Synthetic Fuel (E-Fuel) Production
Power-to-liquid plants pair green hydrogen with biogenic or captured CO₂ to synthesize e-methanol, e-kerosene, and e-diesel. Front-end units include electrolyzers, CO₂ capture/purification, and nitrogen separation; downstream, Fischer-Tropsch or methanol-to-jet reactors produce drop-in fuels that meet ASTM specs. Developers site plants in Patagonia, Iceland, Morocco, and Australia where wind/solar capacity factors are high, then ship fuels to aviation and maritime hubs. Thermal storage and smart power contracts keep electrolyzers running when renewables fluctuate.
Airlines, shipping lines, and chemical companies sign offtake agreements spanning a decade or more, while governments offer tax credits (US 45V/SAF), CfDs, and delegated mandates to close the cost gap with fossil fuels. Some plants integrate DAC or BECCS to deliver carbon-negative fuels, bundling removal credits with fuel sales. Others produce e-methanol for green shipping corridors and chemical feedstocks.
Technology is TRL 6–7: system integration, fuel certification, and logistics remain complex, and electrolyzer/CO₂ supply chains must scale drastically. Harmonized sustainability criteria (EU RFNBO rules, ICAO CORSIA) and infrastructure upgrades at ports and airports are critical. As carbon pricing tightens and SAF mandates ramp, synthetic fuels will become a primary pathway for decarbonizing long-haul transport.
