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Potential and challenges of low-carbon energy options: Comparative assessment of alternative fuels for the transport sector

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  • Fernández-Dacosta, Cora
  • Shen, Li
  • Schakel, Wouter
  • Ramirez, Andrea
  • Kramer, Gert Jan

Abstract

The deployment of low-emission alternative fuels is crucial to decarbonise the transport sector. A number of alternatives like hydrogen or dimethyl ether/methanol synthesised using CO2 as feedstock for fuel production (hereafter refer to “CO2-based fuels”) have been proposed to combat climate change. However, the decarbonisation potential of CO2-based fuels is under debate because CO2 is re-emitted to the atmosphere when the fuel is combusted; and the majority of hydrogen still relies on fossil resources, which makes its prospects of being a low-carbon fuel dependent on its manufacturing process.

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  • Fernández-Dacosta, Cora & Shen, Li & Schakel, Wouter & Ramirez, Andrea & Kramer, Gert Jan, 2019. "Potential and challenges of low-carbon energy options: Comparative assessment of alternative fuels for the transport sector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 590-606.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:236:y:2019:i:c:p:590-606
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.055
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