Renewable Energy Targets in the EU - the Case of Fuels for Transport

Transport is a crucial economic sector both in terms of people and goods movement and of employment. Negative environmental impacts, not limited to, but certainly stigmatised by, emissions and almost full dependence on finite fossil fuel sources bring it under the lens of the EU regulator in the definition and adoption of the objectives and the instruments to move towards the "low-carbon society". A scenario-based study is presented, jointly developed by JRC, EUCAR* and CONCAWE**, targeting theoretical scenarios towards achieving the mandatory 10% renewable energy target in transport by 2020. Focus of the analysis is road transport although other transport modes are considered. Expected road vehicle (passenger and goods) fleet development in 29 European countries constitutes the basis on which penetration and distribution of alternative motor fuels ¿ and availability thereof - are analysed, including energy efficiency pace of development, CO2 emissions, identification of the most sensitive parameters as well as relevant regulatory measures as either hindrances or spurs towards alternative fuels in transport target achievement. Starting from reasonable assumptions results are robust and provide both information and material for further investigation in several research areas at the crossroads of energy and transport.JRC.F.8-Sustainable Transpor

EU Renewable Energy Targets in 2020 - Analysis of Scenarios for Transport - JEC Biofuels Programme

In the three-year JEC Biofuels Programme, the research collaboration between the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, EUCAR and CONCAWE has investigated the potential role of biofuels and other renewable and alternative energy sources in achieving the mandatory 10% renewable energy target in the transport sector by 2020 with an associated calculation of the impact of renewable fuels on the Fuel Quality directive target. The focus of the analysis was on road transport although all other transport modes have been considered. A dedicated analytical tool, the so-called Fleet and Fuels (F&F) model, has been developed and used. The modelled fleet development leads to a transport fuel demand and constitutes the basis on which penetration and distribution of alternative motor fuels - and availability thereof - are analysed. The impacts of key parameters on the achievement of the RED 10% target are analysed in sensitivity cases.JRC.DDG.F.9-Sustainable Transport (Ispra

WELL-TO-WHEELS Report version 4.a : JEC WELL-TO-WHEELS ANALYSIS

The JEC research partners [Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, EUCAR and CONCAWE] have updated their joint evaluation of the well-to-wheels energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for a wide range of potential future fuel and powertrain options. This document reports on the fourth release of this study replacing Version 3c published in July 2011. The original version was published in December 2003.JRC.F.8-Sustainable Transpor

Decarbonization potential of on-road fuels and powertrains in the European Union and the United States: a well-to-wheels assessment

Transportation is fundamental for any modern economy, but its growing energy demand and the related climate impact call for urgent action. Life-cycle analysis (LCA) is a suitable approach to assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) performance and decarbonization potential of transportation fuels and vehicle powertrains. Here, we assessed well-to-wheels (WTW) GHG emission reductions for a wide set of light-duty vehicle fuel and powertrain technologies used in the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) for their decarbonization potential. We focused on the similarities and differences of the results and the underlying methodologies and data of the two analyses. We evaluated the decarbonization potential of new fuel–vehicle systems in Europe and the United States in comparison to the baseline petroleum gasoline and diesel vehicles in each market. For the transportation fuels examined in both regions, waste-to-fuel technologies and drop-in renewable diesel fuels (biofuels) produced from residues offer the biggest opportunities for reducing per-energy-unit GHG emissions, but may be limited in scale-up potentials given feedstock availabilities, qualities, and logistics challenges. The potential benefits of electricity and hydrogen as fuels span a wide range, determined by the primary energy source and the potential deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. From a tank-to-wheels perspective, electric powertrains, with higher energy efficiency than internal combustion engines, provide incontrovertible evidence of GHG savings. For vehicle–fuel combined systems, the per km WTW results from GREET are generally higher than the JEC estimates, owing to greater vehicle fuel consumption attributable to larger vehicle sizes and more aggressive driving cycles in the U.S. This paper highlights key drivers of WTW fuel–vehicle system GHG emissions as well as opportunities and limitations to decarbonize light-duty transportation in Europe and the United States with promising alternative fuel production and vehicle powertrain technologies. Results show that major solutions in both regions are aligned, despite certain differences in the methodologies and results of the WTW analyses. As well as informing optimal selection of fuel and powertrain technologies for future vehicles, these findings are also useful in informing how existing vehicles can best be decarbonized through the use of renewable fuels and advanced powertrain technologies

