
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    7. Gustavsson, L. & Nguyen, T. & Sathre, R. & Tettey, U.Y.A., 2021. "Climate effects of forestry and substitution of concrete buildings and fossil energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
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    9. Remón, J. & Arcelus-Arrillaga, P. & García, L. & Arauzo, J., 2018. "Simultaneous production of gaseous and liquid biofuels from the synergetic co-valorisation of bio-oil and crude glycerol in supercritical water," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2275-2287.
    10. Uusitalo, V. & Havukainen, J. & Soukka, R. & Väisänen, S. & Havukainen, M. & Luoranen, M., 2015. "Systematic approach for recognizing limiting factors for growth of biomethane use in transportation sector – A case study in Finland," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 479-488.
    11. Sathre, Roger & Gustavsson, Leif & Truong, Nguyen Le, 2017. "Climate effects of electricity production fuelled by coal, forest slash and municipal solid waste with and without carbon capture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 711-723.
    12. Millinger, M. & Ponitka, J. & Arendt, O. & Thrän, D., 2017. "Competitiveness of advanced and conventional biofuels: Results from least-cost modelling of biofuel competition in Germany," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 394-402.
    13. Eyko Medeiros Rios & Danielle Rodrigues Moraes & Gisele Maria Ribeiro Vieira & Bárbara Noronha Gonçalves & Ronney Arismel Mancebo Boloy, 2022. "Dual-fuel compression-ignition engines fuelled with biofuels. A bibliometric review," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 8-25, March.
    14. Gustavsson, Leif & Haus, Sylvia & Ortiz, Carina A. & Sathre, Roger & Truong, Nguyen Le, 2015. "Climate effects of bioenergy from forest residues in comparison to fossil energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 36-50.
    15. Speirs, Jamie & Balcombe, Paul & Johnson, Erin & Martin, Jeanne & Brandon, Nigel & Hawkes, Adam, 2018. "A greener gas grid: What are the options," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 291-297.
    16. Yang, Liangcheng & Ge, Xumeng & Wan, Caixia & Yu, Fei & Li, Yebo, 2014. "Progress and perspectives in converting biogas to transportation fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 1133-1152.
    17. Lechtenböhmer, Stefan & Nilsson, Lars J. & Åhman, Max & Schneider, Clemens, 2016. "Decarbonising the energy intensive basic materials industry through electrification – Implications for future EU electricity demand," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P3), pages 1623-1631.
    18. D’Adamo, Idiano & Falcone, Pasquale Marcello & Huisingh, Donald & Morone, Piergiuseppe, 2021. "A circular economy model based on biomethane: What are the opportunities for the municipality of Rome and beyond?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1660-1672.
    19. Åhman, Max & Skjærseth, Jon Birger & Eikeland, Per Ove, 2018. "Demonstrating climate mitigation technologies: An early assessment of the NER 300 programme," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 100-107.

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    Biomethane Biofuels Assessment;

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