The potential of Electrofuels to help minimize carbon Emissions

Global warming is a universal challenge faced by every individual in current times. From prolonged scorching heat and extreme temperatures to increased flooding, climate change affects our planet slowly but adversely. It is the culmination of years of unfavorable living standards in our daily lives.

 Yet, you may contemplate a future without such challenges, thinking about the measures we should all collectively start taking to alter these effects and reverse the circumstances. 

It is no secret that global warming is greatly attributed to increased carbon emissions, which in turn is a consequence of fuel burning. But the real question is: Do we have any other option?

Well, YES, Electrofuels are the answer.

What are Electrofuels?

A latent replacement fuel is generated by amalgamating hydrogen and carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. 

The source of hydrogen is renewable electricity which primarily includes nuclear, solar energy, and wind energies. Hydrogen can also be extracted by the process of electrolysis of water that is readily available. 

After combining hydrogen with carbon dioxide, a resulting new hydrocarbon (in liquid form) is formed. This product essentially has similar properties to kerosene fuel which we use today.

While we are satisfied with the input source of hydrogen, our chief concern is Carbon dioxide. 16.75 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020, and China alone contributed 60% of them. 

If the numbers keep escalating yearly, how will we solve this issue?

Source of carbon dioxide for electro fuels 

Ammonia production, coal power plant, and natural gas power plants are notable sources of CO2. However, the most remarkable source is Direct Air Capture (DAC) which gives electro fuels a potential opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. From an environmental point of view, burning electro fuels wouldn’t increase carbon emissions since its source includes DAC. So instead, they use carbon dioxide gas in their production.

Incredible, to say the least.

Why do we need Electrofuels?

Carbon dioxide, an odourless, colourless gas, can cause significant respiratory problems in oxygen-depleted air. It is also responsible for the harmful effects of global warming. This critical current issue demands immediate and thorough attention to solve its detrimental effects and to make tomorrow safer for us.

Combustion of fossil fuels, like petrol and gas, leads to increased carbon dioxide emissions which is a severe concern to us. Industries need a power supply; homes and cars generate power based on these non-renewable resources. Besides industrialization, deforestation emits CO2 for every tree that has been cut.

The concentrations of Greenhouse gases are estimated to increase pronouncedly in the next century, only if there are zero attempts to make targeted policies for solving climate change problems. 

For example, in the total worldwide emissions, the Asia-Pacific region’s share is predicted to continue increasing substantially in the coming decades. By 2050, it will result in approximately 60 % of total emissions.

More green solutions are crucial given the threat of continuing similar lifestyles in the future. Along with human contributions, the sun, Earth’s orbit, and cosmic rays induce global warming to reach unprecedented heights. Making it particularly onerous for policymakers to control, let alone reduce its adverse effects.

Thus, Electrofuels give a reliable solution to this complicated issue.

Transportation- a leading cause of carbon emissions

Transportation is responsible mainly for global CO2 emissions. In 2020, the United States became the most significant contributor to global transportation emissions, with 1.56 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO2) emission into the atmosphere.

The car transportation emission problem can still be resolved by Electric batteries on a smaller scale by making conscious decisions, but aviation or even shipping sectors require additional consideration. 

An electric aircraft that is primarily powered by batteries is a challenge to fly because batteries tend to be very heavy and may disturb the equilibrium of the plane. 

Electrofuels’ favourable properties overweigh the advantages of other green solutions. Being liquid fuels allows for burning fuel during flying. Thus, it is a lighter-weight option for carrying.

To decarbonize public sectors, including transportation and home fuels, we must consider electrofuels a promising option. As a liquid fuel, they can be used for heating homes and powering cars, given the above strategic perspective of their production.

Are electro fuels net-zero carbon replacement fuels?

Understanding the production method of electro fuels and their benefits, it is appropriate to label electro fuels as net zero-carbon fuels in the long run. They predominantly utilize CO2 emitted by heavy industries and the transportation sector. Therefore, Direct Air Capture makes it a promising feature for eliminating the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide in the air.

The introduction of Electrofuels is a ray of hope in times of complicated, changing climate conditions. With the valuable potential to reduce carbon emission, as a result of capturing carbon dioxide from the air and using it for their production, they indeed allow us to envision and live the future of a less-polluted environment and a safer, greener world.