Electrification-enabled production of Fischer-Tropsch liquids – A process and economic perspectiveShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Applied Energy, ISSN 0306-2619, E-ISSN 1872-9118, Vol. 393, 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 Ltd , 2025. Vol. 393, article id 126083
Keywords [en]
Carbon capture and utilization; Greenhouse gas emissions; Seebeck effect; Advanced biofuels; Biomass availability; Biomass Gasification; Carbon efficiency; E-fuel; Economic perspective; Fischer Tropsch; Fischer tropsch liquids; Greenhouse gas emissions; Techno-economic assessment; biofuel; carbon sequestration; electrification; environmental economics; greenhouse gas; market conditions; sustainability; Carbon capture and storage
National Category
Environmental Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ri:diva-78574DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126083Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105005090044OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ri-78574DiVA, id: diva2:1998013
Note
This work was supported by the Swedish Energy Agency (P2021- 00083) and Bio4Energy, a strategic research environment supported by the Swedish government’s strategic research area initiative.
2025-09-152025-09-152025-09-23