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There's been an EU funded research project that did some projections on the electricity needed for e-fuels. See the graphic on page 44: https://www.fch.europa.e

by hannob 4y ago

There's been an EU funded research project that did some projections on the electricity needed for e-fuels. See the graphic on page 44: https://www.fch.europa.eu/sites/default/files/FCH%20Docs/20200507_Hydrogen%20Powered%20Aviation%20report_FINAL%20web%20%28ID%208706035%29.pdf https://www.fch.europa.eu/sites/default/files/FCH%20Docs/202... For pure e-fuels they project 32 PWh. That is, to put it in perspective, more than the total world electricity production today. You'll want to use every technology available to do this in a more efficient way - batteries for very short ranges, hydrogen for mid ranges, e-fuels only for long range where nothing else works. It'll still be very challenging and likely the current growth projections of the aviation industry will be seen as unrealistic fantasies at some point in the future.

lukeschlather 4y ago
> For pure e-fuels they project 32 PWh. That is, to put it in perspective, more than the total world electricity production today. Total annual electricity production is 161 PWh. THe PDF you linked puts it in perspective by saying that if it were purely powered by renewable energy it would increase the size of the renewable energy sector by 3 to 5 times. In other words this doesn't sound hard at all from an electricity standpoint. If electrical generation were half the cost it would be economical right now.
- moby_click 4y ago
  From https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se00479c https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se0... > We find that an electricity emissions factor of less than 139 g CO2e per kW h is required for this [Direct Air Capture system paired with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis] pathway to provide a climate benefit over conventional diesel fuel. The grid averages in most regions are higher than that. I don't think multiplying current renewable generation just for jet fuel is easy.

by hannob 4y ago

lukeschlather 4y ago

> For pure e-fuels they project 32 PWh. That is, to put it in perspective, more than the total world electricity production today. Total annual electricity production is 161 PWh. THe PDF you linked puts it in perspective by saying that if it were purely powered by renewable energy it would increase the size of the renewable energy sector by 3 to 5 times. In other words this doesn't sound hard at all from an electricity standpoint. If electrical generation were half the cost it would be economical right now.

moby_click 4y ago
From https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se00479c https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se0... > We find that an electricity emissions factor of less than 139 g CO2e per kW h is required for this [Direct Air Capture system paired with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis] pathway to provide a climate benefit over conventional diesel fuel. The grid averages in most regions are higher than that. I don't think multiplying current renewable generation just for jet fuel is easy.