Synthetic fuels, fighting emissions pending the electric car revolution

In the ongoing search to reduce emissions in the automotive field, electric power is by no means the only solution. In fact, for some time now, alongside the development of increasingly compact, lightweight and fast-charging batteries, several car manufacturers and component multinationals have started experimenting with synthetic fuels, such as gas, diesel, petrol and kerosene, but  made in labs through a complex production process in which renewable energy sources, hydrogen and Co2 are extensively used. The result is a “cleaner” fuel than what is normally obtained from oil, with a significantly lower environmental impact both in terms of production and use. All this thanks to a circular economy system where carbon, produced through industrial processes or “captured” in the atmosphere is then "recycled".
 
Looking at the latest data by Acea (European automobile manufacturers association) a noticeable fact is that, in Europe, out of 252 million cars, 55.6% run on petrol, 41.2% on diesel and only 3.2% use alternative fuels (electricity, LPG, CNG). All numbers that show a clear prevalence of vehicles powered by fossil fuels, at least looking at new registration figures during the first months of 2018. All this paints a picture which indicates that the long awaited transition to cleaner forms of transportation is still a long way off. Meanwhile – while investments and incentives will be needed for new infrastructures and replacement of older vehicles - synthetic fuels could be a viable alternative.
 
"An example of synthetic fuels with low environmental impact are those using power-to-gas technology - explains Giuseppe Nigliaccio, an engineer at the Bologna ENEA Centre -. Through water electrolysis oxygen and hydrogen are produced using electricity from renewable sources. The hydrogen thus obtained is already a zero-impact fuel seeing the absence of Co2. Using existing infrastructures, however, hydrogen can be further transformed by catalysts or biological processes in combination with carbon dioxide to become synthetic methane or bio-methane. The carbon dioxide needed to produce such a fuel can be "recycled" from industrial processes, combustion processes and bio-methane production plants. The result is a synthetic methane - or bio-methane - that traps carbon atoms from the atmosphere". It goes without saying that the use of these fuels in a traditional combustion engine will still produce some emissions. But the impact on the environment would be significantly lower. And this because the Co2 produced would fall within a recycling process: basically what is spewed into the atmosphere returns inside the fuel.
 
The benefits of developing such a product are not limited to environmental issues alone. Positive consequences in economic terms can likewise be expected. Imagine having the possibility of creating, near a production site where localized CO2 emissions are quite high, a plant capable of capturing carbon dioxide and then use it to produce cleaner synthetic fuel. A business that would sustain the development of a new industry and support the growing demand for energy. In addition, such technology would be perfect for those who need to design an exhaust gas treatment plant. However, there is no doubt that motorists would be the greatest beneficiaries of all this. They are the target users, the ones to whom those currently experimenting with these products are looking at: trying to find ways to contain production costs - still very high - so as to introduce synthetic fuels on the market through the existing distribution network and at prices in line with traditional fuels.