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The competitiveness of synthetic natural gas as a propellant in the Swedish fuel market

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  • Mohseni, Farzad
  • Görling, Martin
  • Alvfors, Per

Abstract

The road transport sector today is almost exclusively dependent on fossil fuels. Consequently, it will need to face a radical change if it aims to switch from a fossil-based system to a renewable-based system. Even though there are many promising technologies under development, they must also be economically viable to be implemented. This paper studies the economic feasibility of synthesizing natural gas through methanation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen from water electrolysis. It is shown that the main influences for profitability are electricity prices, synthetic natural gas (SNG) selling prices and that the by-products from the process are sold. The base scenario generates a 16% annual return on investment assuming that SNG can be sold at the same price as petrol. A general number based on set conditions was that the SNG must be sold at a price about 2.6 times higher per kWh than when bought in form of electricity. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the running costs weigh more heavily than the yearly investment cost and off-peak production can therefore still be economically profitable with only a moderate reduction of electricity price. The calculations and prices are based on Swedish prerequisites but are applicable to other countries and regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohseni, Farzad & Görling, Martin & Alvfors, Per, 2013. "The competitiveness of synthetic natural gas as a propellant in the Swedish fuel market," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 810-818.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:52:y:2013:i:c:p:810-818
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.10.049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Estefania Vega Puga & Gkiokchan Moumin & Nicole Carina Neumann & Martin Roeb & Armin Ardone & Christian Sattler, 2022. "Holistic View on Synthetic Natural Gas Production: A Technical, Economic and Environmental Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-27, February.
    3. Brynolf, Selma & Taljegard, Maria & Grahn, Maria & Hansson, Julia, 2018. "Electrofuels for the transport sector: A review of production costs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1887-1905.
    4. Mangirdas Morkunas & Gintaras Cernius & Gintare Giriuniene, 2019. "Assessing Business Risks of Natural Gas Trading Companies: Evidence from GET Baltic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Olsson, Linda & Hjalmarsson, Linnea & Wikström, Martina & Larsson, Mårten, 2015. "Bridging the implementation gap: Combining backcasting and policy analysis to study renewable energy in urban road transport," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 72-82.

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