EU renewable energy targets in 2020: Revised analysis of scenarios for transport fuels. JEC Biofuels Programme

This study provides a robust scientific assessment of different renewable energy implementation scenarios and their associated impacts on the RED 10% renewable energy target for transport. The primary focus is on road transport demand although all other transport modes (aviation, rail, inland navigation and off-road) have also been considered and would be important contributors towards reaching the renewable target and GHG reduction target.JRC.F.8-Sustainable Transpor

Life-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from renewable jet fuel production

Background: The introduction of renewable jet fuel (RJF) is considered an important emission mitigation measure for the aviation industry. This study compares the well-to-wake (WtWa) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission performance of multiple RJF conversion pathways and explores the impact of different co-product allocation methods. The insights obtained in this study are of particular importance if RJF is included as an emission mitigation instrument in the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Results: Fischer-Tropsch pathways yield the highest GHG emission reduction compared to fossil jet fuel (86-104%) of the pathways in scope, followed by Hydrothermal Liquefaction (77-80%) and sugarcane- (71-75%) and corn stover-based Alcohol-to-Jet (60-75%). Feedstock cultivation, hydrogen and conversion inputs were shown to be major contributors to the overall WtWa GHG emission performance. The choice of allocation method mainly affects pathways yielding high shares of co-products or producing co-products which effectively displace carbon intensive products (e.g., electricity). Conclusions: Renewable jet fuel can contribute to significant reduction of aviation-related GHG emissions, provided the right feedstock and conversion technology are used. The GHG emission performance of RJF may be further improved by using sustainable hydrogen sources or applying carbon capture and storage. Based on the character and impact of different co-product allocation methods, we recommend using energy and economic allocation (for non-energy co-products) at a global level, as it leverages the universal character of energy allocation while adequately valuing non-energy co-products

Advanced Alternative Fuels: Technology Development Report

This Advanced Alternative Fuels Technology Development 2018 presents an assessment of the state of the art, development trends, targets and needs, technological barriers, as well as techno-economic projections until 2050. Particular attention is paid to how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. It includes an overview of Member States' activities based on information from the relevant SET Plan Temporary Working Groups as well as the objectives and main outcomes of the most relevant international programmes.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

JEC Well-to-Tank report v5: Well-to-Wheels analysis of future automotive fuels and powertrains in the European context

The JEC consortium is a long-standing collaboration among the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC), EUCAR (the European council for Automotive Research and development) and Concawe (the scientific body of the European Refiners’ Association for environment, health and safety in refining and distribution). The consortium periodically updates their joint evaluation of the Well-to-Wheels (WTW) energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, for a wide range of potential future powertrains and fuels options, within the European context. The present Well-To-Tank report belongs to a series of JEC WTW related reports where the process of producing, transporting, manufacturing and distributing a number of fuels suitable for road transport powertrains is described. The JEC WTT v5 assesses the incremental emissions (marginal approach) associated with the production of a unit of alternative fuel, with respect to the current status of production.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Sustainable Advanced Biofuel: Technology Development Report

This Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Technology Development 2018 presents an assessment of the state of the art, development trends, targets and needs, technological barriers, as well as techno-economic projections until 2050. Particular attention is paid to how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. It includes an overview of Member States' activities based on information from the relevant SET Plan Temporary Working Groups as well as the objectives and main outcomes of the most relevant international programmes.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Sustainable Advanced Biofuels: Technology Market Report

This Sustainable Advanced Biofuels Technology Market Report 2018 presents an assessment of the state of the art, development trends, targets and needs, technological barriers, as well as techno-economic projections until 2050. Particular attention is paid to how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. It includes an overview of Member States' activities based on information from the relevant SET Plan Temporary Working Groups as well as the objectives and main outcomes of the most relevant international programmes.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable